‘Put the money in the bank’ ‘Rugby’s answer to LeBron James’
If a two-year coaching gig worth $10 million came up in Toronto, Timbuktu or even Timaru, you get the feeling Wayne Bennett would be there.
The Great Britain Lions coach was asked for his thoughts on Sonny Bill Williams’ move to the Toronto Wolfpack at his side’s final training before taking on the Kiwis in Christchurch tonight.
At the same time, Williams was in the process of confirming the rich two-year deal that is reportedly worth $10 million.
‘‘He should be the happiest guy in the world,’’ Bennett said before dishing out some advice to the former All Blacks midfielder. ‘‘He
Toronto Wolfpack claim their website crashed after confirming the signing of Sonny Bill Williams on a two-year contract worth a reported NZ$10 million yesterday (NZ time).
The Canadian league outfit will next year play in the Super League for the first time after two promotions in three seasons since first playing professionally in the UK in 2017.
The Wolfpack are hoping to boost their profile exponentially and said in a statement that Williams ‘‘is rugby’s LeBron
James’’, a global basketball superstar, while repeating the message about the departing All
Black’s move being like the one former football star David Beckham made when joining LA Galaxy in the United States in 2007.
Toronto’s website was, however, working when Stuff accessed it after announcing that Williams had signed for the 2020 and 2021 seasons, so it could have been an attempt to raise the hype surrounding his deal that makes him the richest player in either rugby code.
The Wolfpack hope Williams will raise their profile as Super League tries to tap into the gigantic sporting markets in North America, boosting the UK game’s finances with longheld financial issues still a concern, while growing the sport over there.
‘‘The excitement he will bring to the sport of rugby league in this country will be incredible,’’ Wolfpack CEO Bob Hunter said.
‘‘. . . we believe he is rugby’s LeBron James and his addition to our league is comparable to when David Beckham joined LA Galaxy.’’
Williams’ contract will give him a share of the club and a starring role in a Netflix series which the Wolfpack hope will run over three seasons.
He will reportedly earn £2.6 million a year (NZ$5.25m) and his annual salary will exceed the £2.1m (NZ$4.24m) salary cap Super League clubs must comply with, but it’s perfectly legitimate because of the competition’s marquee ruling.
Williams is on a collision course with Australia as coach Mal Meninga confirms he wants the Kangaroos to play the Wolfpack at the end of 2020.
In the leadup to their three-test series against England next year, the Kangaroos are looking at warm up matches against Super League clubs, and the Wolfpack is one of them.
‘‘He should be the happiest guy in the world.’’
MARSHALL’S VIEW