Australia’s biggest sporting stars have had a phenomenal year, with the top ten alone raking in a combined income of over $110 million this year.
But with Australian athletes making noise in virtually every sporting arena – from golf to basketball to surfing to racing – which star has earned ultimate bragging rights?
According to estimates by the AFR, the highest paid athlete Down Under took home $18.29 in 2017 – but a young star is hot on their heels and rocketing up the list.
Australian basketball star Ben Simmons, who is making waves in the NBA this year during his breakout season, is hot on the heels of the nation’s highest paid athlete
Golfing legend Jason Day (left, with wife), 30, has cemented himself as Australia’s highest paid sporting star at $18.29M this year after landing a mammoth $US10 million contract with Nike
Milwaukee Bucks NBA guard Matthew Dellavedova earned $12.49M this year, third highest
Golfing legend Jason Day, 30, has cemented himself as Australia’s highest paid sporting star after landing a mammoth $US10 million contract with Nike.
The former World Number 1, who hails from a small town an hour outside of the Gold Coast, also holds endorsement deals with insurer Zurich and tech company Concur.
Coming in at second place this year is NBA star Ben Simmons, who is enjoying an incredible rookie year with the Philadelphia 76ers after sitting out last season injured.
The basketball prodigy and Rookie of the Year favourite, who will earn just over $US6 million this season, will be able to command a huge salary when his contract ends.
Formula One driver Daniel Ricciardo came in at sixth place this year after earning $10.45 million, thanks to a fifth Grand Prix win and a sponsorship with Red Bull
cceroos hero Tim Cahill also made it onto the top 50 list after earning $2.5 million
Surfer Julian Wilson, 29, came in at 20th place on the list after earning $2.9M this year
Tennis firebrand proved he was not only a high achiever on the court, earning $3.32M this year
Six of the top ten earning Australian sporting stars play pivotal roles in their NBA teams, including Milwaukee Bucks guard Matthew Dellavedova ($12.49M), Utah Jazz small forward Joe Ingles ($10.65M) and Antonio Spurs guard Patty Mills ($9.29M).
Towering NBA centres Andrew Bogut ($8.84M) and Aaron Baynes ($7.04) round off the top ten list.
Formula One driver Daniel Ricciardo came in at sixth place this year after earning $10.45 million, thanks to a fifth Grand Prix win and a sponsorship with Red Bull.
Soccer proved to be a lucrative venture for Australians, with English Premier League players Aaron Mooy and Matthew Ryan earning $2.57 and $2.5 million.
Socceroos hero Tim Cahill also made it onto the top 50 list after earning $2.5 million.
Other well-known sporting figures to make the list include tennis firebrand Nick Kyrgios ($3.32M), surfer Julian Wilson ($2.9M), AFL stars Buddy Franklin ($1.35) and Dusty Martin ($1.35M) and NRL great Jonathan Thurston ($1.4M).
AFL stars Buddy Franklin ($1.35) and Dusty Martin ($1.35M) both squeezed into the top 50
Soccer proved to be a lucrative venture for Australians, with English Premier League player Aaron Mooy earning $2.57M