Andy Murray has "exploited his professional success to a much lesser extent than his peers at the top of the sport," according to Murad Ahmed of the FINANCIAL TIMES. Murray is "only now, having won his second Wimbledon title and Olympic gold this year, on track to becoming one of the world's highest paid athletes." People close to the player say he "has not attempted to maximise his earnings, being reluctant to take time away from a rigorous playing schedule." Sponsorship deals often "require attendance at a significant number" of corporate events. Murray has sought agreements where brands are "content just to use his image." He spends "more than 40 weeks in a year either training or competing in tournaments, and devotes only one week to promotional work." Regardless of any more deals, bonus incentives built into current sponsorship contracts will see Murray’s earnings "rise substantially," should he maintain his world No. 1 ranking. Murray’s business team is also "in talks to sign two new corporate sponsors in the coming weeks, according to people with knowledge of the player’s commercial deals and industry insiders." Sports consultancy NC Partnership Founder Nigel Currie said, "The returns for Murray can be huge. The likes of Federer and Michael Schumacher [the Formula One driver] were earning upwards of $50 million a year for the period they were dominating their sports. I think Murray could get up towards that if he can maintain his position at the top" (FINANCIAL TIMES, 11/28).
