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BRW Top 50 Sports Earners for 2012

Here are the top earning Australian sports people for the year 2012, as published by the Business Review Weekly (BRW) magazine. Only the top 10 of their "Top 50 Sports Earners" list is shown. The list is compiled by BRW journalists and includes gross wages, prize money, sponsorships and endorsements. See other BRW Top Earners from other years, and also how these compare to the international top earner lists.



The Top 50 Sports Earners was dominated by the sports of soccer, golf and cricket, which accounted for more than half of this year’s list. Andrew Bogut was the first basketballer to top the list in 2011 (he was second in 2009 and 2010), and has done it again this year. There were nine cricketers in the top 50, with Michael Clarke leaping ahead of Shane Watson into 5th spot. It is an indication of cricket is becoming more lucrative for the elite players.

Out of the other popular Australian sport, there were four Aussie Rules footballers in the Top 50 Sports earners, the highest ranked Gold Coast Suns player Gary Ablett with $2 million.

There were just two women on the list this year, as there was in 2011. Tennis player Samantha Stosur reduced her earnings since last year (4 to 2.5 million) but still made the list at 20, with showjumper Edwina Tops-Alexander (#38) replacing surfer Stephanie Gilmore in the list.

Rank Name Sport Earnings ($AUD) last year
1 Andrew Bogut Basketball $13.5 million 1
2 Mark Webber Motorsport $12.0 million 3
3 Adam Scott Golf $10.5 million =7
4 Casey Stoner Motorsport $8.0 million 2
5 Michael Clarke Cricket $5.5 million 10+
6 Luke Wilkshire Soccer $5.0 million 10+
=7 Cadel Evans Cycling $4.5 million 5
=7 Tim Cahill Soccer $4.5 million =7
=7 Shane Watson Cricket $4.5 million =10
=10 Grant Balfour Baseball $4.0 million =10
=10 Jason Day Golf $4.0 million =7

Source: BRW, December 12, 2012.



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