New Zealand's Top sporting rich list   30 Sep 2014

The Herald reveals who they believe are the highest-paid New Zealand sports people and look at how they make a living on and off the pitch. 

Danny Lee (golf) - $960,000

Ranked 255th in the world, Korean-born Kiwi golfer Danny Lee still makes a pretty handy living on the PGA Tour. A large chunk of Lee's $1.6 million career earnings was pocketed this season, with the former Rotorua Boys' High School student racking up $960,000 so far this year.

Lee's best PGA Tour finish of his career came in March this year when he placed second at the Puerto Rico Open, taking home $450,000.

The former world No1 amateur first qualified for the PGA Tour in 2012, but failed to retain his Tour card the next season, missing out by just one stroke. But after a consistent season in 2013, where he finished 15th on web.com Tour Order of Merit, Lee returned to the PGA circuit this season.

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.

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

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.

16 Ross Taylor (cricket)
$930,000

New Zealand Cricket's first $1 million man in the Indian Premier League, Taylor's earnings have shrunk a little in recent seasons with the money not flowing as freely in the Indian Leagues as it once was. But the ever-consistent Taylor is still one of the country's highest earners in sport.

Taylor receives a top tier contract with NZ cricket, estimated to be worth $195,000. When you throw match fees into the mix, he could clear more than $350,000 a year with the Black Caps. But it is in the Twenty20 leagues where he has made his riches. In 2011 Taylor was snapped up by the Rajasthan Royals for $1.32 million - the biggest pay day for a Kiwi cricketer. The following year he took up a contract with the Delhi Daredevils, worth about $1.1 million. But Taylor took a significant pay cut this year when he was not picked up in the first round of the IPL auction, and was later sold to the Daredevils for $390,000.

He also played in the Caribbean Premier League for Trinidad and Tobago for a contract said to be worth at least $100,000.

Taylor is a brand ambassador with Gunn & Moore international. The deal, which is highly incentivised, is believed to be worth about $80,000.

He owns three properties in Hamilton and one in Palmerston North.

17 Mark Hunt (UFC) - $890,000

Mark Hunt is New Zealand's biggest name involved in the world's fastest growing sport.

Hunt recently signed a new six-fight deal with UFC worth about US$350,000 ($445,000) per fight, win, lose or draw. Given the brutal nature of the sport, Hunt only fights twice a year bringing his annual income to about $890,000. He could earn a further US$500,000 if he challenges for the UFC heavyweight title, but it is very much a long shot for him to get that opportunity.

Hunt can also earn a US$50,000 bonus if he is awarded "fight of the night" honours, as he has done in four of his past six bouts.

Despite his high profile in the UFC world, Hunt has struggled to attract sponsorship dollars. Even his recent agreement with Sky Arena is geared more towards assisting him with promotion, rather than further lining his pockets. Hunt has a couple of low-level sponsors who cover his training camp costs, which can be as much as $70,000 per camp.

18 Daniel Vettori (cricket) $840,000

Former Black Caps skipper Daniel Vettori may no longer be on a national contract, but it has freed him up to chase big money contracts in the twilight of his career.

Over the past few seasons he has plied his trade in the IPL, Australia's Big Bash League and the Caribbean Cricket League.

The bulk of his income over the past year has come from his coaching role in the IPL, but as he is also still playing, he qualifies for the list. Vettori's contract with the Royal Challengers Bangalore is thought to be worth $550,000.

His Australian Big Bash League and Caribbean Premier League T20 contracts are estimated to be worth more than $100,000 each.

Vettori's signature look - his glasses - have also proved profitable for him as an ambassador for Specsavers.

Vettori owns a home in the upmarket Auckland suburb of St Heliers valued at $1.83 million, and a block of residential flats in Hamilton worth $1.05 million.

He owns further properties through his investment companies, and also owns shares in a civil engineering firm.

Vettori played the last of his 111 tests for New Zealand in July 2012, while his last ODI was against England at Cardiff in 2013.

19 Carl Hayman (rugby) $820,000

Former All Black prop Carl Hayman became one of the first high-profile New Zealand players to head offshore in the prime of his career when he joined the Newcastle Falcons after the 2007 World Cup.

At the time the $1 million a year deal made him the highest-paid rugby player in the world. Seven years on and Hayman continues to command top dollar from European clubs.

The 34-year-old is now with French side Toulon, where he reportedly earns $68,000/month, just under $820,000 a season. Hayman joined Toulon in late 2010, initially signing on for two seasons at $1.2 million a year. The move came as a blow to the NZRU, who believed they had put together a competitive offer to lure the tight-head prop back home ahead of the 2011 World Cup.

Hayman said at the time his decision came down to "financial and lifestyle" reasons.

20 James McDonald (jockey) $800,000

Rated one of the brightest talents in the saddle in world racing, young jockey James McDonald is cashing in across the Tasman. The 22-year-old claimed the 2013/14 Sydney jockeys' premiership in July when he notched up his 72nd win in the final meet on the Sydney racing calendar. It was only his second full season in Sydney.

With 305 career wins, McDonald's rider earnings amount to more than $28 million, with about $1.4 million of that going straight into his pockets. A big chunk - about $800,000 - of his career earnings have come in the past 12 months.

His big win of the season came in April when he claimed the Golden Slipper at Rosehill, taking home A$150,000 for his efforts. The youngster celebrated by buying a new BMW, and is now planning his next big purchase - an apartment on Sydney's Coogee Beach.

- NZ Herald

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