Dustin Martin is set to become one of Australia’s most marketable athletes and could command a salary of well over $2 million a year if he plays his cards right.
The footy bad-boy, covered in tattoos with a trademark mohawk and no-nonsense attitude to match, took out the Brownlow Medal for 2017 in record style.
Considered by many AFL veterans to have just finished one of the greatest seasons in the code’s history, Martin now has his sights set on securing his financial future.
The 26-year-old only recently signed a seven-year contract with the Richmond Tigers worth roughly $8million, but could double his yearly income with sponsorship deals.
Dustin Martin could command a salary of over $2 million a year if he wins the AFL Grand Final
The 26-year-old (right) only recently signed a seven-year contract with the Richmond Tigers worth roughly $8million, but could double his yearly income with sponsorship deals
Considered by many AFL veterans to have just finished one of the greatest seasons in the code’s history, Martin now has his sights set on securing his financial future
According to leading celebrity publicist Max Markson, Martin could easily pick up two or three major sponsors for 2018 with his newfound popularity.
‘He’s on the same level or if not bigger than Buddy Franklin,’ Mr Markson told Daily Mail Australia.
‘The next step for him is doing some endorsements – if he can get another two or three at a quarter of a million (dollars) a year each that’s over two million.’
Mr Markson said the ‘rough around the edges’ look would be more likely to draw major corporations in than scare them off.
‘When you look on TV commercials at the moment, they’re normally using clean cut young athletes. He’s different to that.’
‘The tattooed image definitely works for him and he’s a superstar footballer.
‘He’s appealing to the youth market and if you’re going to sell a product like a Coke or McDonalds or a car company – they’ve got the money in the budget (to spare).’
Mr Markson said that Martin would likely be charging up to $5,000 per public appearance now, but could double that fee to $10,000 if he won the Grand Final.
Mr Markson said that Martin would likely be charging up to $5,000 per public appearance now, but could double that fee to $10,000 if he won the Grand Final (pictured eyeing down Cup)
Martin (pictured with rumoured ex-girlfriend Bonnie Anderson and hot shot manager Ralph Carr) is expected to pick up two or three major sponsors worth $250,000 each
‘He’s on the same level or if not bigger than Buddy Franklin,’ celebrity publicist Max Markson told Daily Mail Australia
Mr Markson said the ‘rough around the edges’ look would be more likely to draw major corporations in than scare them off
He added that while Martin’s Richmond contract would likely restrict him from doing regular signings, he could still earn a significant amount signing merchandise.
‘He would probably command $40 to $50 a signature which is a whole lot.’
He said that if roughly 500 people came to a public outing with Martin where he was posing for photographs and signing merchandise, that could equate to a staggering maximum of $25,000 profit from signings.
Mr Markson said Martin had the ‘David Beckham’ appeal, and would have won over a lot of fans after showing his loyalty to Richmond and accepting a lesser paycheck than what rival club North Melbourne had reportedly offered him.
‘He’s got the potential to be a true national star, the potential to be meteoric,’ Mr Markson said. ‘People love loyalty.’
When it comes to finances, Martin is notoriously blunt with media but savvy with his decisions, under the guidance of his hotshot manager Ralph Carr.
Rather than field countless interviews following his resigning to Richmond last month, Martin sold the rights to his announcement to Channel Nine’s The Footy Show for a rumoured $50,000.
In another interview, Martin simply walked out of the room when probed about a promotion he did to help out close friend and footy mentor Mark Williams.
Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Martin’s boot sponsor Puma to confirm whether he is still one of the brand’s international ambassadors.
Rather than field countless interviews following his resigning to Richmond last month, Martin sold the rights to his announcement to Channel Nine’s The Footy Show for a rumoured $50,000
When it comes to finances, Martin is notoriously blunt with media but savvy with his decisions, under the guidance of his hotshot manager Ralph Carr
Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Martin’s boot sponsor Puma to confirm whether he is still one of the brand’s international ambassadors (mural in Melbourne commissioned by Puma pictured)