Collingwood superstar Nick Daicos is set to ink a new bumper contract extension according to veteran AFL journalist Damian Barrett.
While Daicos is already contracted until the end of the 2025 season, Barrett is reporting that the 20-year-old is in talks to add another four years onto his deal which would tie him to the Magpies until 2029.
Even though Daicos’ new salary hasn’t been reported, former Collingwood President Eddie McGuire told Footy Classified that he thought the new deal would make the superstar the “highest paid 21-year-old player in the history of the game”.
Given Daicos could be set for a huge pay bump, Garry Lyon and Tim Watson discussed what they felt the midfielder is worth.
Lyon: “How much are you paying Nick Daicos?
“The suggestion is he's about to extend. Of course, he's going to extend and of course Collingwood will extend him.
“I'm looking at the news that he'll be the highest paid (of his age), and I thought, ‘Oh, is he going to be the highest paid 21-year-old in the comp?’.
“I think that's the greatest no brainer.
“How much is he going to get paid Nick Daicos? How much would you pay him?
“He's not going anywhere.”
Watson: “No, he's not going to go anywhere.”
Lyon: “The great Geelong and Hawthorn sides, they all take less to stay together.”
Watson: “Yeah, but you don't want to be disrespectful in what you're offering though.
“You don't abuse the position.”
Lyon: “Is he a million-dollar player.”
Watson: “Well, he's around a million dollars (a year).
“If you compared him to the other midfielders and his influence on games, he should be paid as high as any midfield player in the game right now based on that.”
On top of his on-field salary, Watson and Lyon believe Daicos could earn more than any other player off the field with endorsements.
Combining his playing salary and potential earning capacity with endorsements, Lyon believes Daicos will become the AFL’s first $2 million player.
Watson: “You made the good point yesterday though because he is such a great marketing package, he is going to get his (earning potential) through his connection to the Collingwood Football Club and what he does and the success that they look like they're going to have over the next few years as well.
“He's going to be able to elevate himself out there in the marketplace whereby he's going to get great opportunities outside of his football contract.”
Lyon: “I think he’ll be the first $2 million player.”
Watson: “I think you're right about that.”
Lyon: “People out there that know this stuff better than me might tell me differently.
“I don't know if Dusty would have made $2 million combined on and off field. Buddy, I doubt whether he's made $2 million and on and off (field).
“But I think Nick might be the first $2 million player, and good on him.
“Good luck to him. He plays for a big club. Imagine how many supporters he's dragging through the joint.
“Not that the Magpies need much encouragement to get along and support their footy club.
“But he's the future.”
Watson: “He is, and he’s not going anywhere.”
Daicos is currently the Brownlow favourite and is leading the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year award on 99 votes from 18 games.