Greg Norman tops list of Australia’s top earning sports stars

Greg Norman might be more well-known for his marital status than his golfing abilities these days, but his ability to attract sponsors and endorsements means he stays on top of the list of Australia’s highest earning sports stars for the 15th consecutive year.

According to BRW Magazine’s top 50 sports earners list, Norman pulled in $15 million in gross earnings (before agents fees, tax and other costs) in 2009, with just $300,000 coming from golf tournament prize money.

Second on the list was NBA basketball star Andrew Bogut, whose lucrative contact with US team the Milwaukee Bucks helped him earn $14 million. Bogut signed a five-year worth a minimum of $US60 million in mid-2008.

Soccer star Harry Kewell, who plays in Turkey, was third on the list with $9.5 million, while Formula 1 driver Mark Webber, who recorded his first grand prix victory this year, came in fourth with earnings of $9 million.

Motocross star Chad Reed, who owns a stake in the Australian SuperX league, rounded out the top five with earnings of $8.8 million.

The list underlines the key to making big money from sport – succeed in a sport that is global, or at least played in the lucrative markets of North America and Europe.

While soccer players, golfers and motor sport stars dominate the list, there are no AFL, NRL or rugby union players on the list.

However, Australia’s cricket stars have done well, with six making the list in total. Australian captain Ricky Ponting came in 12th place with earnings of $4.2 million, while Andrew Symonds, who was banished from the team last year for his poor off field behaviour, snuck onto the list in position 50 with earnings of $1.22 million.

Many of the cricketers have lucrative contracts with the Indian Premier League Twenty20 competition, although Ponting’s contract for 2010 was paid out by his team earlier this week.