Stars like (from left) Irene van Dyk, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, Sophie Devine, Michael Jordan, and Christian Cullen draw the fans. Photos / NZME; Getty Images; Photosport
THREE KEY FACTS:
- Players like Jonah Lomu and Michael Jordan became icons, boosting visibility and revenue for their sports.
- New Zealand Rugby’s three-player promotion rule limits individual star power, but personal promotions offer growth opportunities.
- Portia Woodman-Wickliffe’s return highlights the potential of leveraging individual brands to enhance women’s rugby.
Think about the sport you love – now tell me the player who helped you fall for it? For me, with rugby, it was Christian Cullen. For cricket, it was Sophie Devine, and for the netball I watched alongside my Mum, it was Irene van Dyk.
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