They’re some of Queensland’s most recognisable faces and they have the bank account to go along with the fame. MIKE COLMAN reveals our top 40 highest earners in sport.
In part two of our countdown of Queensland’s richest sport stars we find a whole lot of NRL guns making bank, our first entry from the world of soccer, and a speed machine from North Queensland that often flies under the radar.
30. Cameron Munster (NRL) – $1.125 million
His $3.6 million four-year contract with the Storm earns him $900,000 a season which the 24-year-old from Rockhampton supplements with $150,000 in Origin and Test payments and an estimated $75,000 in third party endorsements and sponsorship deals.
29. Ashley Taylor (NRL) – $1.14 million
Having signed a deal at the end of the 2017 season that brings him $3.2 million over three years the Gold Coast halfback earns an average $1.06 million a year.
Given his form last season and the re-emergence of Daly Cherry-Evans he is unlikely to supplement that amount through representative payment this year but will pick up an estimated $80,000 in third party sponsorship deals.
28. Jason Taumalolo (NRL) – $1.15 million
With speculation that he might try his luck in the NFL, the North Queensland Cowboys in March 2017 locked Taumalolo into a ten year $10 million deal.
Having turned his back on New Zealand to play for Tonga and missed out on a rumoured move to the Maroons, the hulking backrower does not make a large amount from representative match payments but would pick up around $150,000 a year from third party endorsements.
27. Anthony Milford (NRL) – $1.18 million
The highest paid player in the history of the Brisbane Broncos, the 24-year-old earns a reported $1 million a season from the club and another $180,000 from representative match payments, boot sponsorship and other endorsements.
26. Jack Miller (MotoGP) – $1.2 million
The 24-year-old Townsville product finished 14th in last year’s MotorGP championship but has high hopes for 2019 after being named number one rider for his Alma Pramac team and being handed the controls of a latest generation Ducati machine.
Paid an estimated base salary of $850,000 he also has individual endorsement deals with Red Bull, Fox Sports, Swann Insurance and Italian companies Dainese clothing and AGV crash helmets.
25. Ben Hunt (NRL) – $1.25 million
The former Broncos halfback secured his future by signing a six year $6 million deal with St George Illawarra last season and can expect to pick up an extra $150,000 for Queensland and Australian duty.
Add another $100,000 for boot sponsorship and appearance money.
24. Cooper Cronk (NRL) – $1.26 million
In the final season of a two year $2 million deal with the Roosters, the intelligent, articulate 35-year-old is setting himself up with long-term contacts – and contracts – to prepare for life after football.
He has signed with Fox Sports, who see him as becoming the number one analyst in the game.
23. Robbie Kruse (Football) – $1.275 million
At 30 years of age the Brisbane-born former Roar player has been based in Germany since 2011.
He currently earns a reported $1.05 million from second division club vfl Bochum, plus an estimated $225,000 from sponsors including Adidas.
He earned around $30,000 as part of the Socceroos Asian Cup campaign in which he played in four of Australia’s five matches.
While his contract with Bochum ends in June he plans to continue playing in Europe for another two years before chasing a lucrative deal in Asia.
22. Michael Morgan (NRL) – $1.3 million
Another of rugby league’s fast-growing “millionaire’s club” the Cowboys’ playmaker has a five year $5 million contract which is supplemented by $150,000 in representative match payments for Queensland and Australia and the same again in endorsements and sponsorship.
21. Daly Cherry Evans (NRL) – $1.4 million
The 30-year-old Manly captain can boast the richest contract of any Queensland rugby league player with an eight year $10 million deal earning him an annual average base salary of $1.25 million.
After a strong performance in Origin III last year he could expect to be part of all three games this season, earning $90,000 at $30,000 per game.
He could also take part in Australia’s Tests against New Zealand and Tonga, plus the International World Tens, bringing in another $60,000.
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