Ex-Toon star couldn't manage on £75,000 a week
FORMER Newcastle United star Obafemi Martins couldn't manage on wages of £75,000 a week, a High Court judge has heard.
The player's management of his finances was so poor that he was "constantly overdrawn", and relied on a 'Jeeves-type' character to run his life for him.
The striker's spending habits were revealed at the start of a hearing in which his former agent Chris Nathaniel is seeking to sue him for 300,000.
He claims his company, NVA Management, which handles the affairs of footballers, music and film stars, is owed 284,000 plus interest from deals it made on the player's behalf.
Robert Temmink, counsel for NVA, claimed Martins would withdraw 40,000 from his bank to last the weekend, then take out another 25,000 on Monday.
"Despite earning these vast sums of money he was constantly overdrawn," he said.
Martins signed for Newcastle in a 10m deal in August 2006, and initially received nothing in image rights for the use of his name on United shirts and mugs before NVA stepped in.
The company also chased up thousands of pounds in sponsorship payments from Pepsi and Nike, organised visas, passports, mortgage and property valuation, and critical illness cover for the Nigerian international.
"He asked for these services to be carried out," said Mr Temmink. "Day-to-day life with superstars is demanding, and superstars are demanding."
Martins left Newcastle for German club Wolfsburg in a 9m deal in the summer following the Magpies' relegation from the Premier League.
The case is expected to last another two days.
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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