tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37388994.post8058179188320278171..comments2024-01-13T00:38:28.549-08:00Comments on Southern California Aquatics SCAQ Swim Club: Sports Illustrated interviews Michael PhelpsTony Austinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00109365938555421509noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37388994.post-4653542286632304992012-05-11T22:27:50.868-07:002012-05-11T22:27:50.868-07:00Maybe those last two sentences are intended as a j...Maybe those last two sentences are intended as a joke. I hope so. I hate the thought that swimming is socio-economically closer to polo than to basketball.jonisaacsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04818705687546037894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37388994.post-83943211191997881412012-05-10T14:07:10.943-07:002012-05-10T14:07:10.943-07:00That $400,000 is what the player made in winnings ...That $400,000 is what the player made in winnings only! Sponsor earnings was not included. <br /><br />Maria Sharapova rated, number 2, in the WTA has made made 2.3 million just this year. Her estimated earnings including sponsors and endorsements and such is estimated to be $24.2-million with a net worth of over $90-million.<br /><br />Rolex, Omega, Tag Heuer sponsors matches. Banks, tech companies, phone manufacturers as well<br /><br />How did she make that much?<br /><br />The way swimming is conducted, it is uninteresting to anyone outside of swimming.<br /><br />Tennis has personality, it has player reactions and emotions, it easier to view whereas swimming is best viewed underwater but is viewed via bleachers. Men also love trajectory physics and Tennis is full of that.<br /><br />then the economics: A "Wilson Steam 100 racket" costs $199. Shoes cost $100. A can of 24-balls costs $48. A Lacoste Alligator shirt; (wearing a black v-neck myself), is $78.00<br /><br />The products sold within swimming are cheap: Cap goggles, suit, towel, sunscreen can all be had for less than $50. <br /><br />Swimming has to change, it has to borrow from tennis, golf and horse racing. It needs brackets like the NCAA, and gambling as well. It needs equipment such as tech suits and kick-ass watches. Finally it needs to acknowledge that swimming is for rich people only like both golf and tennis are.<br /><br />That alone would bring in advertisers if rich people were doing it.Tony Austinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00109365938555421509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37388994.post-12095505460732968062012-05-10T12:22:22.756-07:002012-05-10T12:22:22.756-07:00I mean, I knew there wasn't that much money in...I mean, I knew there wasn't that much money in professional swimming (aside from the very, very best) but how the hell do tennis players make that much!??!junker23noreply@blogger.com