Beckham Tops 2011 Sports Rich List

David Beckham 

David Beckham has once again been named as the richest footballer in the sports category of the The Sunday Times Rich List.

The list estimated Beckham’s fortune at £135 million, an amount that has risen significantly by £10m over the last year.Michael Owen was the second-richest UK-based footballer, coming 16th overall in the list with a personal fortune estimated at £40m.

Seven of the 11 wealthiest sports people in the UK and Irish Republic are current and former racing drivers, the Sunday Times sport rich list suggests.Lewis Hamilton (£50m) joined names like Johnny Dumfries (£110m) and Eddie Irvine (£80m) towards the top of list. Hamilton saw his wealth grow by £15m in the past year.

But the top two places stayed with Wigan chairman Dave Whelan (£190m) and David Beckham (£135m). No women earned enough to make the top 100.Boxer Lennox Lewis (£95m) and former rugby union player Sir Tony O'Reilly were the only other non-racers in the top 11, which saw three men tied in ninth spot.

Another big climber was Wayne Rooney, whose fortune increased by £4m to £37m, placing him in 17th place alongside England manager Fabio Capello.

Others who saw their wealth increase sharply in the past year include Fran Cotton and Steve Smith (both £28m), former rugby players and owners of the Cotton Traders sportswear company, and golfers Colin Montgomerie (£25m) and Luke Donald (£19m).

Out of the top 100 richest sportspeople, 51 are associated with football, 14 with motor racing and 11 with golf.

The Rich List estimates the wealth of the richest British citizens and individuals born overseas who predominantly work or live in the United Kingdom. The list estimates subjects' wealth from a range of identifiable factors such as land, property, racehorses, art or significant shares in publicly quoted companies. Bank accounts are not taken into consideration.

www.thesundaytimes.co.uk