Truth behind global star Sam Kerr’s supposed riches
When it comes to athlete marketability, Sam Kerr is one of the country’s most bankable stars right now. But on closer inspection the Matildas captain’s bank balance pales in comparison to her female counterparts.
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When it comes to athlete marketability, Sam Kerr is one of the country’s most bankable stars right now.
It seems, however, the big bucks other athletes may see from endorsements are yet to hit her bank account.
Kerr is now an international star, something that was acknowledged when European clubs tried to tempt her away from the W-League last year.
It forced Football Federation Australia to pull out the stops to ensure one of their biggest players stayed in Australia and as a result, Kerr signed the first marquee deal for a female player.
While that contract was not in the vicinity of those given in the past to male players like Tim Cahill and Alessandro del Piero, it was confirmation of Kerr’s elevated status in the game, given clubs like Chelsea and Barcelona had offers on the table also.
But even though that growing profile is being used more and more by one of her major sponsors, Nike, her deals are not being boosted to match the trajectory of her form and popularity.
While top American female football players are reported to earn high six-figure deals from Nike, but The Sunday Telegraph understands Kerr is paid just a fraction of that, maybe not even cracking the six-figure mark.
Nike — a company that’s 2018 revenues for its brand was $34.5 billion — have had Kerr on their books for more than a year and are aware of her star power.
She now captains the Matildas, has two Julie Dolan medals, was MVP in National Women’s Soccer League in 2017, the golden boot for the past two seasons and AFC Women’s Footballer of Year in 2017. She was a nominee for the inaugural women’s Ballon D’Or.
It was reported this week that they intend to make her the face of the brand in Australia this year, but it’s understood an upgrade to her current deal isn’t being discussed.
Kerr has already featured heavily for the brand. Her image featured in Nike’s Mercurial promotion alongside football legends Ronaldo and Neymar in February last year; she was in London for that launch.
She attended Nike’s show at Paris Fashion Week last year and flew to Paris on Saturday to be part of their unveiling of the 2019 Women’s World Cup kits. She was at the Australian media launch for the kits in Melbourne last Tuesday before playing (and scoring) against Argentina the next night.
Her signature backflip had a cameo in the Serena Williams ‘Crazy’ ad that was released last month.
Endorsements can be where female athletes make true coin, as pay for the actual football played continues to lag for women compared to male players.
Someone like American player Alex Morgan, who was recently named CONCACAF Female Player of the Year and is also signed with Nike, has been reported to make up to $3 million per year through her sponsorships.
Kerr is well and truly on the global stage, but is a way off being the same endorsement league as others.
Originally published as Truth behind global star Sam Kerr’s supposed riches
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