Simmons’ mega pay day looms
NBA star rookie Ben Simmons is on course to dethrone Greg Norman as Australia’s richest ever athlete, according to a leading US sports business analyst.
Kurt Badenhausen, a Forbes senior editor and author of its “highest paid athletes of alltime” list, believes the 21-yearold Melburnian has a chance at reeling in the Shark’s enormous fortune.
Golf great Norman was the only Australian to feature on the definitive Forbes ranking of the 20 richest sports stars — coming in at No. 12 with estimated career earnings of $US680 million, while basketball icon Michael Jordan earned top spot with $1.7 billion.
Norman, 62, built a business empire on top of a golf career highlighted by two British Open titles and record stints as world No. 1 before moving into golf course design, apparel, wine and real estate ventures.
But with Simmons soaring early in his NBA rookie season after being taken by the Philadelphia 76ers as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 draft, Badenhausen said the sky was the limit for the Australian.
“If Simmons turns into a top five NBA player with a 15-yearplus career, he’ll have an opportunity to approach the Shark in career earnings,” Badenhausen said.
With Simmons bagging 11 double-doubles through 17 games and ranking fifth in the NBA for assists per game (7.6) behind James Harden, Russell Westbrook, John Wall and LeBron James, Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant said he had all the hallmarks of an elite player.
“He’s something I’ve never seen before as (really) playing the point guard; that height, that speed, and that strength,” Durant said after downing the 76ers last week.
Locked into a capped rookie playing contract, Simmons will bank $6.4 million and $8.1 million respectively in the third and fourth years of a deal expected to total $26.6 million.
He also signed a five-year shoe contract with Nike for a guaranteed $20 million — which could turn into $40 million with bonuses such as a likely rookie of the year award — in addition to endorsement deals with Foot Locker, Beats by Dre and Upper Deck.