Australia’s highest paid sports stars revealed
Australia’s 50 highest paid athletes have been revealed, with NBA basketballer Andrew Bogut topping the list after earning $16 million in 2014 alone.
Cricketers, golfers and basketballers dominated the BRW Top 50 Sports Earners list for 2014, with Adelaide-born golfer Adam Scott placing second at $15.5 million.
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Aged just 19, NBA rookie Dante Exum placed ninth with a contract worth $4.34 million, while Socceroos star Tim Cahill placed fifth at $5.5 million, mostly wages from the New York Red Bulls.
Cricket all-rounder Shane Watson beat skipper Michael Clarke as Australia’s highest paid cricketer, earning $4.5 million compared to Clarke’s $4 million.
Surfing world champion Stephanie Gilmore ($1.75 million) and golfer Karrie Webb ($1.28 million) were the only women to make the list.
Young tennis star Nick Kyrgios was listed by BRW as one to watch in 2015 after his quarter-final appearance at the Australian Open.
Gold Coast Suns player Gary Ablett was the only AFL footballer to make the top 50, taking home $1.5 million in 2014.
Wallaby star Israel Folau was the only Rugby Union player in the list, also earning $1.5 million.
Top 50 earners
1. Andrew Bogut – $16.2 million (basketballer)
In second year with NBA team Golden State Warriors
2. Adam Scott – $15.5 million (golfer)
Won 2013 US Masters
3. Jason Day – $10.65 million (golfer)
Finished 10th on US PGA Tour
4. Marcos Ambrose – $5.68 million (Nascar driver)
Prize money won on US Nascar circuit
5. Tim Cahill – $5.5 million (soccer player)
Earnings from contract with New York Red Bulls
6. Grant Balfour – $5.18 million (baseballer)
Relief pitcher for Tampa Bay Rays
7. Patrick Mills – $4.61 million (basketballer)
Contract with NBA champion with San Antonio Spurs
8. Shane Watson – $4.5 million (cricketer)
Australia’s highest-paid cricketer
9. Dante Exum – $4.34 million (basketballer)
Rookie contract with NBA team Utah Jazz
10. Mitchell Johnson – $4.1 million (cricketer)
Played for Indian Premier League team Kings XI Punjab
11. Michael Clarke – $4 million (cricketer)
Australian cricket captain with sponsorships with Spartan, BP and Hublot
12. David Warner – $3.8 million (cricketer)
Cricket star and brand ambassador for LG
13. John Senden – $3.43 million (golfer)
Vaslpar Champion on the US PGA Tour
14. Steve Smith – $3.1 million (cricketer)
Captained Australian Test team in Clarke’s absence
15. Marc Leishman – $3.07 million (golfer)
Finished in top 10 on US PGA Tour in 2014
16. Mile Jedinak – $3 million (soccer player)
Captain of English Premier League club Crystal Palace
17. Brett Holman – $3 million (soccer player)
Contract with El Nasr in United Arab Emirates league
18. James Faulkner – $2.8 million (cricketer)
Contract with for Rajasthan Royals in Indian Premier League
19. Mick Fanning – $2.7 million (surfer)
Earnings from Reef Bottle Opener Sandals
20. Aron Baynes – $2.7 million (basketballer)
Plays for NBA club San Antonio Spurs
The rest…
21 Daniel Ricciardo $2.6 million (F1 driver)
22 Ryan McGowan $2.5 million (soccer player)
23 Cadel Evans $2.5 million (cyclist)
24 Brad Haddin $2.5 million (cricketer)
25 Glenn Maxwell $2.4 million (cricketer)
26 Matt Jones $2.31 million (golfer)
27 Mitchell Starc $2.2 million (cricketer)
28 Geoff Ogilvy $2.17 million (golfer)
29 Steven Bowditch $2.08 million (golfer)
30 Julian Wilson $2 million (surfer)
31 Mark Bresciano $2 million (soccer player)
32 Mark Webber $2 million (racing driver)
33 Craig Lowndes $2m (V8 Supercars driver)
34 Joel Parkinson $1.8 million (surfer)
35 James Courtney $1.8 milion (V8 Supercars driver)
36 George Bailey $1.8 million (cricketer)
37 Aaron Finch $1.8 million (cricketer)
38 Stuart Appleby $1.77 million (golfer)
39 Stephanie Gilmore $1.75 million (surfer)
40 Jamie Whincup $1.6 million (V8 Supercar driver)
41 Taj Burrow $1.5 million (surfer)
42 Josh Kerr $1.5 million (surfer)
43 Israel Folau $1.5 million (rugby union player)
44 Will Power $1.5 million (IndyCar driver)
45 Brett Lee $1.5 million (cricketer)
46 Alex Leapai $1.5 million (boxer)
47 Gary Ablett $1.5 million (Australian rules football player)
48 Zac Purton $1.4 million (jockey based in hong Kong)
49 Michael Hussey $1.4 million (cricketer)
50 Karrie Webb $1.28 million (golfer)