Wayde, Akani attracting dollars
Exploits have been world class
There is no doubt that Usain Bolt remains the only track star who is ranked high in the list of highest-paid athletes in the world.
But Wayde van Niekerk and Akani Simbine are getting there, so predicts the sprinters’ business manager Peet van Zyl.
“Wayde is probably among the top brands already now, and that’s also based on performances.
“Bolt is in a league of his own, but we’re working on Wayde and he’s getting there. He has asked to keep what he’s worth private but I can say he’s earning really good money,” Van Zyl told Sowetan on the sidelines of the announcement of Simbine’s partnership with German carmaker Mercedes Benz on Monday.
Bolt is reportedly paid appearance fees of up to $400 000 (about R5-million) per meet, and he raked up $32.5-million in the year running up to the Rio Olympics, according to Forbes.
“In South Africa you’ll always compete with football, cricket and rugby. But I think the likes of Wayde, Akani, Caster [Semenya] and now Luvo’s [Manyonga] amazing achievements have come to the fore, and the current sponsorships have shown real value can be added to it. Let’s hope more companies in SA come into athletics,” the In-Site Athlete Management boss added.
Simbine is so in demand that his management team rejected offers for him to race in China at the weekend, and next month in Norway and Sweden, all IAAF Diamond League meetings.
The lucrative one-day meetings pay $10 000 (R130 000) to winners per race, with just over R650 000 at stake for overall champions at the end of the 14-series competition.
“We’re not going to chase races for the sake of money. The plan is for Akani to be at his best and win a medal at the World Championships in London [in August] – without having to run too many races,” said Van Zyl.
Simbine left for Berlin last night for a sponsors’ appearance en route to his training camp in Gemona, Italy.
Bolt is in a league of his own, but we’re working on Wayde and he’s getting there