Worth every cent: Why McVeigh has earned million dollar price tag

Adam Forde hit the headlines when he declared he “couldn’t give a f**k” about criticism over Jack McVeigh’s million-dollar deal with Cairns.

McVeigh is one of just four players in the NBL reportedly earning a seven-figure salary, a number that has amplified the spotlight on the Taipans' new marquee man.

“Bottom line is you’re worth whatever a team is willing to pay you,” Pete Hooley said on NBL Overtime.

“That man is a Larry Sengstock Medallist, he’s a champion and he’s playing the best basketball of his career.

“Cairns wanted to pay him that much, so good on them.”

Just last season, Sydney Kings forward Xavier Cooks returned from Japan and became the first local player to eclipse the million-dollar mark.

“I’m rapt for Jack McVeigh,” Damon Lowery added.

“He aint losing a wink of sleep… because he’s sleeping on a pile of cash.

“He’s earned this dough and we’re going to get the point where it’s going to be normalised. I want everybody to get as much as humanly possible.”

Hooley cautioned critics to underestimate McVeigh at their own risk.

“Even if I say no (he’s not worth $1 million), I can’t doubt Jack McVeigh,” he said.

“Because how many times has he been doubted? People said he can’t make the Olympics… he proves them wrong. He’s not an NBA player, gets a two-way deal.

“So any of the people that doubt him right now, he’s going to prove you wrong. And until he doesn’t live up to that, you just have to back him.”