**Rory McIlroy Surges Past Sporting Rivals As Gareth Bale Falls From Rich List**
Rory McIlroy has cemented his position as the wealthiest young sportsperson in the UK, according to the latest Sunday Times Rich List, while former football star Gareth Bale has slipped out of the rankings entirely. The recently published list not only highlights McIlroy’s impressive financial ascent but also casts a spotlight on the shifting fortunes among leading British athletes under 40.
The Northern Irish golf champion’s spectacular season reached dizzying new heights last month when he finally captured his elusive Masters title, defeating Justin Rose in a closely fought play-off at Augusta. Notably, this win made McIlroy only the sixth golfer ever to achieve a career Grand Slam, having already secured titles in The Open, US Open and PGA Championship.
His performance on the fairways has been handsomely rewarded. The fabled green jacket from the Masters was accompanied by a record £3.2 million in prize money, catapulting his total net worth to an eye-watering £260 million, the Sunday Times report revealed on Friday. This figure is up £35 million from the previous year and places McIlroy not only at the summit of sporting youth wealth, but also as the 19th most affluent under-40 in the entirety of the UK.
Behind McIlroy’s financial muscle are both his competitive income—totalling around £140 million in prize money—and lucrative sponsorship contracts. Throughout his distinguished career, deals with leading companies such as Nike, Omega, and TaylorMade have significantly supplemented his earnings and sealed his status as a marketable star well beyond the greens.
Conspicuous by its absence, however, is the name of Gareth Bale. A fixture on last year’s under-40s Rich List thanks to a then-net worth of £70 million, the Welsh football icon has not amassed sufficient further wealth to remain in this year’s top 40. Bale’s departure from the ranking marks the end of an era for the former Real Madrid winger, whose playing days once saw him secure contracts reportedly worth up to £600,000 per week.
Although Bale’s overall wealth had reached as high as £120 million at its peak, his post-football activities have not bridged the gap. Business pursuits have seen him invest in hospitality ventures in Cardiff and Bristol, a stake in Penderyn Distillery, and a role in Tiger Woods and McIlroy’s innovative TGL golf league. Yet, even with diverse interests, Bale’s fortune could not keep pace with the rapid rises seen elsewhere in sport.
In terms of immediate sporting rivals, Anthony Joshua emerges as McIlroy’s closest competitor within the 40 Under 40 club. The heavyweight boxer, ranked 24th on the list, holds a fortune estimated at £195 million, helped by a robust portfolio of properties reportedly worth up to £100 million and high-profile bouts that continue to bolster his bank balance—even in defeat.
Further down the pecking order stands Sir Andy Murray, the Scottish tennis hero, who is currently ranked 35th and valued at £110 million. Murray’s impressive career earnings from prize money are complemented by endorsements from global brands including Jaguar, Under Armour and Head. He also owns the exclusive Cromlix House hotel and maintains an enviable property collection.
Football remains powerfully represented on the list as well, with England captain Harry Kane positioned in 38th place, advertising a personal wealth of £100 million. Since joining Bayern Munich last year, Kane has commanded one of the most lucrative weekly salaries in football, reportedly earning £400,000 per week and residing in a lavish, £30 million Bavarian mansion.
Outside of sport, the 40 Under 40 is topped by Dmitry Bukhman, the co-owner of gaming giant Playrix, with an astonishing net worth of £12.54 billion. Meanwhile, the list includes various entertainment figures such as Daniel Radcliffe, Dua Lipa, Ed Sheeran and Harry Styles—all of whom trail the high-flying fortunes of the top athletes.
Of note, Formula 1 star Sir Lewis Hamilton, last year’s leading sports figure on the list, was ineligible this year having turned 40, though he retains the accolade of Britain’s richest active sportsperson with a net worth of £385 million, maintaining a significant presence outside the under-40 category.
The Rich List, then, reflects not merely the shifting financial fortunes of Britain’s athletic elite, but also the evolving landscape of opportunity and enterprise that defines modern sport. With McIlroy, Joshua, Murray and Kane each finding unique paths to prosperity, the coming years may yet see further upheaval—and perhaps a return for some familiar names.