Tax Records Reveal Shocking Earnings Leader in Icelandic Sport as Football Lags Far Behind

Newly published tax records from Iceland completely upend conventional wisdom by revealing that an equestrian coach leads the nation’s sports earnings, leaving the football chief far behind.

Surprising Tax Data Disproves Football Wealth Assumptions

It is widely believed that football players and federation bosses swim in the greatest luxuries. However, the latest data published by the Icelandic tax authority completely contradicts this theory, showing that the leader of the rankings earns more than three times as much as the head of football.

Equestrian Coach Tops the Pay Scale

The highest-earning person associated with sports in Iceland last year turned out to be an equestrian coach, while the president of the Football Association of Iceland (KSI) ranked only sixth, with incomes lower by two thirds.

According to tax lists published on Tuesday by the Icelandic tax authority, Sigurbjoern Bardarsonn, head coach of the Icelandic national equestrian team from 2017 to 2025 and athlete of the year in 1993, earned an average of 36,000 euros per month last year.

Strongman on the Podium While Football Boss Lags

The income of the second-ranked weightlifter and strongman, Hafthor Julius Bjoernsson, amounted to 28,000 euros.

Thorvaldur Oerlygsson, president of KSI since 2024, earned 12,500 euros per month, while the earnings of national football team manager Arnar Gunnlaugsson were minimally lower.

Coach Domination and the lone Football Exception

As many as six coaches and only one football player found themselves in the top ten highest earners.

Breidablik midfielder Viktor Karl Einarsson secured 10th place with earnings of 11,600 euros per month.

Why Football Stars Are Missing from the List

The tax office list includes only individuals with permanent residency in Iceland.

Many athletes, mainly football players playing in foreign clubs, are not covered by these calculations because they pay their taxes abroad.