Rugby league players could soon be among Australia's wealthiest sports stars, despite not featuring on this year's sport rich list.
While many golfers, footballers and cricket stars featured on BRW’s annual list, the names of league players were noticeably absent.
Rugby League Players' Association boss David Garnsey said he was surprised not to see any league players represented, but thought this would change next year.
"As a consequence of the ($1 billion television) broadcast rights, rugby league is now in a much healthier financial state," he told The Sydney Morning Herald.
"That, together with the expected growth of the game under the Australian Rugby League Commission's strategic plan should ensure that the cap continues to rise, that representative payments continue to increase and should indeed result in rugby league players appearing in the top 50 in the future."
He said league players lagged behind other football codes because of a lack of global appeal.
US-based basketball player Andrew Bogut was the biggest earner in Australian sport this year, with an income of $13.5 million. He was followed by Formula One driver Mark Webber and golfer Adam Scott.
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