The real big spenders: even JT lags behind some stars in the US

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

However, a transatlantic comparison of sports top earners shows the England and Chelsea captain's £130,000-per-week pay packet, equal to a £6.8million annual salary, is considered average pay among sports top earners in the United States.

As figures compiled by the Standard illustrate, the big stars in three of America's major leagues - American football, basketball and baseball - all command significantly higher salaries than Terry and the Premier League's other top earners, Michael Ballack and Andriy Shevchenko.

In some cases, notably Tiger Woods, earnings from playing sport appear loose change compared to sponsorship deals. In the last 12 months, the golfer earned an unprecedented £48m and only £6.3m of that in prize money.

Former Yankees baseball star Alex Rodriguez commands an incredible annual salary of £13.3m while New England Patriots defenseman Richard Seymour earns a massive £11.9m a year, though the NFL pays an average £528,000 due to a salary cap.

Basketball's NBA is the world's most lucrative league, paying an average salary of £2.6m per player. Major League Soccer players are relative paupers, earning on average £55,000 a year.

MLS's supposed saviour, David Beckham, stands out with a £25m-a-year salary with LA Galaxy, which includes sponsorship deals.

Refuting claims that Beckham had been a bad investment, LA Galaxy owner Tim Leiweke said he was proving his worth. He told the FT Sports Summit last week: "David's earned us more than we've paid him since he arrived. He's a commercial juggernaut."

Shadow Sports Minister Hugh Robertson criticised Sutcliffe because the Government has no legal powers to curb players' wages.

He said: "It's not the business of a Government minister to make remarks like that."