Newly contracted NFL star Jarryd Hayne has landed his first major US contract signing with sportswear retailer Under Armour. The move on the weekend follows on from his fromer NRL team, the Parramatta Eels, revealing its plans to cash-in on Hayne’s recent move to the States.
What the apparel deal will actually amount to in dollars for Hayne is unclear but he joins some serious US sports stars already on the Under Amour roster including the world’s number one golfer Jordan Spieth, NBA star Stephen Curry and NRL quarterback Tom Brady.
Hayne, who reportedly said he was tiring of the media fuss around him, told Nine’s Today show of his deal: “This happened over the course of a couple of months going back and forth. It was great to get the deal done.”
Meanwhile, Hayne’s former NRL club, the Eels, have come to an agreement regarding his nickname the “Hayne Plane” which is being used on a raft of apparel alongside his new 49-er’s number “38”. The Eels – who spent last year’s off-season training with NFL teams in the States – are reportedly planning on taking a league game to San Francisco next year.
When Hayne’s deal was confirmed early last week, Aussie sports sponsorship expert, Jack Watts of Bastion EBA, told B&T that Hayne would add significant “0s” to any contract with his new high profile in the US.
“Given his status in America now the price tag will go up significantly and what a brand used to partner with Jarryd Hayne for will be significantly more now that he has global reach. His management will now be looking at endorsement deals both here and in America,” he said.
“It’s been reported he could earn as much as $US12 million but that depends on how he plays – is it all a fad? Will he be sitting on the bench for the whole season? That will determine how quickly people lose interest in him and how relevant he remains. But if he captures the imagination of the local American domestic market then the skies the limit because that’s where the real money is, those big US brands with lots of money to spend,” Watts said.
