The Lions back-row joined Matchroom Talent Agency last week
Promoter Eddie Hearn has promised to significantly change the money that Henry Pollock makes after signing the England back-row to his talent agency.
Last week saw Hearn sign Pollock to Matchroom, having been present at Wales’ Six Nations clash with Italy earlier this month. Hearn has worked with some of the biggest names in British sport, helping raise the profiles of many – with rugby and Pollock now in his sights.
Hearn will look after Pollock’s off-field interests in partnership with the Stellar agency.
Pollock, who toured Australia last summer with the British and Irish Lions, stands to make considerably more after joining Matchroom, according to Hearn.
“I’m not going to slag off what players are earning, but I’ve been through Henry’s money and it’s going to change significantly over the next two or three years,” said Hearn to the Times; his first interview since signing Pollock.
“He’s a young man and he’s not moaning about it, he’s not saying, ‘I can’t believe I’m earning this much’.”
Citing his work in boxing, where a fighter can get around £11m for being on an undercard, Hearn is adamant he knows how to “build a star”.
“I’m going to make him more money off the field than he’s making on the field, then we’re going to make sure he’s across all mainstream media,” he said.
“You’re not going to see him popping up on a Dave’s Window advert in Northampton, you’re going to see him aligned with major brands. I’m going to make a huge difference to Henry’s profile. You’re going to see him everywhere.
“You’ll probably be bored of him after a while. I’ve told him ‘I’m going to embarrass you so bad by telling the world that you’re a superstar’. I soon realised he quite likes that.”
However, Hearn added that Pollock will also need to focus on his rugby first and foremost, saying that he can’t market the back-row as the “greatest thing since sliced bread” if he’s not getting picked by England.
“He’s hungry to build his own brand, and to be a star. He’s 21, a good-looking kid. He’s got everything.”
Hearn says he knows he can change rugby, but added that it is not his job – instead focusing on making as maximising the earnings of his new client, Pollock.
However, he did identify the sport’s major issue.
“The problem with rugby is that they have no vision,” Hearn explained. “I’m the audience you want, because I’m the casual guy.
“You have to engage me. You have to do something to get me interested. Pollock did that. All of a sudden, I’m looking at this kid, I don’t know whether to like him, to dislike him, to think he’s a flash Harry, or he’s a great kid. But he’s got my attention.
“Rugby has such a huge problem, yet so much potential. It’s a sitting duck in terms of its potential for growth.”
Follow all of our channels to ensure you stay up to date with the latest Welsh rugby news. Sign up to our free daily newsletter here and our WhatsApp channel here for all the breaking news.