Sport is back and it’s bigger than ever.

Live sport — and the paypackets of those who make a living from it — took a hit at the start of the pandemic, as lockouts, halted leagues and suspended broadcasts hit hard.

But with the aid of bubbles, hubs and Covid protocols, sport returned and has been key to lifting the spirits of fans worldwide.

As the world returned to normal — the new normal anyway — the paypackets of athletes who were forced to take cuts to salaries and sponsorship earnings to keep their various leagues alive, started to bounce back to pre-pandemic levels.

Australia’s top 100 sports earners in 2021 include athletes from a range of sports — all professional — while six women have also made the list, including one who has pushed into the top five.

RICH 100 SPORT STARS: 100-51

100. Patrick Dangerfield (AFL) - $950,000

Dangerfield landed in Geelong after playing 154 games with the Adelaide Crows and in his very first season at the Cattery, won the Brownlow Medal. A keen fisherman, Dangerfield is a part of the Reel Adventures crew, while he has also done HotWheels advertisements in the past.

99. Marika Koroibete (Rugby Union) - $960,000

The Wallabies’ most dangerous attacking weapon left Australian rugby to take up a huge offer from Japanese Top League club Saitama Wild Knights. He’s no longer eligible to represent the national team unless Rugby Australia changes its selection rules.

98. Ash Taylor (Rugby league) $964,000

Taylor makes the list courtesy of the final year of a Gold Coast Titans deal in 2021 that made the playmaker one of the richest players in the league. But it’s the last time he’ll be here for a while. A former NRL rookie of the year, Taylor’s deal was more on potential than performance and he will play for the New Zealand Warriors this season for little more than minimum wage.

97. John Millman (Tennis) - $970,000

Millman’s ranking may have slipped into the 90s from a high in the 30s at the start of last year but he still pushed close to $1 million in prizemoney when his singles and doubles efforts are combined. Throw in a clothing deal with Lotto and racquet sponsorship from Tecnifibre, and he’s pushing seven figures.

96. Brodie Grundy (AFL) - $975,000

One of the competition’s most dangerous ruckmen, Grundy signed a seven-year contract early in 2020, tying him to the Pies until 2027. Off-field, Grundy is a Wolf Blass wine ambassador, while he has also featured on the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation ‘Love the Game’ campaign.

95. Chaz Mostert (Supercars) - $1 million

The only Supercars driver to make the list after Jamie Whincup retired from full-time driving, Mostert drove his way to the top of the V8 rich list when he won last year’s Bathurst 1000. Earning an estimated $750,000 a year to drive for Walkinshaw Andretti United, Mostert overtook Shane van Gisbergen as the sport’s top earning when he earned another $250k in Bathurst bonuses and sponsorship deals.

94. Moises Henriques (Cricket) – $1 million

Was surprised to find himself the centre of a bidding war to go for $745,000 in last year’s IPL auction for the King’s XI Punjab. Missed out on a CA deal but is contracted to NSW and the Sydney Sixers.

93. Dan Christian (Cricket) - $1 million

The talented T20 journeyman picked up an $851,000 IPL deal with Royal Challengers Bangalore and at age 38 continues to show solid form for the Sydney Sixers.

92. Kalyn Ponga (Rugby League) - $1m

Came in at No.8 on the NRL Rich 100 last year but could lay claim to top billing after including a seemingly never-ending list of endorsement deals. From Nike, to Steeden, to OAS Technology, to Maddison and Kayo, there’s a reason why the 23-year-old is arguably the most marketable player in the league, and a blue-chip target for incoming franchise, the Dolphins.

91. Cameron Munster (Rugby League) - $1m

Ranked No.6 in the NRL Rich 100 last season, the Storm star earns about $950,000 as a five-eighth with Melbourne. But with State of Origin games and endorsement deals with the likes of Puma, Tradie, Musashi, and Kayo, he quickly rises to become one of the highest paid players in the game today.

