rojo
co-founder
It's Official - Centro To Nike (& Alberto) 1/11/2012 12:56PM Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
We just received the following email from super-agent Ricky Simms. Centro goes to Nike (and Alberto).


Ricky Simms wrote:

Matthew Centrowitz signs endorsement contract with Nike

For immediate release -

11th January 2011 – PACE Sports Management is pleased to announce that World Championships 1500m bronze medalist Matthew Centrowitz today signed a multi-year endorsement contract with sportswear manufacturer Nike. The former University of Oregon runner will wear the Oregon based company’s swoosh logo and train as part of the Alberto Salazar coached Nike Oregon Project with assistance from his current coach Andy Powell who guided him throughout his college career.

Matthew had a breakthrough season in 2011 winning the NCAA 1500m Championships, USATF 1500m Championships and the bronze medal in the IAAF World T&F Championships in Daegu. He ended the season ranked No. 1 in the US and No. 8 in the world in the 1500m.

“I am very excited to sign a professional contract with Nike and become part of the Nike family. They have many great athletes and I hope my achievements will make the brand proud in the years to come,” said Matthew.

Commenting from the Nike HQ in Beaverton Global Marketing Manager for Athletics John Capriotti commented, “We are excited to have Matthew as part of Nike's Running Team. I am particularly interested in watching his continued development as a World Class Middle-Distance Athlete.”

The Nike Oregon Project was founded in 2001 and has been very successful under the guidance of three times New York marathon winner Alberto Salazar. Current Oregon Project athletes include World and European 5000m Champion Mo Farah (GBR), US 10,000m Champion and Record holder Galan Rupp (USA), World Half Marathon bronze medalist Dathan Ritzenhein (USA) and World Championships 1500m finalist Ciaran O’Lionard (IRL)

PACE Sports Management is one of the world’s top athlete management companies and has a great tradition in 1500m running having represented 2000 Olympic Champion Noah Ngeny (KEN), 3:29 runners William Chirchir, Daniel Komen and Laban Rotich as well as 3:30 runner and former World 4k Cross Country Champion John Kibowen.

---

Regards,

Ricky Simms
Pizzaguy
RE: It's Official - Centro To Nike (& Alberto) 1/11/2012 1:00PM - in reply to rojo Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
Centro and Mad Len teaming up! Cool.
spyder webb
RE: It's Official - Centro To Nike (& Alberto) 1/11/2012 1:01PM - in reply to rojo Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
how much $$$
Poo Poo Poo
RE: It's Official - Centro To Nike (& Alberto) 1/11/2012 1:25PM - in reply to rojo Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
Why on earth is he going with Salazar? Hes not going to train with Wheating?
TIME2SHINE
RE: It's Official - Centro To Nike (& Alberto) 1/11/2012 1:47PM - in reply to Poo Poo Poo Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
Matthew will continue to train with Coach Andy Powell in Eugene. He will utilize Alberto when Andy's collegiate coaching commitments prevent him from taking Matt to altitude, going overseas, etc. But interesting that they have chosen Oregon Project/Alberto to support Andy as opposed to OTC-Eugene.

Also, I believe Centrowitz and Wheating never trained together. Wheating trains with Russell Brown.
Jim Cantore
RE: It's Official - Centro To Nike (& Alberto) 1/11/2012 2:23PM - in reply to Poo Poo Poo Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
They are paying him big $$$ to be a quick pacesetter in workouts for Rupp.
Sp!kes
RE: It's Official - Centro To Nike (& Alberto) 1/11/2012 2:56PM - in reply to Jim Cantore Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
Hahaha to any idiot that posted that Centro would run for Oregon after he won the bronze. You know who you are. Sp!kes gets it right...again.
cash moneyy
RE: It's Official - Centro To Nike (& Alberto) 1/11/2012 4:14PM - in reply to Sp!kes Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
How much $$$ do you think he is getting ??
POW
RE: It's Official - Centro To Nike (& Alberto) 1/11/2012 5:00PM - in reply to Poo Poo Poo Reply | Return to Index | Report Post

Poo Poo Poo wrote:

Why on earth is he going with Salazar? Hes not going to train with Wheating?

If I were guessing, (which I am) I would venture it is because his father has a personal relationship with Alberto. I would further guess that junior has met Alberto a number of times growing up and therefore feels more comfortable having someone who is a family friend rather than a complete stranger. Again, just a guess.
Lucile B
RE: It's Official - Centro To Nike (& Alberto) 1/11/2012 5:02PM - in reply to spyder webb Reply | Return to Index | Report Post

spyder webb wrote:

how much $$$


Strictly confidential
levotesto
RE: It's Official - Centro To Nike (& Alberto) 1/11/2012 5:06PM - in reply to rojo Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
Well at least he'll get those long ignored low thyroid and testosterone levels attended to now.
coach d
RE: It's Official - Centro To Nike (& Alberto) 1/11/2012 5:33PM - in reply to rojo Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
Anybody know how well (or maybe not) Matt and Andrew get along?

Otherwise, it would have seemed almost duh level simple that Centro would be training with Wheating and Russell Brown. Given the scheduling complexities with Powell, its almost as if Centro is going out of his way to get away.
Harry Carey
RE: It's Official - Centro To Nike (& Alberto) 1/11/2012 6:29PM - in reply to coach d Reply | Return to Index | Report Post
I would echo the sentiment of Salazar being a supplement, as it were, to the primary coaching duties Powell has been given with this arrangement. I would say, for the most part, that all of this makes sense and that all of it is the right move--as well as the safest one. Centro has seen considerable success under Powell, who, I imagine, has been his primary coach for all his Oregon days. Powell knows what works for Centro, what he responds to, and what he needs to get better. There is no point in changing something that has clearly not needed changing to begin with.
bluenotes
RE: It's Official - Centro To Nike (& Alberto) 1/13/2012 12:36AM - in reply to coach d Reply | Return to Index | Report Post

coach d wrote:

Anybody know how well (or maybe not) Matt and Andrew get along?

Otherwise, it would have seemed almost duh level simple that Centro would be training with Wheating and Russell Brown. Given the scheduling complexities with Powell, its almost as if Centro is going out of his way to get away.


As far as I know there's no issue between those two...I don't know very much though. There was video of Andrew congratulating Matt in the tunnel after worlds, seemed genuine to me.

My real question is how well do Vin and Centro get along? Why has Wheating always been portrayed as Vin's athlete, whereas Centro quickly gives Powell credit for coaching him? Its not like Centro was a minor talent delegated to an ass. coach to deal with, quite the opposite in fact. Anyone know the story there? Seems to me like Centro didn't want to train under Vin, as opposed not wanting to train with Wheating and Brown...

On a side-note, I'm loving Salazar taking on more athletes. He has his haters, but he's gotten great results from the majority of his athletes. With the Irish guy and Centro there now, you think Webb regrets leaving yet?