ENGLAND’S Lionesses are set to be millionaires if they become World Cup champions.
Branding experts believe that health, beauty, well-being and sport firms will be queueing up to offer the players “seven-figure sponsorship contracts”.
More than seven million UK viewers tuned in to watch Wednesday’s 3-1 semi-final victory over Australia — with that number expected to top 12 million for the final against Spain.
As Brits plan their match-watch parties, supermarket Aldi expected to sell more than 250,000 cans of beer and one million packets of crisps this weekend — and 45 bottles of Prosecco every minute.
Each of the squad will take home a £211,000 bonus if they win tomorrow.
But that could be just the beginning.
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Sponsorship consultant Nigel Currie said: “This is the most fantastic opportunity for the Lionesses and the FA.
“Marketeers are always on the lookout for high-profile athletes and in particular female athletes to endorse their products.
“Emma Raducanu has done extremely well with commercial contracts on the back of winning the US Open and there’s huge potential for many Lionesses to cash in on winning the World Cup.
“Doing so would be such a unique achievement that the potential riches are even greater.
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“Apart from their existing sponsors, which may well have additional success bonuses built in, several of the high-profile players could expect to be earning seven-figure endorsement and sponsorship contracts on the back of a World Cup success.
He concluded: “The Lionesses have a great image, are extremely personable and all communicate very well which will make them even more attractive from a marketing point of view.”
The Sun can reveal that defender Lucy Bronze has tucked away the most cash of all the England squad.
The Barcelona star, 31, has already amassed £197,832 in her firm LRTB Limited after signing deals with Pepsi and Visa.
Captain Millie Bright has put away £70,467 in her company called Bright 4 Futures Limited, according to latest accounts.
Meanwhile, goalkeeper Mary Earps has saved £49,458 in her firm Mary Earps Ltd.
Alex Greenwood has saved £24,510 and Lauren James has put away £14,590.
Yesterday the Lionesses were seen returning to the pitch for their penultimate training session, ahead of the final.
Snaps showed the team in action at Central Coast Stadium, near Sydney, as they get ready for the biggest match of their careers.
Videos shared on the Lionesses’ Instagram page also showed the players on fitness bikes.
Speaking about how training was going, striker Chloe Kelly, 25, told the latest episode of Lionesses Down Under: “It’s been exciting.
“We’ve got smiles on our faces and are enjoying ourselves.”
Last night England’s Dutch boss Sarina Wiegman, 53, said she was feeling “confident” for the final.
She told Sky News: “First of all, I’m very excited.
“I have a lot of confidence in our team. I think we’re in a very good place, everyone’s fit.
“We really want to leave with that World Cup.
“What we are focusing on is how we want to play.
“We are going to do anything to be at our best and then hopefully that gives us the success we want.”
She also committed her future to the Lionesses, saying: “I want to stay with England.”
In another example of final fever, Thorpe Park in Surrey is to give Sunday’s first 23 visitors “fast track” passes to jump to the front of roller-coaster queues.
And the Armed Forces sent good luck to the squad ahead of the match.
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A message from HMS Medway at the Falkland Islands said: “We wish the Lionesses the very best this weekend.
“Good luck, girls, it’s coming home!”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