90. Nathan Walker (Ice Hockey) - $1.034m

The first Australian drafted by an NHL team, Walker is having the most consistent season of his career, having played nine games in 2021-22 in the NHL, rather than the secondary American Hockey League, where he has spent much of his career since signing with the Washington Capitals. That consistency has helped him push over $1 million in earnings for the first time from an upgraded contract.

89. Riley McGree (Football) - $1.04 million

The Adelaide product pushed into the $1 million club in 2021 after signing with US Major League Soccer expansion side Charlotte before being loaned to English Championship club Birmingham City. But he will move up the rankings in 2022, after Middlesborough won a bidding war for his permanent signature, with his earnings set to be almost $40,000 a week in 2022.

88. David Fifita (Rugby League) - $1.05 million

Officially takes over as Gold Coast’s money man following the exit of Ash Taylor, who failed to live up to his million-dollar price tag. Like Taylor, Fifita, whose $1.05 million salary is also propped by State of Origin payments, made a dramatic move south from ‘big brother’ Brisbane, and now carries the burden of leading the Titans to the promised land.

87. Cameron Percy (Golf) - $1.1 million

Two top-10 finishes — including a best of tied seventh at the Peuto Rico Open — was enough to push the 47-year-old’s winnings over the $1 million mark for 2021. He’s back on course again this season hoping to make his mark on the PGA tour.

86. Nat Fyfe (AFL) - $1.1 million

The 30-year-old Fyfe is one of Fremantle’s most decorated players, having captained the side since 2017 and winning two Brownlow Medals. Rumoured to be dating Australian cricket star Ellyse Perry, the pair would make arguably Australian sport’s most marketable couple given Perry only just missed making this list herself.

85. Tom Trbojevic (Rugby League) - $1.1m

Ranked fourth on the NRL Rich 100 last season, and his status would’ve been only been enhanced with a historic individual season that culminated in the prestigious Dally M Medal. His $1.1 million annual salary is already topped by State of Origin and Kangaroos match payments, as well as deals with Toyota and Kayo.

84. James Tedesco (Rugby League) - $1.1m

One of the biggest names, playing for one of the biggest clubs, with one of the biggest pay packets in the game. Throw in his State of Origin and Kangaroos payments, together with his sponsorship deals with Nike, Brut, Lending Association and Kayo, and it’s no wonder why Tedesco is arguably the biggest star in the NRL.

83. Ben Hunt (Rugby League) - $1.1m

Has been one of the league’s most maligned players since landing one of the most lucrative deals to join St George Illawarra worth around $1.1 million a season. Representative payments with the Kangaroos and Queensland, as well as a sponsorship deal with XBlades, ensures Hunt is well compensated for dealing with the weight of expectation.

82. James Duckworth (Tennis) - $1.15 million

Pinched winnings of more than a million dollars on the ATP Tour in 2021, where results included a quarter-final finish at the ATP Masers in Paris, to go with sponsorship deals from Athletic DNA apparel, Adidas shoes and Babolat racquets.

81. Alexei Popyrin (Tennis) - $1.12m

Some strong results, including a win over Stefanos Tsitsipas at the Paris Masters helped Popyrin amass more than $1.1 million, an amount that’s bolstered by shoe, clothing and racquet sponsorships.

80. Trent Sainsbury (Football) - $1.18m

The Perth product picked up more than $1 million in salary playing for Belgian first division club KV Kortrijk, while the star defender also received match payments playing for the Socceroos and earned his 50th cap for the national team last year.

79. Samu Kerevi (Rugby Union) - $1.2 million

Made the move to Japanese Top League side Suntory following the 2019 World Cup for a contract that was $400,000 a year more than Rugby Australia was offering. Made a shock return to the national set-up last year, playing sevens at the Olympics before playing several Tests for the Wallabies and earning a nomination for world player of the year.

