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Agencies battle to net Murray with £100m deal
Benedict Moore-Bridger29.12.08
A STRING of sports management companies are battling over tennis star Andy Murray by promising to make him £100million, it emerged today.
The world number four is believed to be considering a move away from his current representatives, Ace Group, and could soon share an agent with Hollywood stars including Tom Cruise and Steven Spielberg.
He is understood to have been made a "very good offer" by Creative Artists Agency, part of Simon Fuller's 19 Entertainment empire, which could see him join the ranks of sport's super-rich through endorsements and sponsorship.
But rival IMG, recognised as the top sports management company, and French conglomerate Lagardère Group, are also courting the Scot.
CAA is believed to be the front-runner to secure Murray's signature, and also has the world number three Novak Djokovic, as well as David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo on their books.
Murray's favourite comedian Will Ferrell is also signed to the company, which is confident the 21-year-old can be persuaded to sign.
The top two tennis players in the world, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, are on long-term contracts with IMG, while Lagardère Group has most of the top French players, including Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Richard Gasquet and Gilles Simon.
Murray already has a host of contracts to his name worth an estimated £10 million, engineered by his manager Patricio Apey.
He has replaced Andre Agassi as the face of Head racquets, and has a deal with Highland Spring mineral water, worth more than £1million a year. He also has other £1million-plus deals with Royal Bank of Scotland, clothing manufacturer Fred Perry, and David Lloyd Leisure, as well as less lucrative deals including the 2K computer games firm.
It comes on top of the £1.5 million prize money he has collected so far. Sports analysts believe that with the right management he could earn £100million. His earning power has been bolstered by his appearance in the US open final in September, cementing his position as the Briton most likely to win the All England Championships.
According to the Times, Murray's contract with Ace Group was due to expire. He would have had to inform Apey of his intention not to renew to have sparked the interest from agencies. The Scot's spokesman was unavailable for comment.
Reader views (2)
Hope he's not going to turn into another Macinroe. But you have to admit he's pretty good; he could even take Wimbledon in 2009. Thank goodness he's got rid of that awful geeky baseball cap, but he still could do with a decent haircut.
- Dhanraj, Basildon Essex
What I have seen of this person is of someone who appears to be thoroughly self centred, aggressive and subject to tantrums if he doesn't always get his own way. Another great role model then for our gullible youth of today! Message being - having a bad attitude brings you wealth. It's a shame because he's a good player and it would be great he was encouraged to drop all this attitude!
- Raymond, London
