Michael Clarke signs million-dollar deal
New South Wales's Michael Clarke has been confirmed as the man at the centre of the biggest sporting-brand sponsorship deal in Australian cricket history
Wisden Cricinfo staff
10-Apr-2004
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The deal, which totally dwarfs the previous record - Steve Waugh's sponsorship with the Indian bat-manufacturer MRF in 2001 - is even more remarkable given that Clarke has yet to play a Test.
He will become the face of Dunlop-Slazenger in a three-year deal reported to be worth Aus$1.25 million. "There is a lot of pressure on me," Clarke told The Sun Herald. "But I try not to see it that way because this is what I want to do.
"I hope people are expecting a lot of me. I want it to happen and that's why all the money . . . doesn't faze me because, money or not, I will do whatever I need to do to play for Australia."
Clarke left for England on Friday to join up with Hampshire, where he has been set up with an apartment, a car and a lucrative financial package.