78. Jack Miller (MotoGP) - $1.2m.

Australia’s MotoGP star doesn’t quite pull the multimillion-dollar deals of rivals like Marc Marquez, but with key sponsors like Caterpillar and Red Bull, the Ducati team rider is earning seven figures every year. Fellow Aussie Remy Gardner, in his rookie year, won’t be on the same pay as Miller but win a few races and the dollars will start rolling in.

77. Tim Paine (Cricket) - $1.2 million

The former Australian captain was not one of the top five players on the CA contract list but still earned a seven figure salary.

76. Daly Cherry-Evans (Rugby League) - $1.2 million

Tops the NRL Rich 100 at $1.2 million a season for Manly. Rakes more in as Queensland captain and halfback, but could face a challenge from Nathan Cleary as the Kangaroos No.7. Sponsorship deals with Nike, Ampol and Lending Association means no one cashes in more than the classy playmaker.

75. Tommy Berry (Jockey) - $1.2 million

Won four Group 1 races during 2021 and five races worth more than $1m including the $3.5m Golden Slipper aboard Stay Inside. Also won the $1.35m Kosciuszko.

74. Mathew Leckie (Football) - $1.2 million

Leckie secured a transfer ome from Hertha Berlin last year after playing in Germany for the past decade. While his duties there, for Melbourne City in the A-League and as Socceroos captain pushed his earnings into the seven-figure range in 2021, expect that to dip markedly this year as he remains in the domestic league and rejects some international fixtures due to the demands of international travel in the pandemic.

73. Dustin Martin (AFL) - $1.25m

Richmond star Dusty is one of the most marketable players in the AFL. He’s not only the first man to win three Norm Smith Medals, he’s also kicking goals off the field, working with brands such as Bonds and Nike.

72. Jeremy McGovern (AFL) - $1.25m

The West Coast Eagles high-flying defender signed a lucrative contract extension halfway through the 2018 season. He’s made his name as one of the best intercept defenders in the competition.

71. Hugh Bowman (Jockey) - $1.25m

‘Only’ won three Group 1 races in 2021 but landed the big money features The Golden Eagle ($7m), All-Star Mile ($5m), Magic Millions 2YO ($2m), Inglis Millenium ($2m) and The Hunter ($1m).

70. Peter and Paul Snowden (Racehorse trainers) - $1.25m

Not the biggest year by Snowden standards but still a strong showing sitting fifth on the national trainers prizemoney list. Snowden Racing delivered 122 winners with the big prizemoney returned by Wild Ruler who won two $1m races.

69. Michael Hooper (Rugby Union) - $1.25 million

The only Australian rugby union player earning seven figures, Wallabies captain Hooper is the face of the game here. Having given up 60 per cent of his wage in 2020 to help the game cope with the financial loss of cancelled games, Hooper recouped the money with a rich stint at Japanese club Toyota Verblitz last year.

68. Jock Landale (Basketball) - $1.271m

Landale is on the smallest wage out of the Australian NBA stars, but he has just arrived in the world’s best league via stints in Europe and the NBL. Watch for his money to rise in the coming seasons if he can maintain his current form at the San Antonio Spurs.

67. Sam Stosur (Tennis) - $1.3m

The former US Open champion picked up just over $1 million in prizemoney which is bolstered by support from sponsors including Asics and Head. Value to sponsors could take a hit in 2022 given she has just retired from the singles circuit.

66. Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr (Racehorse trainers) - $1.35m

Took out the $7m Golden Eagle with I’m Thunderstruck and picked up shares in more than $13.5m in prizemoney from 134 winners in 2021, giving them a big payday.

65. Massimo Luongo (Football) - $1.37m

Comes off contract with Sheffield Wednesday this year and could struggle to attract a new deal after a couple of injury-hit seasons that also cost him his Socceroos place.

64. Jordan Berry (American football) - $1.4m

A former Australian Rules footballer, Berry put his booming kick to use in college in the United States before picking up an NFL deal as a punter. Shuffled from Pittsburgh to Minnesota last year picking up a one-year deal to play with the Vikings.

