Ex-Man United star David Beckham becomes UK’s first billionaire sportsman
By BBC, May 15, 2026Former England captain David Beckham has become the United Kingdom’s first billionaire sportsman in the 2026 Sunday Times Rich List.
The collective wealth of Beckham and his wife, Victoria, has reached Ksh 204.49 billion, according to the compilers of the list. That places them second among sportspeople, behind the family of ex-Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone, whose wealth is calculated at Ksh 345.14 billion.
Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy is seventh with Ksh 56.08 billion after the 37-year-old golfer became a back-to-back Masters champion.
Meanwhile, Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has dropped from seventh to ninth in the UK overall, with his fortune having decreased by KSh 319.25 billion to KSh 2.62 trillion.
Former United midfielder Beckham is now a co-owner of American club Inter Miami, estimated to be Major League Soccer’s most valuable franchise at Ksh 200.25 billion.
The 51-year-old, who was knighted in November, is also a brand ambassador for companies such as Adidas and Hugo Boss. Victoria Beckham’s wealth has primarily been generated from her fashion label, having originally found fame as a member of the Spice Girls.
Eddie Hearn
Promoters Barry and Eddie Hearn have joined Britain’s billionaire club, with their combined wealth estimated at KSh 178.61 billion. Barry Hearn is the founder and president of Matchroom Sport, one of the leading promoters across boxing, darts, and snooker.
His son Eddie is Matchroom’s chairman and promotes British boxer Anthony Joshua, who is the eighth highest sports figure on the list with KSh 41.42 billion, one spot above his heavyweight rival Tyson Fury at KSh 27.96 billion.
Harry Kane
Seven-time F1 champion Sir Lewis Hamilton is fifth with KSh 75.07 billion, while England football captain Harry Kane and two-time Wimbledon champion Sir Andy Murray are joint 10th with KSh 18.98 billion.
On actual list of active sportmen, AL NAssr Cristiano Ronaldo topped the Forbes list of highest-paid athletes for the third consecutive year, while NBA star Stephen Curry moving up to second.
Lionel Messi, the best-paid Major League Soccer sportsman, was ranked fifth in the list of the 2025 highest-paid sportsmen released by the business magazine.