SHAUN MURPHY SPLASHED OUT £37,000 ON NEW MERCEDES AND HOUSE AFTER WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL

Shaun Murphy discussed how he spent his World Snooker Championship prize money.

Shaun Murphy spoke about how he spent his World Snooker Championship prize money (Image: George Wood/Getty Images)

Shaun Murphy knew how he wanted to spend his prize money after winning the 2005 World Snooker Championship. The 43-year-old came agonisingly close to becoming a two-time winner, losing 18-17 to Wu Yize in the final, finishing runner-up for a fourth time.

Murphy was the same age as Wu is now when he rose from relative obscurity to take snooker’s top prize more than two decades ago. ‘The Magician’ triumphed 18-16 over Matthew Stevens in the final, having defeated the likes of Steve Davis and John Higgins during his run at the Crucible. It was a whirlwind experience for a player who had previously been ranked No.48 in the world. However, despite his surprise success, Murphy had a clear plan for his £250,000 prize money and buying a Mercedes was top of his list.

Shortly after his World Snooker Championship victory, The Telegraph reported that Murphy was in the process of buying a new £37,000 Mercedes. It had long been his dream to purchase the car, as he explained at the time.

"You know, I always had three goals as a kid growing up,” Murphy told The Telegraph in 2005, “To be world No 1, world champion and own a Mercedes. And at 22, I've got two out of three. Now I'm going to strive to be world No 1 and when I get there…”

A year on from becoming world champion, Murphy explained that his winnings had also allowed him to buy a house as an investment. Speaking to The Times, Murphy detailed his role in the house renovations: “I’m no good at the delicate stuff like choosing furnishings, but I’m good at smashing walls with a sledgehammer, like sending the cue ball into a pack of reds.”

Murphy clinched the world championship in 2005 (Image: Clive Rose/Getty Images)

Winning the world championship was the first of Murphy’s 13 ranking titles so far. Two decades on, he proved he remained at the top of the sport by winning the British Open and the Masters in 2025.

He has earned an eye-watering £7.1million in prize money during his career, according to CueTracker. Remarkably, Murphy was given £200,000 for reaching the world final this year, which is just £50,000 less than he received for becoming champion in 2005.

After congratulating Wu on his win, Murphy told BBC Sport: "I hate being right - I said sometime earlier in the season when we had a great game out in China somewhere, I won that one but I came out afterwards and said that he would be world champion one day.

It's just a real shame that it was today, but I couldn't have given it any more, I couldn't have tried harder. I played the best shots I could have played and I didn't get my chance. I couldn't do any more than that."

- Jake Bayliss

WORLD CUP WINNERS TO POCKET $50 MILLION

Fifa and its president Gianni Infantino have increased the size of the tournament and the prize money to boot. File photo: Reuters

 

The winners of the 2026 World Cup will receive US$50 million in prize money as part of a record financial contribution for the tournament from Fifa, world football's governing body announced on Wednesday.

The total World Cup prize fund of US$655 million (558.5 million euros) represents an increase of almost 50 percent from the US$440 million distributed to teams taking part in the last tournament in Qatar in 2022.

However, next year's World Cup – to be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19 – will be the first to feature 48 teams, a 50 percent increase from the 32 teams last time.

The Argentine Football Association received US$42 million in prize money after Lionel Messi inspired them to glory three years ago, when they won on penalties in the final against France.

France received US$30 million for their run to the final.

This time, the beaten finalists will pocket US$33 million, with the third-place finishers collecting US$29 million and the other defeated semi-finalists getting US$27 million.

Teams eliminated in the group phase will receive US$9 million, while all 48 participating nations will get an additional US$1.5 million to cover "preparation costs." 

- AFP

 

 

EXACT AMOUNT OF NONEY JAKE PAUL AND ANTHONY JOSHUA WILL EARN FROM FIGHT

In their controversial, yet highly anticipated heavyweight clash, Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua will face each other at the Kaseya Center in Miami on Friday, with both fighters set to take home an eye-watering sum of prize money from the Netflix-streamed event.

YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul was originally set to face lightweight world champion Gervonta Davis in an exhibition match last month, but the bout was cancelled after a domestic abuse lawsuit was filed against Davis in October. After a quick search for a replacement, Paul's team landed on two-time world heavyweight champion Joshua.

Unsurprisingly, AJ enters the ring on Friday as the overwhelming favourite, with some even criticising the bout as a dangerous mismatch. The Brit has been out of action for 15 months following a fifth-round KO defeat against Daniel Dubois at Wembley, but is still an Olympic gold medallist with a professional record of 28 wins (25 by KO) against the likes of Wladimir Klitschko, Joseph Parker, and Dillian Whyte, and only four losses.

The 36-year-old will expect a straightforward win ahead of what is promised to be a big 2026, which is set to include a February fight in Riyadh before a high-profile bout in September, potentially in the shape of his much-anticipated clash with Tyson Fury either in London or Saudi Arabia.