63. Nathan Lyon (Cricket) - $1.4 million

Generally slides into the CA contract list behind the big quicks and top batsmen and could outlast them all given his likely longevity.

62. Adam Gotsis (American football) - $1.4 million

The defensive linesman played a strong part in Jacksonville’s campaign this season and after playing out his one-year contract, will be sweating on a decision for the 2022 season.

61. Mitch Wishnowsky (American football) - $1.5 million

The former Perth tradie’s hopes of becoming the first Aussie to play in a winning Super Bowl team were crushed by the Los Angeles Rams in a last-gasp playoff thriller on Monday afternoon. Punter Wishnowsky will line up again with the San Francisco 49ers next season hoping to replicate his 2020 efforts and make the final game of the season.

60. Ajla Tomljanovic (Tennis) - $1.5m

The world No.43 earned $1.46 million in prize money last year which, when topped up by sponsorship deals pushes her to $1.5 million — a figure that could increase sharply if her ranking continues to climb.

59. Samantha Kerr (Football) - $1.5 million

With a $600,000 deal with English Premier League club Chelsea, and another $400,000 with Football Australia, Kerr hits the million-dollar mark on salary alone, while her endorsement deals, including a hefty sponsorship from Nike make her one of the most handsomely paid women in Australian sport.

58. Stephanie Gilmore (Surfing) - $1.5 million

The first woman in surfing to earn a million-dollar sponsorship, the seven-time world champ remains a bankable commodity for backers despite having been outperformed by current world champ Carissa Moore for the last few years. On top of more than $200,000 in prizemoney last year, Gilmore has deals with a plethora of high-profile sponsors including Roxy, Nikon Australia, Breitling watches and Audi.

57. Robert Whittaker (UFC) - $1.5m

Has only fought once in the past 12 months but he remains one of Australia’s favourite fighters, earning close to $1m every time he pulls on the gloves. ‘The Reaper’ also boasts his own clothing line and sponsors including Samsung, Musashi and Bethesda Softworks.

56. Lance Franklin (AFL) - $1.5m

Franklin’s off-season move after the 2013 AFL season was one of the biggest trades of all time. The former Hawk and now Swan has been the premier forward of the competition for over a decade and was the last man to kick 100 goals in a season (2008). Not to mention the extra attention he has brought AFL in NSW.

55. Tom Rogic (Football) - $1.570m

The attacking midfielder has been reunited with Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou at Celtic where he has been since 2013. Salary bolstered by Socceroos match payments and personal sponsorship deals.

54. Mitchell Starc (Cricket) - $1.6m.

Is ranked Australia’s No 4 player on the 17-man contract list. Has withdrawn from this month’s IPL auction where he could have expected to match his seven figure salary with Australia.

53. Riley Meredith (Cricket) - $1.7 million.

The Tasmanian quick earned the biggest IPL deal ever to an uncapped player when he signed a $1.4 million deal with The Kings XI Punjab to go with a Tasmania and Big Bash contract with the Hurricanes.

52. Marnus Labuschagne (Cricket) - $1.7 million.

Yet to crack the top five on Cricket Australia’s contract list but is heading that way. His $1 million-plus deal with CA is complemented with smaller ones with the Brisbane Heat and English county Glamorgan.

51. Jason Scrivener (Golf) - $1.75 million

The West Aussie finished the European Tour in 21st place overall last year after performing well in 17 tournaments, including the Abu Dhabi Championship, where he finished in second place overall.

50. Mick Fanning (Surfing) - $1.8 million

Despite having retired in 2018, Fanning continues to be one of the most marketable surfers. Signed a 10-year deal with Rip Curl in 2019 that still brings in more than $1m a year and has several other blue-chip sponsors, such as Red Bull, Dragon sunglasses and Creatures of Leisure, among his supporters

49. Aaron Finch (Cricket) - $1.8 million

Though his Test days are over, he maintains a solid ranking on Australia’s contract list due to the fact he is the T20 and 50-over national captain. Missed out on an IPL deal.

