Former National Rugby League player Jarryd Hayne could earn a "staggering" A$12M ($8.59M) in endorsement deals if he transforms "Haynemania" into an NFL contract, according to Nick Walshaw of the Sydney DAILY TELEGRAPH. Officially, the 27-year-old will forgo at least A$2M ($1.43M) over three years should he make the San Francisco 49ers roster, "rather than return home to an NRL bolstered by the new TV broadcast deal." Yet with Hayne's profile "continuing to rise" in California, U.S. experts are tipping the Aussie could earn up to $3M per season from "various blue chip corporations." San Francisco sports marketer Bob Dorfman predicted Hayne could break the A$12M barrier during his three-year deal. Apart from becoming the face of "energy drinks and sports cars," Dorfman said that the Sydneysider "could also spruik Australian companies" involved in the U.S. market such as Qantas, Foster's and Outback Steakhouse. Dorfman: "Who knows, he might even get Americans to like Vegemite. ... Jarryd's already beginning to break out nationally and, with another strong performance or two, could definitely vault up into cover boy territory -- and Haynemania." Hayne's U.S. agent Jack Bechta also hinted at the "endorsement hype" on Monday, revealing he and a marketing team were already preparing "for a successful outcome to this journey." Bechta: "First and foremost, he's a 49er trying to make the team. There is nothing else consuming him. Sure, there's been an increase in his marketing availability since the Houston game. But it would be premature to address them now." Should Hayne make the 49ers roster, he will earn $1.58M over the next three years. Back home in Sydney, however, Hayne would command more than A$1M ($720,000) annually. Which is "why everyone is now starting to talk endorsements," with N.Y. marketer Ed Mitzen telling Fox Sports this week Hayne could net $10M annually (DAILY TELEGRAPH, 8/25).
