Vardy £40m payday
JAMIE Vardy’s fairytale season with Premier League champions Leicester City could land him a £40million fortune as the new golden boy of English football.
The former non-league striker signed a new £ 75,000 a week contract with Leicester just three months ago – but football finance specialist Rob Wilson predicted his pay could now rocket.
He said: “I think a prudent estimate would be £150,000 a week over the next three years. After tax he should be l ooking at £ 15million to £ 18million over that period. And that’s just on the pitch.
Fans
“With all the commercial deals, I think he’s looking at £40million at least. If he’s got good advisers it might be more.” Leicester’s astonishing title triumph after starting the season as 5,000-1 outsiders has put them in the international spotlight. And winning new fans in the Far East and USA makes their talisman Vardy hot property for firms such as sports giant Nike, who h he currently has a boot sponsorship with. Mr Wilson said: “These deals don’t come along often. Most companies go after teams, so he has a unique opportunity to enter an elite group.” He added: “If Vardy signed a brand ambassador deal with Nike, that alone could be worth up to £8million.” Vardy, who was playing for Fleetwood Town until Leicester signed him in 2012, can top up his income in numerous ways. His wedding to Becky Nicholson on May 25 will bring in t housands f r om a magazine deal and he will feature in a new TV advert for Mars. A film about his life is in the planning stage and books should follow. Mr Wilson, based at Sheffield Hallam University, said: “We’re looking at a film and book deal that could net £10million.” Vardy’ Vardy’s earnings could be even higher if he is te tempted to leave Leicester. Mr WilsonWi said: “He’ll be thinking, ‘I’m 29, d do I need to move?’ At his age the transfertransf fee wouldn’t be astronomical but his w wages could be triple what he’s on at the moment. “If one of the really big clubs goes in for him he could easily be looking at £ 200,0 200,000 a week. Leicester’s wage struct structure means they probably won’t want to pay that much. ““It’ll be interesting to see if he go goes the selfish route – or r recognises he’s in this position because of Leicester and maybe owes them a bit of loyalty.”
He has a unique opportunity now to enter an elite group