Jordan Mailata signs NFL contract extension to become $100 million man

NFL star Jordan Mailata has signed a bumper new contract worth $33 million a year — but it’s only enough to get him on to the podium of Australia’s top sports earners.

Australian NFL star Jordan Mailata has closed the gap on Cameron Smith and Ben Simmons as the country’s highest paid sportsmen after signing a three-year extension with the Philadelphia Eagles worth $100 million.

Mailata’s new deal pays him $33 million a year, not quite the $58 million Simmons is due to earn in 2024 or the estimated $75 million Smith raked in last year, but good enough to solidify his position on the podium when it comes to Aussie sports stars.

Simmons is in the penultimate year of a monster deal with the Brooklyn Nets and while he hasn’t exactly been good value for money due to a litany of injuries, Mailata has been a standout for the high-flying Eagles in recent years.

His contract extension is a reflection of that as well as a reward for the remarkable risk he took to try his hand at American football. The new deal makes him the fourth highest paid offensive tackle in the NFL in terms of annual salary.

Aussie golfer Smith was believed to be the country’s highest earner last year thanks to his decision to switch camps to LIV Golf, which earned him a signing fee believed to be worth as much as $140 million to be staggered over the life of his deal.

Cameron Smith was believed to be Australia’s highest earner last year. Picture: Getty Images

Forbes estimated that Smith’s total earnings were as much as $76m on and off the course in 2023. Simmons is believed to be next in line with Mailata now not far behind, a remarkable achievement when you consider he only switched to the gridiron field six years ago after playing lower grades with South Sydney.

The 27-year-old was taken in the seventh round of the 2018 draft by the Eagles and has become a fixture in their line-up ever since, helping the side to the Super Bowl two years ago.

He now stands to earn nine figures over the next three years as he solidifies his status as one of the wealthiest sports people in the country.

Ben Simmons is in the penultimate year of a monster NBA deal. Picture: Getty Images

A handful of other Australians playing in the big leagues in America are reaping in huge salaries. Basketballers Matisse Thybulle and Dyson Daniels will reportedly earn $16 million and $8.8 million respectively this year while golfer Jason Day made $12 million in prize money and bonuses last year.

Formula One drivers Daniel Ricciardo ($10.6 million) and Oscar Piastri ($9.1m) are also at the pointy end of the prize money list along with pitcher Liam Hendriks ($5.3m), tennis star Alex de Minaur ($5.8m prize money last year) and golfer Adam Scott ($5m in prize money in 2023).

Originally published as Jordan Mailata signs NFL contract extension to become $100 million man