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Home Sport Why Michael Phelps may not be as marketable as you think
Sport
August 12, 2016

Why Michael Phelps may not be as marketable as you think

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Michael Phelps

MICHEAL Phelps may have more gold medals than any other athlete in history, but according to one sports business executive, he’s not even the most marketable Olympic athlete in Rio.

 Despite the fact that Phelps has collected more medals than some countries have ever collected (India, Mexico), Patrick Rishe, director of the sports business program at Washington University of St. Louis, said companies may think twice when it comes to signing him on as a pitchman.

“There is no question that some companies are going to be extremely risk adverse to using his endorsement services,” he said.

 

Michael Phelps (USA) of USA poses with his gold medal.

Michael Phelps (USA) of USA poses with his gold medal.

Rishe attributed his marketability potential to many factors — including past personal mistakes, his swimming future and his exposure post-Olympics.

“I think the 2014 drunk driving incident is still so fresh,” he said. Combine that to a 2009 photo that surfaced with Phelps holding a bong.

“These are real serious mistakes to make no matter how many gold medals he wins in Rio,” Rishe said.

Phelps’ representatives did not immediately respond to CNBC for comment.

Besides his history, endorsers may also shy away from the 31-year-old Phelps because his visibility is decreasing. Phelps will not get more television exposure than he’s receiving now. He has publicly said Rio will be his last Olympics.

According to Apex Marketing Group, Phelps has appeared in over 67-thousand broadcasts on TV and radio since Opening Ceremonies.

“There will really be a drop off in visibility so companies will really be cautious about engaging in contracts w/ those types of athletes,” said Rishe.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnW8F5dlRBk

Ironically, Phelps’ marketability could also be impacted by mere the fact that he’s an Olympian.

“There is a reason that Michael Phelps is not getting let’s say Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth money in terms of endorsements. These are pro golfers in the limelight on a regular basis. If we believe this is Michael Phelps’ last Olympics, then he’s not going to be in the limelight going forward.”

Phelps’ current endorsement portfolio consists of Under Armour, Omega and a slew of smaller companies. Rishe said Under Armour is his strongest relationship due to the home-town connection.

Baltimore-based Under Armour said it is proud to have the Towson, Maryland, native lead its Olympic roster. “His story, like the stories of many of our athletes, is one of hard work, dedication and sacrifice. … We were honored to share that with the world,” the company said in a statement.

So, who is Rio’s most marketable athlete? Rishe says the women’s gymnastics “Final Five.”

“Simone Biles, if she meets expectations — I think you are going to see her cash in.”

Don’t worry about Phelps’ decreasing marketability. Rishe estimates his net worth is $50 million to 55 million. Plus, if he’s ever looking for extra cash, he can always cash in one of his many gold medals. cnbc