A leading Australian agent has called Sam Kerr a ‘woman Cristiano Ronaldo’ and has tipped the Matildas captain to become the first female player to earn more than $500 million in her career.
Celebrity and talent promoter, publicist and agent Max Markson has worked with some of the biggest names in the industry including Charlie Sheen, Bill Clinton, Tony Blair, George Bush snr, Princess Mary and Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark, Nelson Mandela, Rudy Giuliani, Shane Warne, Joe Bugner, Greg Chappell and Martina Navratilova.
As Australia prepares for the Women’s World Cup quarter-final against France on Saturday, he believes Kerr has the talent and marketing appeal to become the biggest women’s name in the sport.
He believes companies from various industries will be lining up to make Kerr the face of their marketing campaigns, while the Chelsea striker could earn as much as $250,000 a year from speaking engagements alone.
She will have $500 million in the bank by the end of her career.
said Markson CODE Sports. “She’s going to be a woman Cristiano Ronaldo.
Kerr’s star will rise as the Matildas progress deep into the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand
Cristiano Ronaldo signed a contract for more than $330 million to play in Saudi Arabia and also has a string of lucrative sponsorships and endorsements
PR King Max Markson said ‘the world is her oyster’ when it comes to Sam Kerr’s financial future after the Women’s World Cup
“Sam could be in the same salary range as Ronaldo (estimated at $500 million). And Ronaldo is the greatest footballer in the world. Sam is female – that’s the magic. The world is her oyster.’
It all kicks off on Saturday at Suncorp Stadium – renamed Brisbane Stadium by FIFA – where the Matildas will attempt to make history by reaching their first World Cup semi-final with a victory over France.
Kerr missed the group stage matches against Ireland, Nigeria and Canada before returning from a calf injury to play limited minutes in the Matildas 2–0 round of 16 win over Denmark.
She is expected to play a bigger role against France and Markson said the eyes of the world were now on her.
“The World Cup is huge, so she gets a World Cup deal. Any international or global deal with a major company will be worth at least $5 million or $10 million alone,” he said.
“Even if Australia doesn’t win, and they could, she should easily be worth $25 million by the end of the World Cup.” And that money for Sam will grow every year, it will grow and grow and grow.
“Look at some of the companies that are already competing in the Olympics. You have cereal, clothing companies, food, electronics companies, phone companies, anything she wants she gets.
“She is representative, has a great sports personality, is an artist and has another ten years of fun playing. Sam will continue until she is 40 if she wants.
Kerr celebrates victory with Chelsea teammates following their 2021 Women’s FA Cup Final victory over Arsenal
Before Kerr can start counting her money, she has a big part to play for Australia in their quarter-final against France on Saturday.
“I don’t think she needs to be at the peak of her career to make a huge amount of money playing abroad in places like America or Saudi Arabia.
“Sam could get a gig in America for a fortune, serious money. Look at David Beckham. He played in the UK and ended up in America. If you want to go back even further, Pele went to New York.
“And she can give a speech whenever she wants here in Australia.”
Kerr already has lucrative sponsorship deals with Mastercard and Nike, the latter a deal believed to be worth around $1 million. Nike also sponsors the likes of male superstars Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappé.
In addition to sponsorship, Kerr’s $600,000-a-season price tag at Chelsea will also skyrocket.
“Sam is currently playing for Chelsea, but she will be picked up by whoever she wants after this. And that means Chelsea have to put in more money, and believe me, Chelsea have plenty of money,” said Markson.
“She will run global advertising campaigns. She doesn’t need to be on the field for that – just TV commercials and messages of support. Everyone will want her all over the world.”