Meanwhile, Paul comes into this professional fight, with standard 10oz gloves and knockouts allowed, having only ever fought at heavyweight once — a unanimous decision win against a 58-year-old Mike Tyson. The American holds a professional record of 12 wins and one loss, coming against Tommy Fury in February 2023, and most recently fought against former middleweight world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, beating the Mexican on points in June.

For the highly controversial fight against Tyson, Paul reportedly took home $40 million, while his opponent got $20 million, but the upcoming clash with Joshua looks set to exceed those numbers, and by some distance too.

Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua Fight Purse & Prize Money

It was initially reported by the Daily Mail that Paul and Joshua would evenly split a £140 million purse and each take home around £70 million, but Paul revealed a different figure on social media just days later. Taking to X, Paul tweeted: "Stop asking me. $267 million."

Such a figure would see both fighters take home roughly £100 million each, dwarfing the payday Paul enjoyed thanks to his fight with Tyson, and even the prize money Joshua received for his rematches with Oleksandr Usyk ($75 million) and Andy Ruiz Jr ($72 million).

Putting the new figure into perspective, sports and entertainment accountant, Oriana Morrision, told The Independent: "Even if the lower figure – the rumoured $184m purse – is true, AJ could bring home $92 million [£70 million]. We haven’t seen a boxing match with a purse at this level since Mayweather vs Pacquiao in 2015 or even Mayweather vs McGregor in 2017. It’s higher than any Saudi purse to date."

And while many boxing purists have been critical of AJ's decision to take the fight with Paul, Morrison believes it is a perfect opportunity for the Brit, created by Paul's promotion company Most Valuable Promotions.

"The US never really got the chance to savour Anthony Joshua’s talent and charisma. This is the perfect setting for this fight and definitely a turning point for boxing in the US. MVP and Jake Paul are dragging new audiences into boxing. They’re forcing boxing to modernise its promotion and pay fighters better than established promoters."

- Henry Eccles

WHY CARLOS ALCARAZ COULD LOSE NEARLY HALF OF HIS $5MILLION US OPEN 2025 PRIZE MONEY

Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka are set to lose nearly half of their $5 million US Open 2025 singles prize money: Here’s why

Carlos Alcaraz may only get $2.5 million in prize money despite US Open raising it to $5 million. Image: Reuters

Carlos Alcaraz clinched a mega prize money of $5 million after beating Jannik Sinner in the US Open 2025 final on Sunday, but his actual in-hand reward could be just $2.5 million. The US Open organisers announced before the tournament began that the overall prize money pool for the 2025 edition was hiked by 20% as compared to the 2024 tournament.

While the total pool was raised to a whopping $90 million as compared to $75 million in 2024, the prize money for the men’s and women’s singles title winners was increased to $5 million each. The 2024 winners received $3.6 million.

Both the overall prize money pool and the winner’s rewards at the US Open 2025 are the highest among all four Grand Slams. And Alcaraz captured the biggest individual prize money reward in tennis by beating Italian star Sinner 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 at the Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Alcaraz could lose half of US Open 2025 prize money

However, Alcaraz is set to lose almost half of the $5 million reward due to the local tax laws in the USA and New York. According to a report in the Daily Express, Alcaraz now fits into the highest federal income tax bracket of 37% in the USA, which is levied over income above $609,351. As a result, $1.7 million will be deducted from the prize money in federal taxes before he leaves the country.

Alcaraz will also have to pay a New York state tax of 9.65% on income between $1.08 million and $5 million. As a result, Alcaraz’s take-home prize money would be somewhere closer to $2.5 million. It would be the same for Aryna Sabalenka, who won the women’s title.

Alcaraz’s real income may even be less if we factor in the money he has spent on staying in New York for the tournament and the payment he has to make to his coaches, physiotherapists and for the travel.

However, it shouldn’t matter, as just at the age of 22, Alcaraz has already captured six Grand Slams, and leads 10-5 against his closest competitor, Sinner. It only shows that the Spaniard is set to win many more tournaments and should continue earning big rewards.

- FP Sports Desk

WIMBLEDON PRIZE MONEY AFTER EPIC RUN

 Iga Swiatek & Amanda Anisimova cash in after epic Wimbledon 2025 run 🏆

#igaswiatek | #AmandaAnisimova | #Wimbledon2025

BRITISH WORLD NO. 733 DENIED £99K WIMBLEDON PRIZE MONEY AFTER STUNNING FIRST-ROUND WIN

Oliver Tarvet beat Leandro Riedi at Wimbledon on Monday(Image: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Oliver Tarvet saw off Leandro Riedi, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in two hours and 19 minutes on the opening day of Wimbledon, but the 21-year-old Brit won't be able to accept the prize money

Oliver Tarvet said it was a “dream come true” to win his first ever match at Wimbledon, but his victory came with an unusual caveat.

The 21-year-old Brit, who is ranked No.733 in the world, saw off his opponent, Leandro Riedi, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in two hours and 19 minutes on the opening day of Wimbledon.

He had to come through three rounds of qualifying to earn his place at the All England Lawn Tennis Club and had never before played an ATP Tour-level event.

