Rich list 2015: Who is the UK’s richest sports figure? And who wins the Wenger Mourinho wealth duel?
Lewis Hamilton is the UK’s richest sportsman, according to the Sunday Times’s Rich List.
The list reveals that Hamilton is worth £88m, with his wealth increasing by a massive 29.4 per cent from £68m last year. That means the Formula One world champion is now £4m better off than Wayne Rooney in second place and £18m ahead of former team mate Jenson Button.
Hamilton wasn't the biggest riser however. That honour went to Rory Mcllroy, the highest-ranked player in professional golf. Mcllroy saw his wealth balloon from £28m to £38m – a rise of 35.7 per cent.
Hamilton’s bumper new contract has helped his rise: he is apparently earning £27m a year to race for Mercedes. Rooney, in second place, is also well-paid: his £300,000-a-week salary translating to around £15.6m annually.
Andy Murray is another superstar on the list.
The British no one tennis player has the fifth-highest career earnings of any tennis player in history, and recently signed to endorse Under Armour and Standard Life in lucrative deals.
In the battle between football managers, Jose Mourinho came out on top, both on and off the pitch. The Chelsea manager is worth an estimated £40m compared to Arsene Wenger’s £38m.