Aussie NFL star who holds one of football’s most special records gets huge $19MILLION payday
West Australian NFL star Mitch Wishnowsky has inked his name into a mega $19million payday with the San Fransisco 49ers – as the punter from down under makes his way just two years into the league.
Wishnowsky is the first Australian to score a point in the NFL, and will appear in the competition for years to come, having extended to 2026.
The four-year renewal means the 30-year-old will earn a tick under $3million per season.
San Francisco 49ers punter Mitch Wishnowsky boots one down field during a game against the Bears on September 11
Wishnowsky has played four seasons with the 49ers and appeared in every regular season game, putting boot to ball on 179 occasions for 7,423 yards.
The former tradesman was picked by San Fransisco in the fourth round 2019 draft.
Born in Gosnells, Wishnowsky starred for Utah in college football, earning All-American honours in three seasons with the Utes.
Wishnowsky no.33 for Utah punts the ball during a college clash against Arizona Wildcats
He moved over to the US at 27 with little more than a few hundred dollars to his name, but now, money is not problem.
In order to get Wishnowsky to San Fransisco, the club hilariously had to fly him interstate as his beat-up car wouldn’t make the 500km drive.
The Aussie is averaging 41 yards with every kick and is San Fran’s card to get out of their own 20 yard territory.
Wishnowsky averages 41 yards per kick, and is considered as one of the best in the league, taught from his AFL upbringing
When he was drafted in 2019, niners general manager John Lynch rang up the Perth talent and cried ‘Aussie, Aussie Aussie, oi,oi,oi’ with his board executives.
While the first to score a point in the NFL, Wishnowsky will have to do some contract negotiating if he wants to become the highest paid Australian in the sport.
South Sydney Rabbitoh prospect Jordan Mailata signed a mammoth US$64million with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2021.
Wishnowsky with his partner Maddie Leiphardt – they welcomed their first child, daugher Bowie, in December last year
The 25-year-old was on US$2.5million a season after his 2018 draft pick and proved to the Eagles his worth – as he is now the 12th highest paid offensive tackle in the league.
Wishnowsky competed in the semi-pro West Australian Football League before moving abroad and credits his big boot to Aussie rules, where he said he grew up trying to slot 60-yard goals.
He welcomed his first child, daughter Bowie, in December last year with partner Maddie Leiphardt.