Mayday for Mariners as Bolt eyes big-money deal

Usain Bolt is reportedly seeking a $3 million contract with Central Coast Mariners, should his trial prove successful ahead of the 2018-19 A-League season.

The Jamaican sprint star's impending deal, one of the richest in Australian football history, will be backed predominantly by Mariners owner Mike Charlesworth, according to The Daily Telegraph.

While Football Federation Australia are yet to confirm how much of their marquee war chest they will commit to the deal, with $900,000 the rumoured figure, Bolt's signing would open up a new avenue of exposure for the Central Coast and the A-League as a whole.

Bolt's quest for a professional contract has already attracted the attention of over 300 million people, all while generating approximately $16 million in publicity for the Central Coast.

The financial upside to such a deal currently has the FFA looking to sell international TV rights for the Mariners' trial match next Friday night in what will likely be Bolt's first bow.

Despite offers from the United States, Spain and France for the 32-year-old's services, it is believed Bolt's legitimate dream to play football professionally far outweighed the lucrative contracts presented to him.

"Usain isn’t here because of the money,” Mariners CEO Shaun Mielekamp told The Daily Telegraph.

“I can assure you, if all this was just about the money he wouldn’t be here with us on the Central Coast.

“FFA have given us their word that they're on this journey with us. So our expectation is that if Usain proves himself up to A-League level they will help out.”