Bolt hopes to light up A-League
Jamaican sprint king Usain Bolt is in talks to trial for the Central Coast Mariners which could see him playing in the A-League this year.
However, a possible contract deal with the Central Coast club hinges on almost A$1 million (NZ$1.08m) in funds from Football Federation Australia, according to agent Tony Rallis.
‘‘The deal between the Mariners and Usain Bolt in principle has been agreed, subject to a couple of benchmarks,’’ Rallis told the Sydney radio show Big Sports Breakfast yesterday. ‘‘Mainly, a trial, and of course marquee funds support from the FFA.’’
Rallis told AAP the FFA would need to cough up A$900,000 (NZ$980,000) from its marquee fund of A$3 million if the club decides the sprinter is worth signing for a season
Once the FFA comes back and says that they’ll be part of the process, we’re going to the trial."
A spokesman for the FFA would not say whether the governing body would contribute to a potential contract.
‘‘FFA is not funding this trial,’’ the spokesman told Fairfax Media.
The eight-time Olympic gold medallist has been in negotiations for four to five months with the Central Coast club to take part in a six-week trial, Mariners chief executive Shaun Mielekamp said.
‘‘There’s still a lot of work to do in regards to understanding exactly how the deal would work out and how things would look, but things are very positive at the moment so we’re really excited,’’ Mielekamp told Sunrise.
‘‘And if all goes well, who knows, he might be lighting up the A-League this season.’’
Bolt’s Mariners team-mates would include All Whites and former Wellington Phoenix midfielder Michael McGlinchey.
‘‘The most important thing is is that we find a way to see how good he is as a footballer first,’’ Mielekamp said.
Bolt is the world record-holder for the 100m and 200m sprints, but retired from athletics last year after a glittering career.