Two prominent Premier League footballers, Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah, appear alongside British heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua in the UK’s top 100 taxpayers. The Sunday Times Tax List highlights Fred and Peter Done, founders of bookmaker Betfred, as the leading contributors with over £400 million in taxes paid over the past year. They share the list with figures such as singer Harry Styles, author JK Rowling, and former Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley. Each individual on the list has paid more than £11 million in taxes over a 12-month period, with nearly a third residing in London and the southeast.
The Premier League stands as Europe’s wealthiest competition, enabling clubs to offer substantial salaries to their players. This year’s list shows 100 high earners collectively contributing £5.758 billion in taxes, marking an increase from the £4.985 billion recorded the previous year.
Premier League Stars Lead Tax Contributions
Erling Haaland secures the 72nd position, becoming the youngest entrant on the list at age 25. He faces an estimated tax bill of £16.9 million, reflecting his status as the league’s top earner. The Norwegian striker commands £525,000 per week at Manchester City following a long-term contract extension in January 2025, which runs until 2034. Haaland joined the club in July 2022 from Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga.
Mohamed Salah also features prominently, with an estimated £14.5 million in taxes paid after extending his Liverpool contract in April of the previous year. The 33-year-old earns around £400,000 weekly, though speculation surrounds his future in English football. Discussions persist about a potential move to the Saudi Pro League this summer, where he remains a prime target for the Saudi Public Investment Fund. Al-Ittihad previously attempted a world-record bid that included a £2.45 million weekly salary, but it fell short.
Other Key Figures on the UK Tax List
Beyond the Done brothers, Haaland, and Salah, several recognizable names dominate the rankings. Mike Ashley, former Newcastle owner and current CEO of Sports Direct, appears among the top payers.
Anthony Joshua earns a spot after generating between £68.5 million and £70 million from his December fight against Jake Paul. The British boxer secured a knockout victory in the sixth round, creating one of boxing’s most lucrative bouts in history.
Promoter Eddie Hearn and his father Barry, key figures in Matchroom Boxing—which represents talents like former Undisputed Lightweight Champion Katie Taylor—together paid approximately £22.9 million in taxes over the year.
Grammy-winning singer Ed Sheeran, a devoted Ipswich Town supporter, ranks 64th with an estimated £19.9 million tax payment. Harry Styles makes his debut on the list, contributing £24.7 million as a lifelong Manchester United fan.
