Mariners already reaping rewards of Usain Bolt gamble

Even before Usain Bolt has set foot on the Central Coast, the Mariners are reaping some major rewards.

Jamaican sprint legend Usain Bolt playing in a friendly for Stromsgodset in Norway two months ago

It was instructive that as Central Coast chief executive Shaun Mielekamp spoke yesterday about Usain Bolt coming to the club, he did so sitting in front of a board that was filled with sponsors logos.

Even before the eight-time Olympic gold medallist has stepped foot in the country, the Mariners, regarded as one of the smallest clubs in the A-League, are starting to reap some major rewards from a situation that has captured worldwide attention.

“Our media backdrop says it all … more logos than we have ever had on it before,” was how Mielekamp described it when he spoke with The Australian. “We are speaking to companies we wouldn’t have been speaking with a few weeks ago.

“The phones are ringing pretty hot. They have been asking what’s on offer, what’s available and how we are going to structure the sponsorships. It is still a bit early to get a genuine feel but our media backdrop tells you a good deal about where we are at right now.”

Potentially, there is more to come and Mielekamp, mindful of the Mariners’ standing as a community-based club, is not talking about sponsorships from your local coffee shop in Gosford, The Entrance or Tuggerah.

While he wasn’t prepared to put a figure on the potential earnings from sponsors, having Bolt’s name associated with the club is not going to come cheap.

And that is why the real money lies in Sydney and around the world and with the big corporations.

“That is certainly the target,” Mielekamp says. “We have been in contact for some time with sponsors about how best to maximise the opportunity.

“Our aim and the real appetite is from Sydney sponsors like development companies.

“It is a matter of ensuring the club grows from this and learns to maximise the opportunities and that in itself will help us get more professional in delivering.

“The good part is that some of the sponsors are already working with us in bringing their own marketing and expertise along to the conversation.”

Mielekamp also admitted that the club has been working with Bolt’s management about how best to utilise the sponsors involved with the Jamaican.

“Yes, we have been working in collaboration with his people,” he added. “They have been very helpful. It is very exciting.”

That is part of Mielekamp’s answer to the critics who have labelled Bolt’s looming bid to earn a playing contract as a circus and nothing more than a publicity stunt.

“Of course, I am aware of what is being said out there, but this is why we are taking things one step at a time and going through a process for him to train and develop,” Mielekamp said.

“I say to them, we are a small club and that you know we need to grow and if this is one of the opportunities for the Mariners to significantly grow for the long term then this is an opportunity nobody can deny us.

“For us, that long term affect is what we have to be mindful of.”

Mielekamp, who spoke to Bolt on Tuesday night, said the fastest man in the world is determined to try and prove himself.

“It is important that we don’t get to caught up in the hype and possibilities. But the reality is Usain has placed his faith in the Central Coast Mariners to accelerate his football journey,” he said.

“His desire, his passion, his dedication and determination is what is driving this.”

Bolt is expected in Sydney on August 18 and will have his first training session several days later.

Mielekamp, who refused to go into details about Bolt’s possible wage saying it was “in commercial confidence”, confirmed the club was prepared to give him as much time as needed to prove himself.

“We have changed it from being a trial period to being an open ended and indefinite situation. It could be three weeks, two months, six months,” he added.

“This is about training and developing Usain. We are all in this together. If we can get him to a level then great.”

He said the final decision on whether Bolt makes it will not be down to one person. “It will be a collaborative effort.

“Ultimately, he has to impress the coach. He has to get to a level where the coach is confident he can play regular football and once that is reached then he will be offered a playing contract.”