Top paid NZ Sports people in 2006

English Premiership Blackburn Rovers Footballer (soccer) Ryan Nelsen's contract is around $4.25 million NZD per year.

US Indy Car racing driver Scott Dixon's seasons earnings almost got to $2 million NZD.

Golfer Michael Campbell's career earnings on the European PGA Golf tour are just under $20 million NZD. His USPGA tour career earnings are about $4.7 million NZD.

The top All Blacks (New Zealand's national Rugby Union team) including Richie McCaw (captain) and Dan Carter (top number 10 for 2006) are earning around $500 000 NZD per year. Each player in the team gets a $100 000 NZD bonus if they win the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France.

Tiger Wood's NZ caddie Steve Williams, if earning the usual 10% would have earned $1.4 million NZD. That makes Tigers year in purses at $14.4 million NZD.

Rugby League Star Sonny Bill Williams earns $450 000 NZD a year playing for the Canterbury Bulldogs in Sydney, part of the NRL (National Rugby League).

To put all this is perspective; Englishman David Beckham of English and Spanish Football fame has just signed a five year contract with the LA Galaxy in the US MLS (Major League Soccer) competition worth around $250 million NZD.

Well done David.