Stark disparity

The average assured income of an India cricketer like Yuvraj Singh will be Rs 60 lakh per annum as retainership fee (as per the new chart) and match fees calculated by the number of matches the player is involved in. If Yuvraj gets to play 40 ODIs a year then his average annual income – other than his personal endorsements, sponsorship, winning bonuses or extra prize money – is likely to be an additional Rs 60 lakh (calculated at Rs 1.5 lakh per ODI). Which means, the cricketer is likely to take home an amount of Rs 1.2 crore (all fee inclusive). And for each Test he gets Rs 3 lakh.

That apart, Yuvraj’s performances are sure to earn him more bonuses. For example, winning the Twenty20 World Cup has allowed him to pocket close to one and a half crore, out of the BCCI prize money and ICC awards that were presented to the Indian team. Apart from that, Yuvraj won an addition Rs 1 crore from the BCCI for hitting six sixes in an over and was also gifted a Porsche 911 by Lalit Modi for his feat.

The Punjab Cricket Association has yet to announce any financial reward, neither has the Punjab state government. They will.

Prabhjot Singh (Hockey)

Prabhjot is a star in the Indian hockey team that won the Asia Cup recently. If you look at the money matters he is left with after the Asia Cup victory, even if not compared with a cricketer, you cannot but support their cause.

Earnings from match fees: Nil

Bonus – earning per goal: Rs 1,000

Earnings from endorsements: Nil

Match winnings from Asia Cup: Rs 1 lakh each and Rs 2.5 lakh to the team from the IHF

Only source of income: Job with IOC

Sania Mirza (Tennis)

Tennis, at the top, does give cricket some competition, though never really in that league. Consider India’s top woman tennis player.

This year Sania Mirza’s total earning on the WTA circuit, including Grand Slam tournaments has been $ 368,542 (approximately Rs 1.47 crore). Her clothing and equipment is from the follows: Adidas: shoes; Lotto: playing kit. Racquet: Head.

Endorsements: Several Indian brands, adding up to approximately Rs 2 crore.

That makes a total of around Rs 3.47 crore.

Anju Bobby George (Athletics)

India’s most high profile athlete today is long jumper Anju Bobby George. Endorsement: She had signed a contract with Nike in 2004. The deal runs till 2009. She gets equipment, including playing kit, plus some financial support from a Kerala company.

Winnings: For her bronze winning effort at the Paris World Championship in 2003 she won $ 20,000 (a littler over Rs 8 lakh then), the highest so far for her. Smaller prize money has come from Grand Prix races in Europe and in Asia.

Bhaichung Bhutia (football)

The proverbial face of Indian football. Captain, leader and recognition across the country. His current earning is way better than his predecessors, even the more illustrious ones, but still a far cry from cricketers.

Earnings: Cumulative earning from club approximately Rs 30-35 lakh per season.

No fix money from the All India Football Federation, but for some token camp fee and pocket money during the camps, which could be Rs 50,000 in a good year.

Endorsements: Largely North East and Bengal centric companies, accounting for another Rs 15 lakh. He is a brand ambassador for Sikkim Tourism, Nike, and a local biscuit company.

Other sources: Occasional earnings from television appearances, commercial public appearances, print columns: Approximately Rs 10 lakh.