Ben Simmons set to sign biggest ever deal offered to an Australian athlete

He’s about to sign the biggest ever deal offered to an Aussie athlete, but experts say there’s something unique about Ben Simmons’ star power that has the potential to push his earnings into the next stratosphere.

Australian NBA star Ben Simmons. Picture: Instagram/bensimmons

Basketball superstar Ben Simmons is set to sign the biggest ever deal offered to an Aussie athlete, netting almost $50 million a year for five years if he accepts a contract extension from the Philadelphia 76ers.

The deal would mean the 22-year-old NBA star’s earnings would eclipse other cashed-up Aussie athletes, including golfer Jason Day, F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo and fellow basketballers Matthew Dellavedova and Joe Ingles.

Sports marketing experts said there could be more to come for the talented boy from Blackburn North, with no limit on what he could make from endorsements.

Ben Simmons is about to sign the biggest deal ever offered to an Australian athlete. Picture: Instagram/bensimmons

Philadelphia has offered Simmons a new $240.4 million five-year contract, according to ESPN.

But he will likely pocket more, with the NBA’s new salary cap projections expected to bump his contract to $243.2 million.

Simmons — whose one-year relationship with Kendall Jenner ended in May — has been named in the Boomers’ squad for this year’s basketball World Cup in China.

Key figures from the Melbourne star’s Knox Basketball Association days say the mega deal will further boost his hero status with fans.

South East Eagles vice-president Nathan Sewell said it showed youngsters “anything is possible if you put the hard work in”.

A young Ben Simmons with his father Dave.

Sewell saw Simmons emerge as a 14-year-old in 2012, when he helped the club win the under-16s A-Grade premiership.

“You only have to come down here on a Saturday, the amount of kids wearing Philadelphia jerseys and stuff like that is crazy,” he said.

“You see the LeBron (James) singlets and the (Steph) Curry singlets … but seeing an Aussie from the local area having that many NBA singlets and the interest that generates is fantastic.”

“The first thing (young players) ask about Ben is ‘was he really good when he was a kid?’

“And he was very good, you could tell.”

Marketing experts say even more lucrative deals could be ahead for Simmons.

Ben Simmons with mum Julie hosting a junior clinic in Wantirna South last year. Picture: Wayne Taylor

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He already has a deal with Nike reputed to pay $20 million over five years, jumping to $40 million with bonuses.

“He also becomes very attractive for an Australian brand or product looking to penetrate the US market. He’s primed for that,” said John Tripodi, CEO of marketing company Twenty3 Group, which includes Eddie McGuire and Paul Dainty as directors.

The Boomers will play a star-studded US team at Marvel Stadium on August 22 and 24. Simmons has said he was committed to the Boomers for “upcoming events”, heightening hopes he will appear in Melbourne.

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