Real Madrid broke the world record for the most expensive football transfer this week, splurging $NZ170 million on Gareth Bale. That is some serious money. How much do we think other sports stars are worth? Hayden Meikle, Adrian Seconi and Steve Hepburn make it up as they go along.
Lionel Messi
Football
Claim to fame: Fifa world player of the year by 21, won everything with Barcelona, now mentioned in same breath as Pele and Maradona.
Meikle says: He's the greatest living sportsman. End of story. On the Bale scale, Li'l Lionel is worth $400 million.
Seconi says: Three times the player of Bale, so perhaps half the gross domestic product of Sierra Leone in 2009. That's about $1 billion.
Hepburn says: Class act, who has scored more goals than the whole of the Phoenix in its entire existence. Perhaps lucky to be in a two-team league. $350 million.
Average worth: $583 million.
LeBron James
Basketball
Claim to fame: Best player in the world, has won two NBA titles and claimed four NBA MVP awards.
Meikle says: The king of the hardwood. Better than Jordan? Not quite. But easily worth $350 million.
Seconi says: King James ought to have at least an island or two to rule over. $500 million.
Hepburn says: A premier athlete and steps up when the heat is on. Is still going bald, though. $450 million.
Average worth: $433 million.
Usain Bolt
Athletics
Claim to fame: In the time it took to type this sentence, Bolt ran the 100m in 9.58sec.
Meikle says: Awesome, but we only really care about him once every four years. I'll throw him $200 million.
Seconi says: The fastest man in history and never late for the bus. Billion-dollar Bolt.
Hepburn says: Anyone (well, most of us) can run, so the man who can run the most quickly surely must be worth something large. $300 million.
Average worth: $500 million.
Tiger Woods
Golf
Claim to fame: Was the world's most committed adulterer for years and kept it hidden. And is the greatest golfer since Nicklaus.
Meikle says: Tricky, this one. Still a great golfer but has forgotten how to win majors. About $150 million will do.
Seconi says: He is bound to be worth a few bob once he's been put out to stud. $200 million.
Hepburn says: Has not won the big ones when it counts for five years. That matters. A flat-track bully, perhaps. $100 million, but that would increase if Steve Williams comes back to carry his bags.
Average worth: $150 million.
Floyd Mayweather
Boxing
Claim to fame: Undefeated as a professional, the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.
Meikle says: Silky smooth and utterly dominant. A good $200 million worth.
Seconi says: Whatever he demands. Who is going to argue with a punchy $150 million.
Hepburn says: Boring to watch. We only ever care about heavyweights, if they are any good. $75 million.
Average worth: $142 million.
Serena Williams
Tennis
Claim to fame: No 1 in the world, 31 grand slam titles.
Meikle says: Doesn't get the credit she deserves, if you ask me. I'd shell out $225 million.
Seconi says: When she is at the top of her game, she is phenomenal. Serve is worth a cool $100 million.
Hepburn says: When on form, is unbeatable. But women's tennis is just too flakey, and the chicks do not sell tickets. $60 millionAverage worth: $128 million.
Jacques Kallis
Cricket
Claim to fame: The premier all-rounder in the game.
Meikle says: He lacks a little wow factor but you can't deny his greatness. About $130 million should suffice.
Seconi says: So underrated you'd get away with shelling out a lot less. $80 million.
Hepburn says: Is indeed underrated but is no excitement machine. Does little to get the pulses going except score lots of runs and take key wickets. $50 million.
Average worth: $87 million.
Sonny Bill Williams
League, rugby, boxing, entertainment
Claim to fame: He's SBW.
Meikle says: As I've written before, he's the most compelling New Zealand sportsman of his generation. He's a $100 million man.
Seconi says: Five bucks for every jab and another $10,000 for every off-load. Total, about $40 million.
Hepburn says: The world's most humble man. A real talent at league and union but put the boxing gloves away. $50 million.
Average worth: $63 million.
Richie McCaw
Rugby
Claim to fame: Captained the All Blacks to World Cup glory in 2011, surpassed Colin Meads as our greatest player.
Meikle says: At home, his value is off the charts. But taking the global approach, we'll go for a conservative $65 million.
Seconi says: A couple of grand for every turnover he pilfers. $50 million.
Hepburn says: The greatest of them all, even if time is catching up with him. Still no-one better at his game. Must be $50 million.
Average worth: $55 million.
Lydia Ko
Golf
Claim to fame: World amateur No 1, youngest player to win a professional tournament.
Meikle says: In 10 years, her worth will be off the charts. So buy low at $40 million.
Seconi says: Huge potential. Going to be a superstar. $30 million.
Hepburn says: Could be the next big golfing superstar, like Michelle Wie. Enough said. $20 million.
Average worth: $30 million.
Ma'a Nonu
Rugby
Claim to fame: First All Black to be spurned by all five New Zealand franchises.
Meikle says: At this rate, he'll have to pay a team to select him. But I'll be kind and say $4 million.
Seconi says: If you deducted a few bucks every time he did something dumb, he'd owe us money. A royal bust at $2 million.
Hepburn says: Um, yes. As an All Black - $10 million. As a Super 15 player . . . are 5c pieces still in circulation?Average worth: $5 million (All Black), $2 million (Super 15).
