Inspiring: US Swimming Olympic Medalist Katy Ledecky Turns Down Endorsement Worth $5 Million Because She Wants To Attend University

If you you followed the just concluded Rio 2016 Summer Olympics, the name Katie Ledecky wouldn’t be new to you. For those who didn’t, she won 4 gold medals  and a silver at the 31st Olympiad and is the world record holder in the 400m, 800m freestyle swimming. 

All together Katie has 5 gold medals from the Olympics winning the first at the London 2012 games at the age of 15. At just 19, she is one of the greatest sports women alive in terms of medals and accomplishments. 

What is Katie Ledecky’s net worth? The swimmer could have a whole lot more — about $5 million per year in endorsements. But she wants to attend Stanford University instead.

With that her remarkable performance at the 2016 Olympics, most athletes would be preparing to cash in on their newfound popularity.

But Ledecky has chosen to pass up the millions for now. Instead, she will enroll at Stanford and continue to compete as an amateur.

Ledecky was a guest on ESPN Radio’s “Mike and Mike” and explained that she simply wants the college experience. She was asked if it was a difficult decision.

“No, it wasn’t,” Ledecky said. “I’ve always wanted to swim collegiately and have that experience. I think it is going to be a lot of fun to be on a team with some really great friends and great swimmers and also just go to class with them.”

Ledecky delayed her enrollment for a year to concentrate on the Olympics. She is also going to part of a pretty impressive swim team that will also include Olympic medalists Simone Manuel and Lia Neal.

“I know we have a really great team, and I am excited to get to Stanford and see what we can do,” Ledecky said.

As for what Ledecky is passing up, it’s a lot.

In an interview before the games with Philip Hersh of ESPN, Olympic sports marketing expert Bob Dorfman estimated that Ledecky could make $5 million annually in endorsements with a strong performance in Rio.

“With a strong shot at four golds” — she won four gold medals and one silver — “Ledecky would be the aquatic darling of the games and could command as much as $5 million annually in endorsement income by turning pro — especially given that at just age 19, she has the opportunity to win gold in two, or even three more Olympic Games,” Dorfman told Hersh.

“Obviously, the challenge is maintaining high visibility during non-Olympic years, but with her personality and likability, combined with the ever-growing influence of social media, the potential for longer-term deals is there.”

There is still plenty of time for Ledecky. She will clearly be back in 2020 and will likely be ready to turn pro around the same time. Another strong performance at the 2020 Olympics, as expected, and she could eventually cash in.
But at 19, her earning potential may never be higher — and still she just wants to be a college student.

Outstanding young Lady.

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