How Matildas star Sam Kerr can make history off the field

Matildas star Sam Kerr has been dubbed a “female Cristiano Ronaldo” and her brand is set to explode after the World Cup, setting her up to make history for female footballers.

Australia's forward #20 Sam Kerr celebrates at the end of the Australia and New Zealand 2023 Women's World Cup round of 16 football match between Australia and Denmark at Stadium Australia in Sydney on August 7, 2023. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)

Matildas superstar Sam Kerr will become the first female footballer in history to crash through the $500m barrier after being dubbed a “female Cristiano Ronaldo”.

That is the bold opinion and prediction of Australian celebrity and talent promoter, publicist and agent, Max Markson.

Kerr will, according to Markson, be targeted by global corporations including breakfast cereals, car companies, clothing outlets, food and vitamin chains, electronic companies, telecommunications operations.

And Markson claims Kerr could earn a cool and comfortable $250,000 annually for speaking engagements.

“By the end of her career, she will end up with $500m in the bank,” Markson said.

“She will be a female Cristiano Ronaldo.

“Sam could enter the same pay bracket as Ronaldo (estimated to be worth $500m). And Ronaldo is the biggest soccer player in the world. Sam is female – that’s the magic. The world is her oyster.”

Kerr’s Matilda’s can create Australian sporting history by toppling France in a World Cup quarterfinal this Saturday afternoon at Lang Park, Brisbane.

Despite barely featuring thus far in the tournament, Kerr is the face of Australia’s campaign. (Photo by Steven Markham/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Markson tipped Kerr would one day, perhaps towards the back-end of her career, play in highly lucrative Saudi or American leagues. Soccer experts tip Kerr, 29, could play until she is 40.

“The World Cup is enormous so she will get a World Cup deal. Any international or global deal with a major corporation will be worth $5m or $10m alone, at least,” said Markson.

“Even if Australia doesn’t win, and they might, she has to be worth $25m by the time the World Cup ends, easily. And that money for Sam will increase every year, it will grow and grow and grow.

“Look at some of the corporations already doing the Olympic Games. You’ve got breakfast cereals, clothing companies, food, electronic companies, telephone companies, anything she wants, she will get.

“She is presentable, a great sports personality, is a performer and has another ten years of playing. Sam will keep going until she’s 40 if she wants.

“I don’t think she needs to be at the peak of her career to get enormous money playing overseas in places like America or Saudi Arabia.

“Sam could get a gig in America for a fortune, some serious money. Look at David Beckham. He was playing in the UK and finished up in America. If you want to go back even further, Pele went to New York.

“And she will also be able to do a speaking tour here in Australia whenever she wants.”

Kerr has already been on the cover of the FIFA game. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)

Kerr has a longstanding sponsorship contract with Nike, which is said to be worth $1m. Nike also sponsors male superstars Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe.

She also has a partnership with MasterCard.

Last year, Perth-born Kerr became the first female footballer to adorn the front cover of FIFA’s premier sports video game and she is also a brand ambassador for the Commonwealth Bank.

It is understood Kerr also enjoys a sponsorship deal with a luxury Swiss watch manufacturer. She had previous deals with Hyundai and Powerade.

English sources claim Kerr’s Chelsea deal is worth about $600,000 a season.

“Sam is playing for Chelsea at the moment but she will get picked up by whoever she wants after this. And that will mean Chelsea have to put more money in, and believe me, Chelsea have got plenty of money,” Markson said.

“She will have global endorsement campaigns for advertising. She doesn’t have to be on the pitch for those – just TV commercials and endorsements. Everyone will want her around the world.”

Markson has previously worked with Charlie Sheen, Bill Clinton, Tony Blair, George Bush snr, Princess Mary and Crown Prince Frederick of Denmark, Nelson Mandela, Rudy Giuliani, Shane Warne, Joe Bugner, Greg Chappell and Martina Navratilova.

Australia is paying $8 to win the World Cup, according to TAB, behind England ($3.50), Spain ($4.50), Japan ($5.50) and France ($6).

Originally published as How Matildas star Sam Kerr can make history off the field