Newcomers line the top of football rich list

Four Four Two magazine put out its richest in the sport list. An influx of new money and overseas investors has led to some changes in the list. Also, there is an absence of players on the roster, as the representation on the rich roster fell from 21 last season to 14 this year.

Only 14 players cracked the top 100, led by Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, whose worth is valued at GBP 10.8 million. David Beckham, renowned for being one of the wealthiest players in the game, only hit No. 45, coming in with a GBP 112 million.

A mix of 25 newcomers and overseas investors dot the list. Five of the newcomers make up the top 10.

Uzbek Alisher Usmanov, who has taken over a significant stake in English Arsenal is estimated at GBP 2.76 million. Bernie Ecclestone, the Formula One boss who took over Queen's Park Rangers, has an estimated worth of GBP 2.5 billion, while Mike Ashley at Newcastle United and Lord Ashcroft at Watford are new money, coming in at GBP 1.6 billion and GBP 950 million respectively.

There are a total of eight billionaires, who include Manchester United's Malcolm Glazer and Arsenal investor Stan Kroenke in the group as well.

Also hitting the billion club but not among the newcomers are Tottenham Hotspurs Joe Lewis, who trails only Abramovich with GBP 2.8 billion. Another veteran billionaire is Scottish Celtic majority shareholder Dermot Desmond at No 6 with GBP 1.4 billion.

Source: euFootball.BIZ © Copyright 2006 - All rights reserved.