48. Josh Hazlewood (Cricket) - $1.9 million

An ever-present in the top five of Australia’s contract list, where his salary floats around $1.4m as the No.5-ranked Australian player. He also signed a $390,000 deal to play in the IPL with the title-winning Chennai Super Kings, though he missed the first part of the tournament.

47. Jack Haig (Cycling) - $2 million

Made a surprise move to Bahrain-Victorious last year, and the move paid huge dividends. He landed a podium finish in the Tour of Spain to trigger a handy bonus with the government-owned team.

46. Rohan Dennis (Cycling) - $2 million

The superstar sprinter, who was on a $2.3m salary with Team Bahrain-Merida three years ago, has switched teams again – linking with Jumbo-Visma. Won bronze in Tokyo, which comes with a $10,000 bonus from the AOC.

45. Alexander Volkanovski (UFC) - $2 million

Since becoming the champ and defending his title twice, the Shellharbour native’s earning capacity has dramatically increased. Apart from larger fight purses and a share of PPV points, the 33-year-old has landed a number of key sponsors and also does some coaching with the St George Illawarra NRL club.

44. Will Power (IndyCar) - $2 million

While he did not get near the $5m he earned in 2018 after winning the Indy 500, Power still earned an estimated $500,000 in prizemoney on top of his Team ­Penske salary.

43. Scott McLaughlin (IndyCar) - $2 million

On an estimated salary of almost $1m a year when he quit Supercars to become an IndyCar driver, McLaughlin has doubled his earnings since heading to the US. On a base salary of about $1m to drive for Penske Racing, bonuses and sponsorships nudge McLaughlin into the rich list. Banked $US151,305 in prizemoney alone for finishing the Indy 500 in 20th place.

42. James McDonald (Jockey) - $2.1 million

Capped a remarkable year when he won the Melbourne Cup on Verry Elleegant after earlier landing the $15m The Everest on Nature Strip. In doing so, he delivered $38m in prizemoney.

41. Alex De Minaur (Tennis) - $2.1 million

Australia’s highest-ranked male player has a raft of sponsors including Asics, Wilson, Tag Heuer and Weet-Bix. While his deals are not in Roger Federer territory, they push his $1.57m prizemoney haul past the $2m mark.

40. Minjee Lee (Golf) - $2.15 million

Picked up her first major championship last year, winning the Amundi Evian Championship, coming from seven strokes behind in the final round to win in a playoff. The current world No.8 in the women’s rankings, Lee’s position on the Rich List, nine spots below younger brother and men’s world No.51 Min Woo, shows the disparity in prizemoney between the top men and women on tour.

39. Marcus Stoinis (Cricket) - $2.2 million

His wages are heading skywards due to a $2m deal with new IPL franchise Lucknow. Has a smaller deal with the Melbourne Stars.

38. Steve Smith (Cricket) - $2.3 million

Had an IPL haircut when Ricky Ponting’s Delhi Capitals picked him up for $390,000 after he had been on $2.2m at Rajasthan the year before. Is thought to be on around $1.6m as Australia’s No.2-contracted player.

37. Rod Pampling (Golf) - $2.4 million

Former PGA tour player now raking it on the PGA Cham­pions tour, alongside the likes of Bernhard Langer, Jim Furyk and Ernie Els. The 52-year-old won the Boeing Classic by a stroke last season from a trio that included Furyk to boost his earnings.

36. Michael Matthews (Cycling) - $2.5 million

Finished second in the points classification at the Tour de France last year to British sprint sensation Mark Cavendish in the first year of a new deal with Team BikeExchange. Was seventh in the points classification at the Vuelta, but did not ride the year’s other grand tour, the Giro d’Italia.

