Football: Missing a zero? Usain Bolt's reported A-League deal less than expected

Usain Bolt of the Mariners gestures during the pre-season friendly match between the Central Coast Mariners and Macarthur South West United. Photo / Getty

$3,000,000. Now half that and drop a zero.

That's the reported salary Usain Bolt is being paid by the Central Coast Mariners to play in the A-League.

According to Fairfax Media, the eight-time Olympic champion will be paid AUS$150,000 to be part of the squad this season, well short of an intial deal of $3 million previously discussed with his management team.

Bolt's long-time agent Ricky Simms said Sunday that the sprint star had received an A-League contract offer, but did not provide any further details.

"In response to the media stories, yes, Usain has been offered a contract. I do not want to make any further comment at this stage," Simms told Fairfax Media.

If so, no one told Mariners coach Mike Mulvey, who, speaking after his side's 1-1 draw with the Brisbane Roar, not only denied any knowledge of a contract offer, but wondered if Bolt could fit into the team.

"It's news to me," he told Fox Sports after the game last night.

"You have a look at our front line today and you wonder whether he could get into any of those positions, wouldn't you?" Mulvey said. "I do appreciate how important this story is for the rest of the world.

"You're just talking about speculation, I don't know anything about what you're talking about and that's the honest truth."

Bolt, who retired from track and field last year, was in Melbourne during the Mariners' opening match, with News Corp. Australia earlier saying he was considering his options after being offered a contract.

He has been training with the Mariners for several months, and scored two goals in a trial match two weeks ago in his first start.

Mulvey, who said several weeks ago that it might take until January to determine if Bolt can make it in professional soccer, added that the former sprinter was not on his radar for now.