Mark Webber tops BRW's 2010 sport rich list

Webber's huge pay day comes on the back of a brilliant Formula One season where he just missed out on the world championship in the final race of the year.

The in-form Australian driver earned $13.4 million this year, $4.4 million up on 2009, when he finished fourth.

Greg Norman, Australia's highest earning sports star for the last 15 years, plummeted out of the top 10 in 2010.

Gallery: This year's top 10

Norman blames personal issues (including his second marriage break-up followed by a third wedding) and the depreciating US dollar for his massive loss in earnings.

Although global economic woes caused the earnings of most foreign-based stars to fall, BRW Rich Lists Editor Andrew Heathcote said the best earning opportunities remain off shore.

"It is still very difficult to earn massive salaries in Australia," he said. "Hundreds of footballers earn good money at home but even our highest paid footballers still don't earn as much as a diverse range of overseas based athletes."

In other notable developments:

* Samantha Stosur is the only woman to make this year's list, storming into 15th position with $2.9 million

* NBA basketball star Andrew Bogut takes out second place for the second year running with $12.6 million

* Motor sport stars Chad Reed ($7.5 million) and Casey Stoner ($6.8 million) come in third and fourth, respectively

* Ricky Ponting remains our highest paid cricketer ($3.9 million)

* Golfer Michael Sim is this year's highest new entry in 30th, with $1.6 million, whilst World Snooker Champion Neil Roberson earns a debut spot in 47th position

BRW's top 10 Australian sports earners:

1.    Mark Webber ($13.4m)
2.    Andrew Bogut ($12.6m)
3.    Chad Reed ($7.5m)
4.    Casey Stoner ($6.8m)
5.    Tim Cahill ($4.2m)
6.    Marcos Ambrose ($4.2m)
7.    Adam Scott ($4.1m)
8.    Ricky Ponting ($3.9m)
9.    Robert Allenby ($3.6m)
10.    Harry Kewell ($3.5m)

Last year's list:

1.    Greg Norman ($15m)
2.    Andrew Bogut ($14m)
3.    Harry Kewell ($9.5m)
4.    Mark Webber ($9m)
5.    Chad Reed ($8.8m)
6.    Geoff Ogilvy ($6.34m)
7.    Marcos Ambrose ($5.44m)
8.    Casey Stoner ($5m)
9.    Robert Allenby ($4.93m)
10.    Tim Cahill ($4.6m)