A Sport Finance expert has made a bold claim, regarding the significance of Louis Rees-Zammit’s exit from Welsh rugby. Rob Wilson believes that the 22-year-old’s decision to pursue a career in American football, is like if legendary footballer Lionel Messi quit La Liga, (Spain’s Premier League) when he was a young star on the rise at Barcelona.
Wilson’s comparison between Louis Rees-Zammit and the Argentina football icon, comes in the hypothetical sense as Messi stayed in the La Liga for his prime playing years. The Inter Miami striker left La Liga after 17 years at Barcelona, whilst Rees-Zammit’s decision to step away from the WRU comes just three years and 31 caps into his Wales test rugby career.
Speaking with LuckyBlock.com, Wilson explained the magnitude of Rees-Zammit’s exit.
“The biggest impact is the limitation it places on the Union over in the UK. The British and Irish Lions have a less marketable asset, Welsh rugby has seen the next generation of talent disappear and it is fairly catastrophic for Gloucester Rugby because you simply do not replace a player of his quality, he’s a homegrown talent.
“There is going to be a lot of impact on broadcast rights because there is the potential for less attractive rugby to be played when you take out a superstar. It’s almost like taking Messi out of La Liga in the early part of his career. So there is a huge impact on domestic rugby, international rugby and his salary checks if he makes it through to the NFL.”
Despite having his finger on the pulse for all the trends in the world of sports finance, Wilson was as suprised as Rees-Zammit’s Gloucester teammates, when the news was confirmed regarding his departure. Wilson was certainly taken aback given Rees-Zammit’s status within the Wales squad and the prior expectation of a spot on the 2025 British & Irish Lions Tour to Australia.
However, despite the flourishing rugby career that Rees-Zammit is leaving behind, the former Cherry and Whites wing could well be on his way to a lavish contract should he excel in the NFL. Wilson went on to discuss the potential figures that Rees-Zammit could be bringing in, if he succeeds throughout the NFL’s International Player Pathway programme, and lands a spot on the first team roster of the league’s top franchises.
“The Louis Rees-Zammit news was surprising, we need to remember he’s a British and Irish Lion and a fully fledged Welsh international. He’s also the superstar player for Gloucester Rugby. His potential move to the NFL essentially indicates the complete disparity between a sport like the NFL and Rugby Union.
“It’s a massive loss for Welsh rugby, Gloucester Rugby and the British and Irish Lions. It also comes at a time when he is at the fledgling stage of his career and has the potential to earn millions of dollars if he is successful. He has all the hallmarks to be successful.
“I think the potential upside for him is salary and potential endorsements, they will run into potentially hundreds of millions over his playing career, if he is selected for an NFL team and he made it to the Super Bowl.”