Over four days the Herald will reveal who we believe are the 20 highest-paid New Zealand sports people and look at how they make a living on and off the pitch. Alongside that we will also look at the highest-paid players in each of our major sports and how our
Top 20 sporting rich list: Part 2
NZ Herald
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Danny Lee, Dean Barker and John Afoa.
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John Afoa (rugby) - $1 million
One of the more unlikely names to feature in world rugby's top earners column, former All Blacks prop John Afoa ranks among the highest-paid players in European rugby.
Photo / Getty Images
After two seasons with Irish club Ulster, Afoa penned a four-year deal with Gloucester in December reportedly worth $1 million a season. The deal makes him the highest-paid player in England's Aviva Premiership, and the third-highest earner in Europe, behind only glamour first-fives Jonny Wilkinson (who has since retired) and Jonathon Sexton.
The 36-test All Black was expected to return to Auckland this year to fight for a place in the 2015 World Cup squad after his family were unable to settle in Northern Ireland, but the NZRU were unable to offer anything close to what the strong-running prop could earn in England or France. However, the dollars on offer wasn't the sole driver in his decision - it is understood he passed over even bigger money from French clubs in favour of more family-friendly Gloucester.
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Dean Barker (sailing) - $1 million
At the helm of Team New Zealand since 2003, Dean Barker has resisted several big money offers to join overseas syndicates over the years, but still derives a healthy income from the Kiwi team. His annual salary with Team NZ during the last campaign, in which he came agonisingly close to snatching the America's Cup from defenders Oracle Team USA, was rumoured to be around $1 million.
Photo / AFP
Off the boat, Barker has also enjoyed serious financial success in the business world. He owns a half-share in Kiwi Yachting Consultants, a company that specialises in sourcing and supplying marine products. His investment portfolio also includes several commercial properties including a $3.5 million building on New North Rd, and commercial units in Papatoetoe valued at a combined $2.6 million based on 2011 valuations.
The 2004 Olympian and wife Mandy also have an impressive residential property portfolio. The couple sold their sprawling villa on one of Auckland's most desirable streets in Herne Bay in April last year after buying the property next door a week earlier. The $5.8 million sale was the biggest in Auckland for that quarter. They also own a holiday home in Omaha valued at $2.3 million, and a $1 million home in Pt Chevalier.
Corey Anderson (cricket) - $1.03m
A world-record 36-ball ODI century against West Indies on New Year's Day effectively set Black Cap Corey Anderson up for life. The phenomenal innings, and a couple of blazing knocks against India during their tour to New Zealand, saw Anderson become hot property in this year's IPL player auctions. He was snapped up by the Mumbai Indians for $866,000 - an experience he described as a life-changing event for him.
Photo / Christine Cornege
The 23-year-old's performances over the summer also saw him move up the pecking order in NZ Cricket's national contracting system, with Anderson picking up a mid-tier contract for the 2014-15 season. Combined with match fees, Anderson can expect to earn at least $120,000 over the season.
With his growing profile in the cricketing world, sponsorship and endorsement opportunities are increasingly opening up for Anderson. The left-hander currently stars in a Rebel Sport ad, which highlights his freakish talents with the bat.
Brendon McCullum (cricket) - $1.1m
Black Caps skipper Brendon McCullum is one of the few global stars New Zealand cricket possesses, with his magnificent triple-century in the final test of the summer against India - the first New Zealander to reach the milestone - underlining his status as a world-class batsman.
Photo / Mark Mitchell
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McCullum is on a top-tier contract with NZ Cricket, which puts him on a retainer of about $190,000, and as captain earns an extra $40,000. Once you include match payments, his national contract is worth up to $400,000. But it is Twenty20 contracts that have proved the biggest goldmine. McCullum was one of a handful of Kiwi players to cash in big on the IPL in the first couple of years when the contracts were significantly higher - he scored a $1.07 million deal with Kolkata Knight Riders in 2012. His earning potential in 2014 was reduced after the IPL salary cap cut - but he still stands to pocket a healthy $627,000 this season with the Chennai Super Kings.
The Black Caps skipper is just one of a handful of New Zealand cricketers who can command paid gear endorsement deals. His international agreement with Puma is estimated to be worth about $80,000.
Just last week McCullum sold his six-bedroom family home in St Albans, Christchurch, for more than $3.5 million, although the final sum was not disclosed. The most recent valuation was $3.53 million. McCullum also owns a property in Invercargill.
View the first five here: Top 20 sporting rich list: Part 1.
