Massive TV pay deal could see New Zealand’s top stars double their wages

Rich reward for the reigning world champions.

The New Zealand Rugby Union has secured a five-year TV rights deal that should net them NZ$350m. The NZRU have negotiated a new $70m a year [€43m] deal that is said be be a 60% bump on their previous package. To put that deal in perspective, ITV and BBC combined to pay €70m a year for Six Nations TV rights. There were separate deals brokered with Italian broadcasters and Ireland's history-making rights switch - RTE to TV3. The Kiwi pay bump is positive news for the union and its multitude of ridiculously talented players. Through their players' union, 37% of that money will go into a pool to be redistributed to the athletes. Talks on a collective between the NZRU and the players body are due to conclude soon and are said to be doing well. Will the TV money will go towards Super Rugby franchises, Sevens and the women's game, senior stars will benefit greatly. The New Zealand Herald reports that national contract retainers will shoot up. In some cases, they may even double. The paper believes senior figures Kieran Read, Julian Savea, Brodie Retallick and Aaron Smith could all see their annual retainers increased from NZ$400,000 to $800,000 [€490k]. That should be enough to keep most of the top talents in the Land of the Long White Cloud.