Player contracts are only one source of income for the biggest sports stars on the planet, in fact most of them rake in more cash via endorsements than they do from their teams. Nike gave LeBron James a $90M deal before he even graduated high school. Buick put more money into Tiger Woods’ pockets than he could ever possibly spend. Heck, even Derek Jeter is out pimping panoramic vista sunroofs.
Hideki Matsui, International Superstar, surely has a few endorsement deals back in Japan, but it turns out his marketability increased tremendously after winning World Series MVP. Here’s a bit from the crew at NPB Tracker:
According to reports, since the MVP performance in the World Series he has had eight offers to appear in commercials (three from existing sponsors and five additional prospective sponsors). Matsui’s price tag for each commercial appearance is estimated in the same range as Ichiro Suzuki, and his MVP performance could bring in up $10 million in earnings this off-season.
Media demand has also rocketed for Matsui, as he has received an estimated 100 requests for television and event appearances in his home country. Even though his home for next season has yet to be determined, it’s not an understatement to say his new team (if the Yankees does not re-sign him) will have an opportunity to develop a big presence in the Land of the Rising Sun.
You’d have to think that playing in New York only increases a player’s exposure, leading to more endorsements and more dollars. Obviously Matsui’s cashing in on it, but what about Chien-Ming Wang?
The guy’s literally a national hero in Taiwan, so you know he’s making some pretty sweet coin on the side. There’s a chance the Yanks will non-tender the righthander, and it’s hard to imagine him landing a large guaranteed contract coming off his shoulder injury. Assuming that, maybe Wanger would be willing to come back to the Yanks on a (relatively) cheap deal in order to keep those big endorsement bucks coming in. I mean, really, how marketable is a Kansas City Royal internationally? Or a San Diego Padre? Not very, or at least not as much as a New York Yankee.
Anywho, here’s your open thread for the night. The friggin’ Browns and Ravens are you MNF game (yippee), plus the Isles and Devils are also in action. Talk about whatever you want, just make sure you follow the guidelines.
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