GREG Norman was almost responsible for the sports story of the year, just missing out on becoming the oldest major winner in history at this year's British Open, but the 53-year-old can console himself with the fact he again topped the annual BRW Top 50 Sports Earners' list.
In a year that included marriage to former tennis champion Chris Evert, Norman eclipsed last year's $20 million with $20.9 million this year. He has been Australia's highest-paid athlete for close to two decades.
In the top 50, 10 entrants come from motor sports and 15 from golf. Socceroo and Turkish-based player Harry Kewell again fills the No. 2 spot with $10.5 million, while motorcross rider Chad Reed leapt into third spot with $8.7 million.
Reed, originally from Kurri Kurri in NSW, was sixth on last year's rich list, while formula one driver Mark Webber slipped from third to fourth with $8.4 million.
Basketballer Andrew Bogut moved from seventh to fifth with $8.2 million.
Former Socceroos skipper Mark Viduka moved up three spots into seventh with $7.1 million, while Lucas Neill moved up to sixth with $7.7 million.
Golfer Adam Scott stayed in the top 10 with $5.8 million, but slipped from fourth spot last year.
Carlton skipper and 2004 Brownlow medallist Chris Judd squeezed into the top 50 with $1.1 million.
Golfers Katherine Hull (44th with $1.2 million) and Karrie Webb (48th with $1.1 million) are the only two women on this year's list.
Australian basketballers Lauren Jackson (48th last year) and Penny Taylor (50th) dropped out this year.
BRW editor-in-chief Sean Aylmer said the pair's commitment to the Beijing Olympics reduced their earnings.
He said Reed and superbike rider Mat Mladin, in ninth spot with $6.5 million, represented the enormous earning capacity in motor sports overseas. "The motorbike riders generally were the biggest movers, with (MotoGP rider) Casey Stoner again among the big earners," he said.
"Going forward, cricket is one of the categories we'd expect to see increase (on the list) because of the earning capacity in the IPL (Indian Premier League).
"We'll potentially see the top of the second level of cricketers doing pretty well."
Australian captain Ricky Ponting ($3.05 million) was among seven cricketers to earn more than $1 million.
The Top 10:
NAME SPORT 2008 EARNINGS ($m)
1. Greg Norman Golf 20.9
2. Harry Kewell Soccer 10.5
3. Chad Reed Motor sport 8.7
4. Mark Webber Motor sport 8.5
5. Andrew Bogut Basketball 8.2
6. Lucas Neill Soccer 7.7
7. Mark Viduka Soccer 7.1
8. Lleyton Hewitt Tennis 6.6
9. Mat Mladin Motor sport 6.5
10. Adam Scott Golf 5.8
Click on link below (Top Fifty) to view complete list
Top Fifty