League SBW fields staggering $9 million offer from Toronto Wolfpack
Sonny Bill Williams is weighing up the richest contract in the history of either rugby code after a jaw-dropping offer to switch back to the 13-a-side game from Super League-bound club Toronto Wolfpack.
Williams' tilt at another Rugby World Cup triumph with New Zealand was stopped in its tracks by Eddie Jones's England in Japan on Saturday and the 34-year-old is now preparing to turn out for the All Blacks in the tournament's third-place play-off against Wales.
The former NRL premiership winner appeared set to hang up the boots this year but it has emerged the cross-code star has received contract offers in recent weeks which would top any pay packet he has earned throughout his 16-year career.
The Wolfpack are prepared to pay Williams as much as $9 million over two years, according to a source with knowledge of the contract negotiation.
If he puts pen to paper on the staggering deal, it would make him the highest paid player in the history of either code.
Williams would be signed as a Super League marquee player and according to the rules of that competition only $300,000 of a marquee player's annual wage counts under the salary cap.
The remainder does not count under the cap, allowing cashed-up clubs to pay big-name players exorbitant salaries.
Williams has also received multi-year, multi-million dollar offers from overseas rugby clubs which would still make him one of the highest paid players in the history of either sport.
The enormous sums being offered to Williams will blow any NRL suitors out of the water despite some clubs having registered interest in the All Blacks star in recent months.
Sydney Roosters chairman Nick Politis met with Williams' agent, Khoder Nasser, earlier this month but the glamour club will not be able to compete with the money being thrown at the two-time NRL premiership winner.
However, Politis is interested in bringing Williams back to the club in a coaching or other capacity once his playing days are finally behind him.
The Wolfpack are funded by Australian mining billionaire David Argyle, who confirmed interest in bringing Williams to Toronto earlier this year.
"We are working towards making Sonny Bill Williams a Wolfpack player for 2020. We would love to have him join the Wolfpack family and we will pay whatever it takes to make that happen," Argyle told Fox Sports in February.
"The excitement he would bring to the sport of rugby league in this country would be incredible."
Argyle compared the potential signing Williams to the move made by David Beckham to LA Galaxy from Real Madrid in 2007.
"Having someone of his talent join the Wolfpack would greatly raise the profile of the club, but also help move the game forward globally," he said at the time.
"Sonny is a phenomenal athlete. He is rugbys LeBron James and we see his recruitment as bigger than when David Beckham joined LA Galaxy. He is box office and puts bums on seats."
Williams is still in Japan with the All Blacks as they prepare to face Wales in Friday's third-place play-off in Tokyo.
Outgoing All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has copped criticism from New Zealand media in the days after the loss to England for not starting Williams in the centres.
Toronto will feature in the England-based Super League for the first time next year, having earned promotion by beating Featherstone Rovers in the Million Pound Game in Ontario earlier this month.
The club only played their first professional match three years ago, with former Leeds coach Brian McDermott taking the reins and leading the club to Super League promotion in his first season in charge.
https://www.msn.com/en-au/sport/rugb...cid=spartandhp
Williams' tilt at another Rugby World Cup triumph with New Zealand was stopped in its tracks by Eddie Jones's England in Japan on Saturday and the 34-year-old is now preparing to turn out for the All Blacks in the tournament's third-place play-off against Wales.
The former NRL premiership winner appeared set to hang up the boots this year but it has emerged the cross-code star has received contract offers in recent weeks which would top any pay packet he has earned throughout his 16-year career.
The Wolfpack are prepared to pay Williams as much as $9 million over two years, according to a source with knowledge of the contract negotiation.
If he puts pen to paper on the staggering deal, it would make him the highest paid player in the history of either code.
Williams would be signed as a Super League marquee player and according to the rules of that competition only $300,000 of a marquee player's annual wage counts under the salary cap.
The remainder does not count under the cap, allowing cashed-up clubs to pay big-name players exorbitant salaries.
Williams has also received multi-year, multi-million dollar offers from overseas rugby clubs which would still make him one of the highest paid players in the history of either sport.
The enormous sums being offered to Williams will blow any NRL suitors out of the water despite some clubs having registered interest in the All Blacks star in recent months.
Sydney Roosters chairman Nick Politis met with Williams' agent, Khoder Nasser, earlier this month but the glamour club will not be able to compete with the money being thrown at the two-time NRL premiership winner.
However, Politis is interested in bringing Williams back to the club in a coaching or other capacity once his playing days are finally behind him.
The Wolfpack are funded by Australian mining billionaire David Argyle, who confirmed interest in bringing Williams to Toronto earlier this year.
"We are working towards making Sonny Bill Williams a Wolfpack player for 2020. We would love to have him join the Wolfpack family and we will pay whatever it takes to make that happen," Argyle told Fox Sports in February.
"The excitement he would bring to the sport of rugby league in this country would be incredible."
Argyle compared the potential signing Williams to the move made by David Beckham to LA Galaxy from Real Madrid in 2007.
"Having someone of his talent join the Wolfpack would greatly raise the profile of the club, but also help move the game forward globally," he said at the time.
"Sonny is a phenomenal athlete. He is rugbys LeBron James and we see his recruitment as bigger than when David Beckham joined LA Galaxy. He is box office and puts bums on seats."
Williams is still in Japan with the All Blacks as they prepare to face Wales in Friday's third-place play-off in Tokyo.
Outgoing All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has copped criticism from New Zealand media in the days after the loss to England for not starting Williams in the centres.
Toronto will feature in the England-based Super League for the first time next year, having earned promotion by beating Featherstone Rovers in the Million Pound Game in Ontario earlier this month.
The club only played their first professional match three years ago, with former Leeds coach Brian McDermott taking the reins and leading the club to Super League promotion in his first season in charge.
https://www.msn.com/en-au/sport/rugb...cid=spartandhp