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press.co.nz In the swim New world records for Sophie Pascoe B7 THE PRESS, Tuesday, October 1, 2013 B10 GOLF How much is Ko worth as a pro? $6m is ‘good starting point’ Matt Richens but that’s a pretty good starting [email protected] ● ●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●● ● point.’’ As well as a lucrative manage- Lydia Ko could pocket $6 million ment deal, Ko would also be in line when she decides to turn profes- for a number of endorsements sional. And that’s just the start. ranging from apparel, equipment, The 16-year-old sensation has hats, watches, shoes and even cars. leapt to No 5 in the official world Miller warned the money and rankings on the back of two wins deals might not roll in immedi- and nine top-10s in 14 professional ately. tournaments this year and her ‘‘I think the acid test will be in stock continues to rise. two to three years,’’ he said. When Ko turns professional – ‘‘I can see a management com- most believe it will be later this pany signing her up then year or early next – there are leveraging off her success in a few expected to be a number of suitors years and signing some bigger waiting in the wings. deals then on her behalf.’’ The value of endorsement deals In the way: The hype around American It could go beyond obvious for women are often well below Michelle Wie could count against Lydia endorsement deals, too; the very those for men, but Ko is a very Ko’s corporate appeal. top players can attract deals with attractive proposition from a man- corporates that have nothing to do agement and marketing point of with something special in the top with golf. view, says Auckland-based Roar two inches.’’ However, Miller said the hype Sports Marketing director Hamish What all that is worth isn’t easy around one of Ko’s idols, American Miller. to calculate. Michelle Wie, could count against Miller, a former A1GP, ‘‘I know it sounds like a cop out, Ko’s appeal with corporates, Warriors and New Zealand Foot- but she’ll be worth what people are initially at least. ball marketing manager and willing to pay, there’s no simple ‘‘Wie hasn’t succeeded as well footballer Ryan Nelsen’s business formula for these things,’’ Miller as some perhaps thought she could partner, said Ko’s age, ‘‘immense said. have. That could temper some of talent’’ and the way she handled Two other industry experts, the corporates’ involvement.’’ pressure made her a marketing who wish to remain anonymous, There might be more of a wait- dream. suggested Ko’s initial management and-see approach from some. ‘‘All the characteristics that top, contract could be worth about half Regardless of how much Ko top athletes have, she appears to of that of fellow Kiwi Danny Lee. signs for or how many deals she have,’’ Miller said. Lee signed with management picks up when she does turn pro, ‘‘There’s no shortage of top giant IMG when he turned pro in one thing seems certain; the $1.8m athletes, but what differentiates 2009 for a reported US$10m in prizemoney she would have col- them is the top two inches and the (NZ$12.07m). lected from her 25 professional way Lydia has performed under Miller said half of that figure tournaments, but forfeited by pressure shows she has it. Those ‘‘sounded about right’’. remaining an amateur, will who are going to make it are those ‘‘It really is hard to work out, comfortably be surpassed. RUGBY McCaw on track for Boks clash Liam Napier him now but that is the reality of Johannesburg History tells you it’s a big one but ● ●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●● ● playing alongside McCaw. this team is about making its own ‘‘The more time you spend in Richie McCaw’s probable return the black jersey the more comfort- against the Springboks this week history. able you get,’’ Cane said. ‘‘You couldn’t have come at a better time Steve Hansen can’t really be judged off one per- for the All Blacks. All Blacks coach formance, you’re always trying to After training fully in Buenos go out there and prove yourself.’’ Aires, McCaw is expected to dem- ship started that I’d play those despite leaving the field at halftime Hansen is aware the All Blacks onstrate his remarkable healing three games like I did I’d be happy, with a groin strain in Sunday’s have won just three of 11 games at powers when the All Blacks touch but not extremely.’’ 33-15 win over the Pumas. Ellis Park. He knows the hostile down after a 12-hour flight in McCaw’s injury-enforced North Harbour tighthead Ben environment there. And he knows Johannesburg this morning. absence and Matt Todd’s surgery Afeaki will be called in as cover the Boks will raise the intensity Initially predicted to be out for has the All Blacks skipper contem- and Charlie Faumuina would be after clocking off in the second half up to five weeks, the 32-year-old is plating a healthy diet of rugby promoted to start if Franks was not of their 28-8 win over the Wallabies now on track to confront the Boks between now and the 2015 World fit. in Cape Town. at Ellis Park, though he will have Cup. McCaw’s pending switch from ‘‘History tells you it’s a big one to survive full contact training this ‘‘Having this injury and miss- water boy to starting openside also but this team is about making its week. ing a few games could potentially threatens to overshadow Sam own history,’’ Hansen said. ‘‘It’s His likely presence at the scene mean I play as many games as I Cane’s progress. just another ground and a place of the 1995 World Cup final – where can for the rest of this year,’’ he ‘‘I don’t want to downplay what that we need to play well at. The the All Blacks haven’t won for 16 said. ‘‘Then with a guy like Matt Sam Cane’s done the last couple of key thing is are we going to play years – and ability to approach and Todd being injured I’ll have to weeks. He’s been fantastic,’’ All well enough to win it. We know influence referees could be vital in make sure I’m on deck at the start Blacks coach Steve Hansen said. we’re capable of doing it. We’ve got the heat of a momentous occasion. of the season [for the Crusaders]. ‘‘The other guy is probably the to believe and prepare in that After returning from his six- ‘‘You get to 12 months time and greatest player we’ve ever had so fashion. month sabbatical, McCaw is satis- you’re on the countdown for the it’ll be nice to have him back on ‘‘I was surprised the Boks didn’t fied with his three tests this year – World Cup. It’s going to come the track. He’s a highly regarded get more points actually. They against Australia and Argentina – around pretty quick. You want to member of the team.’’ were all over them in the first half but feels he is nowhere near his play as many games as you can In his last two tests Cane has and then lost their way a little bit peak yet. because you don’t know how many silenced the doubters. After laying in the second. They will be disap- ‘‘I was a bit nervous getting you’re going to have left, really.’’ down a marker by playing on with pointed but, like us, they’re well back into it, as you can imagine,’’ McCaw’s comeback is a major a nasty head gash against the Boks aware of what has to happen at the Waterboy no more: All Black captain Richie McCaw is set to resume a playing role after being sideline support in Sunday’s test McCaw told Fairfax Media. boost while injured prop Owen at Eden Park, he backed that up in weekend and they’ll get up for it in against Argentina. Photo: GETTY IMAGES ‘‘If I’d said before the champion- Franks also flew to South Africa La Plata. It seems cruel to drop a big way.’’ Ellis Park ‘killing ground’ for All Blacks Memory lane no Richard Knowler Park it will be tougher again,’’ playing at altitude – Johannesburg [email protected] ● ●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●● ● Mains declared. is 1753m above sea level longer beckons ‘‘Believe me, the Springboks are – Mains said the dry air could still Laurie Mains knows more than a better team than what we saw in be of some discomfort for touring Richard Knowler life and I don’t let rugby dominate ● ●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●● ● most New Zealanders why Ellis Auckland, where the referee sides. it anymore. Park could be a killing ground for destroyed the game and it largely ‘‘It has always been difficult for You won’t find a tape of the dra- Mains, along with John Hart, is the All Blacks. counted against them. The All visiting teams in that 15 minutes matic 1995 World Cup final at the only coach to take the All Mains, a former coach of the All Blacks will do extremely well to before halftime and in the last 20 Ellis Park – or any other games for Blacks to Ellis Park more than Blacks and the Johannesburg- win it. minutes of a match.’’ that matter – in Laurie Mains’ once. Both have a 1-1 record.

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