Fan favourite Bronco Reece Walsh can become pre-Olympics pin-up boy and rugby league’s first $2 million man

Legendary talent agent Max Markson sees an even more lucrative future for Broncos fullback Reece Walsh – with a key event set to greatly reward marketable superstar athletes.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 20: Reece Walsh of the Broncos celebrates after scoring a try during the round seven NRL match between the Brisbane Broncos and Canberra Raiders at Suncorp Stadium, on April 20, 2024, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Reece Walsh can become rugby league’s first $2 million man and a key figure in a marketing explosion for the Brisbane Olympics.

This is the view of Max Markson, the doyen of Australia’s talent management scene who senses Broncos fullback Walsh, reported to have agreed to terms for a five year, $1.1 million a season contract extension, will surge past the $2 million mark in his next deal.

Max Markson is an agent to the stars. Picture: Glenn Hampson

“He is just 21 so in five years he will only be at the halfway point of his career,’’ said Markson, who has promoted tours for the likes of soccer legend Pele, boxer Mike Tyson and former US president Bill Clinton.

“Even at $1.1 million a year I would say the Broncos have got him cheap.

“I would expect next time he signs it could be $2 million. I don’t think people fully appreciate the change and opportunities that are about to open up in Brisbane in the countdown to the 2032 Olympics.

“The Olympics will change the world for Brisbane and Queensland. It’s a great time to be a sports star in Brisbane. Walsh will fly. Advertising agencies will want to use him to promote the city and the Games.

“There will be television and marketing roles for him. And then there is social media. Walsh has a lot (450,000) of Instagram followers and with that sort of following he will get people wanting to pay him money to put things up on line.

“I see deals like that all the time. Tens of thousands of dollars. In some case hundreds of thousands.

“He will get a lot of things come his way in the off-season when he is not playing and, with the Olympics in mind, it won’t just be state-related but national as well.’’

Reece Walsh is one of the NRL’s most marketable players. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Newcastle’s injured captain Kalyn Ponga, at $1.4 million a year, is thought to be rugby league’s highest paid player.

Ponga’s unavailability for this season’s State of Origin series due to a foot injury sustained on Sunday means that Walsh will retain the fullback jersey he wore in a series win last season.

The Broncos face major salary cap challenges ahead as they attempt to tie down their strong roster but Walsh’s broad appeal, from youngsters to the game’s female audience and male fans who simply admire his skills, make his signature a priority.

Broncos great Corey Parker caught the ears of Queensland talent scouts when he said on radio on Monday that talented Melbourne Storm playmaker Jahrome Hughes was considering a move back to Queensland.

The former Titan and Cowboy, who moved to the Gold Coast from New Zealand at 14, is under contract to the Storm, until 2026 in a deal signed in 2022.

“I know his wife is from the Gold Coast and at this stage it’s just rumblings that I’m hearing,’’ Parker said.

“It remains to be seen if it’s before his term of contract or no but watch this space.’’

Originally published as Fan favourite Bronco Reece Walsh can become pre-Olympics pin-up boy and rugby league’s first $2 million man