Source: Daily_Mail
Early career earnings of Wayne Rooney come under scrutiny in court
Wayne Rooney's early career as an apprentice came under scrutiny on Wednesday as the court battle over a chunk of his £35million fortune continued in Manchester.[LNB]Rooney was 16 when agent Paul Stretford was alerted to the youngster's potential in 2002 and his company, Proactive Sports Management, earmarked a team of six to look after the teenager's interests over five years, for a combined fee of between £500,000-£600,000.[LNB] Early promise: Rooney was ear-marked as a money-maker while at Everton[LNB]Commercial expert Chris Rawlings, who was part of that unit, said: 'He had just scored against Arsenal (for Everton) there was a degree of excitement about him. I'm not surprised at the level of payment over five years.'[LNB]Rooney was then signed to an eight-year commercial deal by Proactive, who had already identified a media value of £150,000-a-year for the player in negotiations with Everton.[LNB]It meant the company received 20 per cent of Rooney's image rights, which now earn him £760,000 every six months.[LNB]Meanwhile, United's £500m bond issue has become one of the market's worst performers this year, just two weeks after it was launched.[LNB]The price of United's sterling bonds has dropped to 93 per cent of their original face value, while dollar bonds have fallen to 94.5 per cent. [LNB] Rooneys were exploited by agent Paul Stretford, says QC in court battleWayne and Coleen Rooney 'sued for £4.3million after being exploited by agent'Is Rooney the white Pele? There's some way to go but he has potentialIs Wayne Rooney world class? Top ex-pros give their views on Manchester United's man of the moment...EVERTON FC
