Is Michael Phelps the real deal??
 

Are we finally going to have an athlete that kids can admire? He has ADHD, comes from a single parent home, somewhat middle class (at least he was growing up). I know there are other well grounded atheles out there but he just seems to have it all going in the right direction. Will he be able to keep that luster or will he start hanging with Brit and Paris and doing the Hollywood scene? Is he going to be accessible or turn into the Tiger Woods of the pool?

He's a phenomenal athlete, but is there really such a thing as a "Tiger Woods of the pool?" Golf has a huge following month after month, year after year, they make $1 million for a win, continuing huge sponsorship deals, etc.. Is there such a thing as a televised swim meet, other than the Olympics once every 4 years? Is there a professional swimming league where they can make money?

Phelps is not going to have a problem with money. He has enough money coming in from endorsements to last a lifetime. I just hope he invests well and doesn't blow it.

I really think it will be up to his mother to keep him grounded. He really seems to respect and listen to her. I predict that he will be okay.

Naw, fame will F it for him. Look sharks in the water already:

http://deadspin.com/5038715/michael-phelps-getting-him-some-lindsay-lohan-omg-lol

My favorite quote from fark on this:

Dear Lindsay,

My son spends 5 hours a day submerged in heavily chlorinated water and he STILL couldn't get clean enough if you touched him.

Love,

Momma Phelps.

All good questions but perhaps he would be better compared to Lance Armstrong also a pretty good example if you take some of the women out of the recent picture.

Yeah, he'll get a big pop during the first few years from endorsements, enough to last a long time.

But Olympic athletes don't seem to go "in the wrong direction" or become inaccessible (the question in the first post) because while their names are known for a long time, they don't seem to have much marketability or public profile after a couple of years (Mary Lou Retton, etc. etc. etc.) because they can't really continue in their sport (no venue to do it).

I'm surprised the French haven't tried to discredit him with unsubstantiated and unprovable allegations of doping yet. They're slipping.

But Jeff, it was just a fingernail, it was nothing. Surely they wouldn't fuss over a fingernail...would they?;) Actually I'm surprised as well.

Phelps probably has several more Olympics in his future. Why would he retire now and live off endorsements?

I think Phelps is the real deal. I do not see him going hollywood. You know doing commericals, etc., but I don't see him joining the "rat pack" or whatever you want to call the new younger stars.

He will also add to his medal total in 2012 in London.

Bill

Can he accept endorsement money now? Does he have any restrictions on taking money? Wheaties box, Nike, Rolex, etc.

I believe he can take endorsement money now. Isn't it the college athletes that can't take endorsement money because it elevates them to professional from amature?

Or something like that, I think.

I would hope so after these basketball and tennis goons get to play in the Olympics and keep all their money.

The biggest thing against him is he looks freakishly similar to Timothy McVeigh.

I think that little 3 ft. tall chipmunk of a gymnast (Shaun Johnson) is also a great ambassador(ess?) for her sport, and the US Olympic presence. Kinda like Mary Lou Retton v2.0 :D. Very proud of her country, yet modest and mature for her age. Being articulate in front of the camera, and displaying great sportsmanship doesn't hurt either.

The one I really can't stand is that arrogant, showboating, Jamiacan runner, Usain Bolt. He is damn fast though. :eek:

I agree about S. Johnson as well, she has one heck of a smile. I also like the fact she is from Iowa...

Bill

Phelps better get his under bite fixed. He can't speak right. His jaws are all mis aligned.