35. James Cummings (Racehorse trainer) - $2.5 million

The Godolphin blue delivered in spades when Cummings picked up $25m in prizemoney through the deeds of Colette, Cascadian and star colt ­Anamoe.

34. Ciaron Maher & David Eustace (Racehorse trainers) - $2.5 million

Won the Victoria Derby with Hitotsu after earlier in the year taking out three Derbies with Explosive Jack. Won 293 races across the country and $25m in prizemoney for the ­stable.

33. Paul Gallen (Boxing) - $2.5 million

The former NRL star has made a fortune in the fight game and 2022 looms as his final year in the ring, which means he will get a couple of huge paydays before walking off into the sunset.

32. Daniel Arzani (Football) - $2.65 million

On loan to Belgian second division side Lommel SK from Manchester City, where he signed in 2018 following a breakout year which included representing the Socceroos at the World Cup at just 19. Things have been tougher since then after a ruptured ACL and several loan deals but Arani is getting back to his best and justifying his lofty price tag.

31. Min Woo Lee (Golf) - $2.85 million

Makes the list nine places above older sister Minjee after pushing into the top 50 in the world in 2021. Won the Scottish Open in a playoff to earn a place in his first major championship, the British Open, where he missed the cut.

30. Caleb Ewan (Cycling) - $2.9 million

A rough year for Ewan, the Lotto Soudal sprinter whose dreams of picking up stage win in all three Grand Tours was ruined by a broken collarbone he suffered in the Tour de France.

29. Jhye Richardson (Cricket) - $3.1 million

The surging quick scored the deal of a lifetime when he signed on with Punjab Kings XI in the IPL for $2.48m on the back of a huge Big Bash. A mid-level CA contract would take him to the $3m mark.

28. Lucas Herbert (Golf) - $3.2 million

A strong record on the Euro Tour last year, including winning the Irish Open in July, led to Herbert winning his PGA tour card and he made an immediate impact, snaring the season-opening Butterfield Bermuda Championship last October for a $1.6m payday.

27. Michael Dickson (NFL) - $3.26 million

Another of the Aussie punters to have headed to college in the States before winning an NFL contract, Dickson plays for the Seattle Seahawks, who he joined after being taken at pick No.149 in the 2018 NFL draft and last year won a four-year $14.5m contract extension with the club.

26. Mat Ryan (Football) - $3.45 million

In the second year of his contract with Spanish side Real Sociedad after leaving English Premier League side Brighton and Hove Albion to join the La Liga giant as back-up keeper. Has an option for a third year in Spain and his services are in demand, having rejected a move to Celtic under manager Ange Postecoglou in favour of heading to Spain.

25. Matt Jones (Golf) - $3.5 million

Won his second PGA tour title in 2021, clinching the $1.26m winner’s purse seven years after he claimed his first tour win. Likely to be on the list again next year after a strong start to the 2022 PGA season.

24. Glenn Maxwell (Cricket) - $3.5 million

The enigmatic all-rounder has always been a man in demand on the white-ball circuit, where his $2.52m contract with the Royal Challengers Bangalore was supplemented by a Cricket Australia deal thought to be about a third the size.

23. Nick Kyrgios (Tennis) - $3.5 million

Earnt just over $550,000 last year in prizemoney but has picked up a raft of sponsorship deals in the past two years since changing management and revamping his image despite hardly playing during the pandemic. He’s never going to be the clean-cut poster boy but Kyrgios has matured off the court and his authenticity is hugely attractive to younger fans. Demonstrated his pulling power over the past fortnight and is likely to be able to translate that into cash.

22. Matisse Thybulle (Basketball) - $3.903 million

Thybulle is on a three-year contract at Philadelphia but unlike Ben Simmons, he’s actually giving them bang for buck right now. The Sydney-raised swingman has used his bronze medal-winning Olympic stint with the Boomers to become a better NBA player – a beast on the defensive end, while his offensive game is building momentum on the back of hard work.

