Popular names like Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni and Sachin Tendulkar all boast of Rs 1000+ crore net worths, thanks to not just their cricketing career but also other sources of income like brand endorsements and business ventures. But do you know which cricketer was the first to strike a Rs 100 crore deal, that too at age 28?
Meet the cricketer who scored the first-ever Rs 100 crore deal at age 28; and it’s not Virat Kohli or MS Dhoni
Back in 2001, Sachin Tendulkar made history when he became the first cricketer to sign a Rs 100 crore deal. According to India Today, the Master Blaster was guaranteed Rs 100 crore in off-field earnings by WorldTev. The sports agency was run by the late Mark Mascarenhas, who is famously known to have redefined celebrity management in the country. This gobsmacking deal reportedly made the then 28-year-old the richest and most valuable cricketer in the world, ever.
Sachin and Mark’s equation dates back to 1995, when Tendulkar first signed a deal with Mascarenhas’ sports management firm for a record-breaking Rs 45 crore, according to CNBC TV18. Mark took a chance on Sachin, at the cusp of superstardom at 22, and managed the commercial aspect of the cricketer’s career. The gamble paid off for both Tendulkar and Mascarenhas as the former’s celebrated career continues to be an inspiration.
In an interview with Network18, Sachin Tendulkar had shared how Mark Mascarenhas – who is like “family” to him – always made sure to not let the cricketer’s growing marketing obligations get in the way of what really mattered – cricket, and instead enabled him to focus on the game he loved.
Sachin shared, “Mark was someone who, when it came to my practice sessions and my preparation, he did not interfere at all. He always said, ‘I’m not going to make you cancel your practice session so that you could shoot it at work. He never prioritized an advertisement over practice.’”
While Sachin Tendulkar has successfully endorsed big brands like Adidas and Pepsi, some of his recent endorsements include brands like Tanishq, Apollo Tyres, JioCinema, Spinny, Ageas Federal Life Insurance, and more. According to the Economic Times, Sachin’s net worth stands at a colossal Rs 1250 crore. The former Mumbai Indians captain retired from all forms of cricket on November 16, 2023, after his 200th test match and a glorious 24-year-old-long career.
