David Beckham has topped a list of the richest people in sport in the UK and Ireland, BBC News reported.

The LA Galaxy footballer, 37, was in pole position with a fortune of £160m, according to the annual Sunday Times sport rich list.

In terms of the world's richest athletes, Mr Beckham was only 10th, as golfer Tiger Woods led with £538m.

Tennis player Maria Sharapova was the richest female athlete, with earnings boosted by lucrative endorsement deals.

There were 48 footballers in the top 100 in the UK and Ireland.

But the second place after Mr Beckham went to Paul Caddick, the property and construction entrepreneur who runs rugby league club Leeds Rhinos.

No current British or Irish athletics competitor - that is, a cyclist, track and field athlete or swimmer - made the top 100 in the year of the London Olympics.

Last year, Mr Beckham was number two with Wigan chairman Dave Whelan in first place at £190m.

Globally, in 2012, Mr Woods was followed by German Formula One driver Michael Schumacher and basketball legend Michael Jordan.