Now that President King Dictator Michael Phelps has won the Olympics — literally, the whole shebang is his — what's next? Doubtful that a guy could win eight gold medals in Beijing and then go back to Maryland with his dog to swim laps in the Potomac, although that looks as if it's Mikey's game-plan. Luckily, the money from Phelp's endorsements might last him long enough to buy a place in a nicer neighborhood than Baltimore; Speedo is writing him a cheque for $1 million as part of its promise for him winning eight gold medals, and that's on top of their existing endorsement deal, his sponorship gigs for Visa, Hilton, and Kellogg's (among others).
It leaves little doubt Phelps will add "richest Olympian" to his roster of personal records. But he's going to accomplish a more incredible feat: remaining relevant after the closing ceremonies. Indeed, where other celebrity Olympians disappeared into oblivion after their medal ceremonies, we see Phelps reaching the success of pro athletes who compete in leagues identified by three-letter acronyms.
Here's how:
Editor
Swim in the Potomac? I don't know much about the Potomac but I'd assume there is some pretty frightening debris in there. I vote for Plan B, Phelpsy.
Buy a place in a nicer neighborhood than Baltimore? It's not all bad here. Heck, even one of the Bush daughters is supposed to be moving here. … Wait, maybe it's worse than I thought.
I think Michael will have to make good on that
pre-Olympics deal he made with King Triton.
(I think Ursela may somehow be involved with this deal too.)
If I can get serious here for a minute:
Almost no one - no one - from Olympics past has retained any signifigance, cultural or otherwise, in America. Mark Spitz, and those manly East Germans, maybe. Athlete's careers are very short-lived, and at 23 years old, people are speculating that this is Phelps' last Olympics. He could win a thousand gold medals, and he still wouldn't be as famous as Kobe or Tom Brady or whoever, because they are visible every year, while the Olympics is hyped every four years. I think he just needs to enjoy it while he can, have a sense of humor about it and realize that this type of fame is very fleeting. And not spend all his endorsement deal money on hookers and coke.
I would like to see Usain (sp?) Bolt's McD's deal - he told every reporter after the record breaking race that he had McNuggets for lunch and dinner before the day of. They are good.
That's lovely, Luz. Jazz paws.
Hey Cord! F off! Baltimore has some really nice areas. And the people who think so aren't all heroin addicts.