Sonny Bill Williams Responsible For Bringing In Millions For National Rugby League Clubs

National Rugby League Sydney Roosters player Sonny Bill Williams "can now rightly be called Money Bill Williams," according to Dean Ritchie of the DAILY TELEGRAPH. Thursday night's season-opener between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and Sydney Roosters "will generate a staggering" A$2.65M ($2.7M). Most of that cash "stems from the arrival" of Williams. Rival NRL clubs will bank nearly A$3M this year "thanks to Williams's extraordinary pulling power." Gate-takings for Thursday night's game at Allianz Stadium will pass the A$1M mark, and 60 of the 65 corporate suites "have been sold." The stadium's three dining rooms "have also been sold out," pulling in another A$200,000, while merchandise will pass A$100,000. At matches this season featuring Williams, "crowds are expected to increase" by an average of 6,000 -- representing a bonus of nearly A$3M for rival clubs (DAILY TELEGRAPH, 3/3).