But he drew a decent crowd in the sweltering heat on court four and rose to the occasion, knocking out his Swiss opponent, who is ranked 506th in the world but was 117th as recently as August last year and is a previous runner-up at Surbiton.

Tarvet could now get an even more high-profile tie, with his win possibly granting him a second-round match against defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, who is facing veteran Fabio Fognini on Centre Court on Monday afternoon.

“There’s a lot of emotions,” Tarvet said. “I’m just really overjoyed to be in this situation. All the hard work I’ve put in over the last few years has clearly paid off. I was just taking it match by match to see what I could do.

“This is my first tour level event – to come through qualifying and then win a first round at Wimbledon and maybe have the chance to play Carlos on Wednesday is truly incredible. It’s a dream come true for me to play at Wimbledon and it’s really special.”

Oliver Tarvet cannot accept the prize money(Image: Dan Istitene/Getty Images)

Tarvet can’t enjoy the financial rewards that come with his success, however. The youngster is a University of San Diego student and has developed his game in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) system. That comes with strings attached. Under NCAA rules, players are restricted in how much they can claim from professional tournaments.

Tarvet revealed before the tournament that he is only allowed to take home $10,000 (£7,290) in profit every year, as well as any expenses incurred during the events. That means he will likely have to forfeit the £99,000 in prize money he has earned for reaching the second round.

"There's been complaints about it but I don't want to speak too much about it, I don't want to overstep anything,” he said before the match. "In my opinion, I've worked hard to get this money and I don't really feel like it's undeserved, the money that I've got. So I think it would be good to see a change in the rules."

Tarvet is the first male British qualifier for Wimbledon since Alexander Ward in 2017. He beat Terence Atmane in round one before prevailing 6-3 6-2 against Canada's Alexis Galarneau and defeating 29th seed Alexander Blockx of Belgium 6-3 3-6 6-2 6-1 to progress to the main draw.

- Felix Keith

FIFA WORLD CUP PRIZE MONEY SINCE 1986

 

#FIFAWorldCup #FIFA

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PRIZE MONEY

 

AUSTRALIAN OPEN PRIZE MONEY: HOW MUCH CAN DJOKOVIC, ALCARAZ, SINNER AND RADUCANU EARN

Australian Open stars will be aiming to get their hands on a share of the huge prize pot this month.

The Australian Open gets underway on Sunday as the top tennis players in the world battle it out to get their hands on silverware. And there is plenty of money up for grabs for the likes of Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and Emma Raducanu thanks to the huge prize pot on offer.

Aryna Sabalenka is the reigning champion in the women’s draw after getting the better of Zheng Qinwen in last year’s final.

Jannik Sinner, meanwhile, won the men’s tournament last time around after overcoming a two-set deficit to defeat Daniil Medvedev in a thriller.

Prize money is equal across the men’s and women’s draws, with the financial rewards for players increasing after every round.

The total prize fund on offer in Melbourne this year is around £48million, which is a 12 per cent increase from a year ago.

Australian Open prize money

Round One

Players who exit the Australian Open at the first round stage will receive £66,000.

Round Two

There is £100,00 available for players who reach the second round Down Under. Raducanu fell at the second hurdle last year and will be hoping for an improved run this time around.

Round Three

The prize money increases to £146,000 in the third round as players start to put together a string of wins.

Round Four

The Australian Open aces who progress to the fourth round could start to sense a shot at glory. They will be rewarded with £211,000 if they come up short in this match.

Quarter-finals

Defeated quarter-finalists can lick their wound after their exit in the knowledge their bank balance will be bolstered to the tune of £334,000.

Semi-finals

There is a staggering 553,000 on offer for players who are dispatched in the semi-finals, with Djokovic losing his last-four showdown in 2024.

Runner-Up

The unlucky players who suffer heartache in the showpiece match will leave the tournament with £955,000 in the kitty.

Winner

This year’s men’s and women’s Australian Open champions will be given a whopping £1.75m, a figure that could set most tennis stars for life. And a host of players will believe they have what it takes to claim the honours.

Sinner is the favourite to win the men’s edition of the tournament after showing huge pedigree in his previous displays at Melbourne Park. Alcaraz is second favourite, while Djokovic, Alexander Zverev and Medvedev could also be in the running.

Sabalenka, meanwhile, has been made the favourite in the women’s draw as she eyes up back-to-back titles, with Coco Gauff, Iga Swiatek, Elena Rybakina following behind.

TOP 10 SPORTS EVENTS BY THE WINNERS PRIZE MONEY

 

FIFA TO GUARANTEE WOMEN’S WORLD CUP PLAYERS DIRECT PRIZE MONEY FOR FIRST TIME

Each of the 736 players at this year’s Women’s World Cup will be paid a minimum of $30,000 by FIFA thanks to new prize-money stipulations.

For the first time, players participating in the Women’s World Cup will be guaranteed pay by FIFA, The Equalizer has confirmed.

FIFA will pay out $110 million in total prize money to the 32 teams at the 2023 World Cup. Four years ago, the total prize money was $30 million for 24 teams.