21. Josh Green (Basketball) - $4.1 million

The Sydney-born shooting guard who contemplated an AFL career has done well for himself. Green had accepted an offer to join the GWS Giants junior development academy before he relocated to America with his family, and he pursued a career in basketball – a sliding doors moment it’s fair to say has worked in his favour.

20. David Warner (Cricket) - $4.1 million

Warner has been one of ­Australian cricket’s biggest earners for more than a decade. His $2.4m IPL deal with the Sunrisers, combined with a contract of around $1.4m as Australia’s No.3-ranked ­player, form the bulk of his earnings.

19. Cameron Johnston (NFL) - $4.2 million

A former Aussie rules player who was on Melbourne’s list in 2011, Johnston used his skill set to get to the NFL as a punter, going to college at Ohio State before winning a futures contract and then playing in the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles. Johnston heads into the top 20 courtesy of a $1.4m signing bonus last year that was part of a three-year, $11.2m deal with the Houstan Texans.

18. Richie Porte (Cycling) - $4.5 million

Australia’s richest cyclist, the bulk of Porte’s annual salary comes from his slice of Ineos Grenadiers’ €50 million pie. After landing on the Tour de France podium in 2020, results have been a bit leaner in the past 12 months. Unlike many other sports, ­cyclists don’t have many ­endorsements or private deals, as they conflict with team sponsors.

17. George Kambosos Jr (Boxing) - $5 million

The new unified lightweight champion of the world earned a career-high $2.4m fighting Teofimo Lopez late last year, and now owns all four title belts. Kambosos Jr should get more for his first defence, while a host of new sponsors will come on board.

16. Jason Day (Golf) - $5 million

It’s a far cry from the days when he picked up $10m a year in sponsorship from Nike alone but Day remains one of the country’s top earners. The 2015 PGA champ earnt $1.8m in prizemoney and hopes to charge back up the charts in 2022 as he makes a return from an at-times crippling back injury.

15. Marc Leishman (Golf) - $5 million

Won the Zurich Classic of New Orleans with playing partner Cameron Smith to earn his sixth PGA Tour title. Also finished tied fifth at the Masters to show he is one of the most talented and consistent performers on the PGA Tour. As well as more than $4m in prizemoney, he has backers that push him to the $5m mark.

14. Chris Waller (Racehorse trainer) - $5.2 million

With wins in the $15m The ­Everest and $8m Melbourne Cup, Waller shattered the ceiling for trainers in this country. He banked more than $52m in prizemoney from 345 winners in 2021, including 13 at Group 1 level, and his 10 per cent earn pushes him into the upper echelons in this year’s list.

13. Tim Tszyu (Boxing) - $6 million

The most active world-rated boxer on the planet during the Covid pandemic, Tszyu has a huge year lined up, including his overseas debut and potential championship title fight. Australia’s leading pay-per-view fighter also has 30 individual sponsors that net him seven figures outside the ring.

12. Aaron Mooy (Football) - $6 million

In the second year of a deal with Chinese Premier League giant Shanghai Port, the midfielder reportedly makes about $115,000 a week. The 31-year-old left English Premier League club Brighton and Hove Albion to head to China and while many rated the move surprising, it has paid off.

11. Pat Cummins (Cricket) - $6 million

Cummins is the $6 million-dollar man of Australian cricket but that figure is likely to grow substantially as endorsements flow his way as a mega-marketable Australian captain. Australia’s highest-paid contracted played with a salary of around $2m, Cummins has completed a $3.2m Indian Premier League deal with the Kolkata Knight Riders with the promise of another big deal on the way in this month’s mega-auction.

10. Adam Scott (Golf) - $6.1 million

Still a huge name in the sport despite his world ranking slipping to No.43. The 2013 Masters champion is a global ambassador for Uniqlo and retains blue-chip sponsors such as Rolex in his portfolio, as well as adding more than $2m in prizemoney last year.

