All Blacks midfielder Sonny Bill Williams has been offered a stake in the Toronto Wolfpack, should he sign with the Canadian-based rugby league club.
Williams' contract with New Zealand Rugby is up and although he's yet to make a decision, the 34-year-old is expected to finish his career with a shift back to rugby league.
Toronto's head coach, Brian McDermott, met Williams in Japan last weekend after watching him playing in New Zealand's semi-final defeat to England.
According to reports, Williams was offered a two-year deal worth $7 million, and Wolfpack owner David Argyle has since revealed the offer includes shares in the team.
On top of that, the Wolfpack have been in discussions about turning Williams' first season into a documentary series.
The Wolfpack just earned promotion into the English Super League, and Argyle wants to lure a David Beckham-type personality to lead his club into the rugby league major leagues.
"This is a unique offer and one which is unprecedented in rugby," he told The Telegraph.
"Sonny is a phenomenal player, and if we can sign him it would be a huge boost for rugby in North America. It's now simply a case of dotting the Is and crossing the Ts.
"We are currently in discussions about making his first year - and the Wolfpack's - in Super League into a documentary series."
The Wolfpack want to formalise the deal in time so they can present him with a jersey and squad number at an official function taking place at London's Canada House next week.
Williams began his career in rugby league with the Canterbury Bulldogs, before switching to rugby union. He then had a two-year stint in league with the Sydney Roosters before moving back to the 15-man code.
Newshub.
