Beckham richest UK athlete with $184 million

LONDON – David Beckham has been confirmed as Britain’s richest athlete by the annual Rich List set to be published by The Sunday Times newspaper this weekend.

The 34-year-old former England captain has amassed a fortune estimated at 125 million pounds ($184 million), almost 40 percent greater than retired heavyweight boxer Lennox Lewis, who is in second place.

Beckham’s fortune, buoyed by his spells with Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles Galaxy and Italy’s AC Milan, put him tied for 426th overall in Britain, on a list which was headed last year by steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal.

In the list of athletes, the next seven places are occupied by current or former Formula One figures, with world championship leader Jenson Button tied for ninth place with England striker Michael Owen on 40 million pounds ($59 million).

The list is not restricted to British citizens. (AP)