Crunching the numbers to reveal $onny Bill Williams’ stunning earnings across career
He’s officially the highest paid player in the history of rugby league and union, but Sonny Bill Williams’ earnings across his entire career - including boxing - are truly remarkable.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
He’s now known as footy’s $27m man and the highest paid NRL and rugby union player in history.
A breakdown of Money Bill Williams’ contract earnings, fight deals and an international Adidas sponsorship since 2004 when he started out at the Canterbury Bulldogs reveals an extraordinary pathway to unprecedented wealth in the football codes.
To put it in perspective, Cameron Smith, arguably the greatest rugby league player of all time, has had a career two years longer but would not have earned half what $onny Bill has.
Stream over 50 sports Live & On-Demand with KAYO SPORTS on your TV, computer, mobile or tablet. Just $25/month, no lock-in contract. Get your 14-day free trial and start streaming instantly >
MORE NRL NEWS
REYNOLDS: IT’S ALWAYS BEEN MY DREAM TO CAPTAIN SOUTHS
RISE OF PACIFIC NATIONS IS ORIGIN’S GREATEST THREAT
$onny’s new $10 million deal with Toronto Wolfpack in the English Super League even catapults him over the great English rugby star Jonny Wilkinson and All Black legend Dan Carter in the earnings stakes.
Smith has played 414 club games for Storm, 42 matches for QLD and 56 for Australia for his money.
All up from NRL games, Super Rugby matches and Tests in both codes, $onny Bill has had to play only 299 matches. His 300th will be his first game for Toronto.
There is also the opportunity to take his career earnings past the $30 million mark if he gets his expected $2 million payday from a super fight with Paul Gallen.
His Super League contract allows him to fight in the off-season.
To this day $onny Bill stands by his decision to walk out on the Canterbury Bulldogs on the advice of his manager Khoder Nasser, even if it meant breaking his contract.
All these years – and dollars – later, there is no doubt he made the right call.
FOOTY
2004-2008 Bulldogs (NRL) $1.2m
2008-2010 Toulon (Rugby) $2m
2010 Canterbury (NZR) $450,000
2011 Crusaders (NZR) $450,000
2012 Chiefs NZRL $750,000
2012 Panasonic White Knight (Rugby) $1m
2013-2014 Roosters (NRL) $2m
2015 Chiefs (NZRU) $1.3m
2016 Olympics 7’s $700,000
2017 – 2019 Auckland Blues – NZRU $4m
2020 – 2021 Toronto Wolfpack (SL) $10m
Total $23.85m
BOXING
2009 Gary Gurr
2010 Ryan Hogan
2011 Scott Lewis, Alipate Liava’a
2012 Clarence Tillman
2013 Frans Botha
2015 Chauncy Welliver
Total seven fights $1.5m
Adidas Sponsorship $2.5m
Grand total $27.85m
PLAYING
118 NRL club games, 12 Tests = 130 games
111 Super Rugby Games, 58 Tests = 169 games
All up 299 games