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The Summer Olympics
billf:
--- Quote from: ChadTower on August 14, 2008, 02:17:31 pm ---
--- Quote from: billf on August 14, 2008, 01:54:30 pm --- Michael Phelps went to University of Michigan and study sports marketing and management.
--- End quote ---
Erm, yeah, on full scholarship. And he chose his major basically so he could be his own agent. Not exactly a good option for most athletes. The only athletes that get that sort of ride are the top of the top and then only in a couple of sports. A person actually has a better chance of landing a basketball or football scholarship than a scholarship in an regular Olympic sport.
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Where did you find that he went there on a full scholarship. He gave up his chances for college athletic scholarship because he signed a contract with Speedo - he is a pro. He went the U of Mich because that is where his one and only coach went to become the swim coach. He doesn't compete on U of Mich swim team - he can't by NCAA rules. Did he get a full ride academic scholarship?
ChadTower:
--- Quote from: billf on August 14, 2008, 02:35:20 pm ---Where did you find that he went there on a full scholarship. He gave up his chances for college athletic scholarship because he signed a contract with Speedo - he is a pro. He went the U of Mich because that is where his one and only coach went to become the swim coach. He doesn't compete on U of Mich swim team - he can't by NCAA rules. Did he get a full ride academic scholarship?
--- End quote ---
I could swear I remember reading that but can't find it now and what you say makes sense. Still, look at what he majored in. He sure isn't going to be representing other athletes as an agent. The point I'm making is that you can't take someone like him as representative of what the average olympic athlete does to get there. When you're the best in the world the rules just don't apply to you like they do everyone else. Everyone wants a piece of what you can do and they pay accordingly.
EDIT:
The Baltimore Sun said in August 2008 that Phelps earns $5 million annually in endorsements.
I think that pretty much destroys any concept of him being a good example.
billf:
--- Quote from: ChadTower on August 14, 2008, 02:42:20 pm ---
--- Quote from: billf on August 14, 2008, 02:35:20 pm ---Where did you find that he went there on a full scholarship. He gave up his chances for college athletic scholarship because he signed a contract with Speedo - he is a pro. He went the U of Mich because that is where his one and only coach went to become the swim coach. He doesn't compete on U of Mich swim team - he can't by NCAA rules. Did he get a full ride academic scholarship?
--- End quote ---
I could swear I remember reading that but can't find it now and what you say makes sense. Still, look at what he majored in. He sure isn't going to be representing other athletes as an agent. The point I'm making is that you can't take someone like him as representative of what the average olympic athlete does to get there. When you're the best in the world the rules just don't apply to you like they do everyone else. Everyone wants a piece of what you can do and they pay accordingly.
--- End quote ---
Which is why I also mentioned the Women's Sabre team and the gymnasts. Women's Sabre team has to be just about the most obscure and unknown athletes at the games. Each of the women on that team are in or going to start college. That was my original point to patrickl - many of the athletes are going to college and will most likely be able to make money in the future and will succeed. As for Phelps, yes he is a special case. He may end up doing the same thing that Mark Spitz is doing - motivational speaking engagements. Nothing wrong with that and he had to major in something, right?
ChadTower:
--- Quote from: billf on August 14, 2008, 02:51:35 pm ---Nothing wrong with that and he had to major in something, right?
--- End quote ---
If I were in his position I'd have chosen the same major.
billf:
--- Quote from: ChadTower on August 14, 2008, 02:52:28 pm ---
--- Quote from: billf on August 14, 2008, 02:51:35 pm ---Nothing wrong with that and he had to major in something, right?
--- End quote ---
If I were in his position I'd have chosen the same major.
--- End quote ---
Me too!
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