The British and Irish Lions’ players are set to receive £70,000 ($92,870) each "as their basic tour fee for the tour of New Zealand next year" -- a 40% rise on the £50,000 they were paid for the tour of Australia in '13, according to Steve James of the London TELEGRAPH. In addition "they can expect an increase in bonus money" for winning after picking up nearly £25,000 ($33,170) per man for taking the series in Australia. Contracts "will be agreed in the coming months" but Lions’ CEO John Feehan has admitted there will be significant increases. He said, "Yes, that is a very reasonable assumption. If there is one thing that is certain in life it’s taxes, death and increasing wage bills for a Lions tour. We believe it’s a pretty chunky number and we don’t think the players should have anything to worry about as far as that’s concerned. The thing about a Lions tour is that all players are treated exactly the same. Unlike a Union or club, players are paid exactly the same whether they play or they don’t play a game. All three Tests or no Tests" (TELEGRAPH, 9/10). In London, Sam Peters wrote while players selected for the tour "can expect to be handsomely remunerated, clubs whose star players return on July 8 next year, seven weeks before the start of the Aviva Premiership campaign, will also receive financial compensation." The Lions’ insurance policy will exceed £1M ($1.3M) -- also the highest figure of all time in an increasingly physical sport -- and "will provide for players’ medical treatment and compensation for clubs who provide them." Six-time Lions doctor James Robson -- the highly respected Scottish Rugby Union senior medic -- "is expected to head up the medical team again next year" (DAILY MAIL, 9/10). Also in London, Nik Simon wrote replica British and Irish Lions jerseys will cost up to £120 ($160) for next year’s tour of New Zealand -- £30 ($40) more than the "Test" equivalent worn on the '13 series in Australia.
The limited edition shirts, "which go on sale in April, are an exact copy of those that Warren Gatland’s players will wear on the tour." A £70 ($92) supporters’ jersey -- up £10 ($13) since '13 -- will be released in November, when Canterbury unveil its design "after taking over from adidas as official manufacturer" (DAILY MAIL, 9/10).
