David Beckham tops richest people in Sport List

6 May 2012 Last updated at 11:57 Share this pageEmail Print Share this page


David Beckham has topped a list of the richest people in sport in the UK and Ireland.

The LA Galaxy footballer, 37, was in pole position with a fortune of £160m, according to the annual Sunday Times sport rich list.

In terms of the world's richest athletes, Mr Beckham was only 10th, as golfer Tiger Woods led with £538m.

Tennis player Maria Sharapova was the richest female athlete, with earnings boosted by lucrative endorsement deals.

There were 48 footballers in the top 100 in the UK and Ireland.

But the second place after Mr Beckham went to Paul Caddick, the property and construction entrepreneur who runs rugby league club Leeds Rhinos.

No current British or Irish athletics competitor - that is, a cyclist, track and field athlete or swimmer - made the top 100 in the year of the London Olympics.

Last year, Mr Beckham was number two with Wigan chairman Dave Whelan in first place at £190m.

Globally, in 2012, Mr Woods was followed by German Formula One driver Michael Schumacher and basketball legend Michael Jordan.

David Beckham, 37, earned £6.5 million playing for L.A. Galaxy so between him and Victoria, they really have made a fortune.