9. Patty Mills (Basketball) - $8.09 million

Mills isn’t one of the NBA’s biggest earners but the much-loved Boomers guard is worth more than money. He is reliable on the court and the ultimate culture guy off it with his team-first mantra. He also uses his earnings to help others, especially in the Indigenous community in Australia.

8. Josh Giddey (Basketball) - $8.2 million

Most of us were taking home minimal dollars at 19 but Melbourne’s Giddey will earn almost as much as an entire NRL club’s salary cap, and he is in his rookie season. He has backed up the hype, excelling for the Oklahoma City Thunder with record performances.

7. Cameron Smith (Golf) - $9 million

Australia’s highest-ranked golfer raked in $8m in prizemoney last year, while the man with one of the most famous mullets in sport is also a global brand ambassador for Titleist and positioning himself as an attractive long-term option for sponsors.

6. Jordan Mailata (NFL) - $15.2 million

Mailata signed a monster contract extension deal with the Philadelphia Eagles last year that will keep him among the highest earners on the rich list for years. The four-year deal worth $89.7m didn’t kick in until the 2021-22 season, meaning it wasn’t included in this year’s list, but he did receive a $14.02m signing bonus last year, which along with the $1.2m from the final year of his original contract tipped the former South Sydney junior rugby league players’ 2021 earnings through the roof.

5. Liam Hendriks (Baseball) - $16.8 million

Hendriks, 31, signed as a relieving pitcher for the Chicago White Sox in 2021 on a three-year deal worth $75m – the most expensive for a reliever in Major League Baseball history. Structured over four years, with guaranteed payments through until 2024, Hendriks received the first instalment and a signing bonus in 2021 of $16.8m, making the former Australian football tragic, who was on course for an AFL career, among Australia’s best-paid athletes in America’s national game.

4. Ash Barty (Tennis) - $17 million

The world No.1 continues to build an impressive sponsorship portfolio. Ten companies are backing the Barty Party to the tune of around $9m and more are set to come on board following the Australian Open win. The diverse collection of companies includes Fila, Head, Vegemite, UKG, Jaguar, Rado, Marriott, Uber Eats, Banana Boat and Esmi. Her second grand slam win last year earnt Barty $5.4m in prizemoney in 2021 and that got a healthy boost of $2.88m after Saturday night’s heroics.

3. Joe Ingles (Basketball) - $17.1 million

Ingles’ rise to the NBA from Adelaide, via the South Dragons in the NBL and European stints, is inspirational but don’t expect the swingman to let the bright lights and dollars give him a big head. The veteran Boomer has long spent large chunks of his significant wage on helping others, including underprivileged children and families. But after tearing his ACL this week while playing for the Utah Jazz, his future is in doubt given he is in the final year of his NBA deal.

2. Daniel Ricciardo (Formula One) - $35 million

Ricciardo is Australia’s richest race car driver. The Perth-born product earns more than $35m a year. While he wasn’t in the same league as Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton last year, he is on the pace when it comes to his salary. McLaren pays him a reported $32m a year. He also earns more than $3m in sponsorships that are external to his team.

1. Ben Simmons (Basketball) - $45.36 million

Simmons started on a trajectory as Australia’s greatest basketballer – now he is our highest paid couch potato in history given his involvement in arguably the ugliest trade standoff in NBA history continues. He hasn’t played a game since June last year and has now surpassed $26.5 million in fines this season (57 per cent of his salary) – an amount more than anyone on the Rich List but second-placed Daniel Ricciardo made last year.

But given he received his entire pay last season and the 25 per cent of 2021-22 salary paid to all players on October 1 last year, he remains ahead of Ricciardo on 2021 calendar-year earnings and retains top spot. Sadly, in Simmons’ case, no amount of money can help revive his NBA career. That responsibility now rests on Ben and Philadelphia reaching an agreement on a trade. Until then, the chaos continues, and Simmons will remain on the sidelines with his truckload of cash.