Big money to be made as ABs tackle USA

The 61,000-seat Chicago test venue had sold out. Photo / Getty Images

Sell-out 61,000-seat Chicago stadium brings profitable smiles all round

A million-dollar payday is looming for New Zealand rugby when the All Blacks play the United States in Chicago this morning.

The New Zealand Rugby Union won't reveal its cut for the first game between the two teams on US soil since 1980, and the first official test match between the two nations to be played in America.

But NZRU chief executive Steve Tew said its deal with USA Rugby was "not dissimilar" to that negotiated with the Japan Rugby Football Union before the All Blacks' test against Japan in Tokyo last year.

A crowd of 27,000 turned out for that match and the New Zealand union made $850,000 from the one off test.

Tew wouldn't speculate further, but was pleased the Chicago test venue - 61,000-seat Soldier Field - had sold out.

"We thought filling a major NFL stadium might be a bit of a challenge ... we'll do okay out of [the match]."

Profit would go into the "central pot" to benefit the game from the grassroots up, he said.

"The first reason we came is we're keen to be part of growing the game, but you've got to fund that game so, yes, money comes into it."

The union is also understood to have been paid $1.27million by USA Rugby to cover its costs.

Pressure from the All Blacks' biggest sponsor, New York-based AIG, is also believed to have played a major part in locking in the test.

New Zealand Rugby Players' Association chief executive Rob Nichol said profits depended on the union's commercial programme, but would likely include a slice of the pie from broadcasting rights, ticket sales, corporate hospitality and commemorative jersey sales.

Individual All Blacks could also benefit from lucrative sponsorship offers if they were able to "capture the American imagination" in some way, he said.

Others are also cashing in - adidas is selling a limited-edition replica captain's run All Blacks' jersey for $179.

Adidas spokeswoman Elizabeth O'Neill said 900 of the jerseys, which have a stars and stripes pattern across the chest, were produced in response to demand from US fans.

It was the first time a captain's run jersey had been marketed, she said.

University of Auckland senior advertising and marketing lecturer Dr Mike Lee said it was a "clever" idea that could pay.

"It feels a little bespoke. This is a special test."

Air New Zealand also lined up for a slice of the pie, working with All Blacks' Tours to fly a charter service from Auckland to Chicago.

The Boeing 777 carried 332 fans across the Pacific for the test.