JAMAICA’S?Usain Bolt, the 2012 London Olympics triple gold medal winner, is more than just the fastest human on earth.
He is also among the world’s highest paid athletes with gross earnings of US$20 million in 2012. Most of the money came from endorsements, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
The sports legend, who also won three gold medals in the 100, 200, and the 4×100-metre relay in the Beijing Olympics in 2008, is being paid millions by a range of major corporate brands such as Puma, Gatorade, Nissan, Visa, Hublot and Virgin Media. For instance, he is reported to have earned US$9 million alone from Puma for wearing their brand of shoes.
Experts put his current net worth at US$30 million, which they expect to skyrocket to US$100 million in the next few years.
“Usain Bolt’s net worth is going to explode even more in the coming years, thanks to his performance at the 2012 Olympics,” stated Celebrity Net Worth which tracks the earnings and the overall wealth of national and international sports and entertainment figures.
“Considering Usain is only 25 years old today, he is young enough to compete in the 2016 Brazil Olympics.
“If that’s the case, and he stays on pace with earnings, Usain Bolt’s net worth should be well over US$100 million when he arrives in Brazil in 2016.”
Bolt, the World sprint champion, is going to New Zealand next month to promote Gatorade, for which he would be paid a handsome fee.
“We are unbelievably excited to bring the fastest man on earth to New Zealand,” said Mark Callaghan, chief executive of Frucor Beverages.
“Coming off his recent performance, Usain well and truly earned his place in history as the fastest man to ever compete. New Zealand is a relatively new market for the brand and we’re looking forward to launching Gatorade in an exciting way with Usain’s visit.”
Michael Jordan, retired National Basketball Association great; Peyton Manning of the National Football League; Serena Williams, Wimbledon and US Open lawn tennis champion; Dwayne Wade and Derek Jeter, captain of New York Yankees baseball team, are top-ranked sports figures who have been spokespersons for Gatorade.
Interestingly, Bolt, whose first love in sports was cricket when he was a youngster in Jamaica, and who turned to track and field at the suggestion of his cricket coach who recognized his speed and urged him to concentrate on running, has expressed an interest in returning to the sport as a professional in Australia’s Big Bash.
Another Jamaican Olympic medallist, Yohan Blake, has also expressed an interest in playing T20 cricket in Australia.
“Growing up, I always wanted to bat against Brett Lee because they say he is really quick, so I wanted to see what he is made of,” said the Olympic triple medallist.
“Usain and I said, ‘Let’s go to Australia and play some cricket. Let’s check out the Big Bash and see what it is all about’.
“I know these guys are really quick, but I am always ready and I am always playing cricket. I have my bowling machine and my batting machine at home, so I have been practising and getting ready for that,” said Blake.
