Where do you come up with $700k/year? Nike will pay him $75k base with bonuses for making teams, records, medals, etc. x 4 years (potentially 2 or 6 years in this case, around the Olympic cycle). He’ll get stipends, gear, and be required to race a certain amount of times each year and be at specific Nike sponsored events. In no world is he making $700k-1 million a year. No way. Not even close.
Uhh no.
Uhh, yes. It’s a sad state of affairs, but that’s just the way it is.
Same posters were all excited for Kessler to go pro. He had a couple years of only racing a couple times a year and displayed a compete disaster for race tactics. His improvement curve was stunted. He was “too good” to race ncaa, but really he wasn’t. Sure Cooper gets paid, but let’s not pretend this is the best development environment for him as a person or runner.
Another example is Drew Hunter. Webb tried it, but couldn’t make it fit.
Same posters were all excited for Kessler to go pro. He had a couple years of only racing a couple times a year and displayed a compete disaster for race tactics. His improvement curve was stunted. He was “too good” to race ncaa, but really he wasn’t. Sure Cooper gets paid, but let’s not pretend this is the best development environment for him as a person or runner.
First, the comparison to Hunter is ridiculous. Not even apples to oranges, more like apples to a brick. Hunter was never even breaking national HS records let alone age class WRs like Cooper. ...Nor has he made a National team to go to Olys or WCs. Not as a HSer and not as a pro.
As for comparison to Hobbs, perhaps you have an apples to oranges comparison because they both broke HS records and did/are skipping NCAA. But Cooper has already leapt beyond Hobbs by setting an age class WR and making a WC team in his very first meet against Pros, all at age 16.
The only legitimate comparison is Jim Ryun. But Ryun was a little older. Of course Ryun went on to beat the best in the world and WR holder at two events. Lutkenhaus has yet to accomplish that or even win at the pro level but going pro at 16 is certainly thr only logical choice.
Why are your panties all in a bunch? Why’d you remove the first half of my comment, where I’m saying why it makes sense for him to go pro? I’m not the one who said he should stay with HS competition, HE DID. His coach did. Why are you mad at me? 😂
Especially with Texas, not allowing NIL, this makes more sense than ever. Nike wins, and gets one of the best marketing stories of the century. And he gets to capitalize off of a historical performance which may never happen again.
Because you’re, in your words, puzzled that he went pro.
Three short weeks ago his entire life changed so dramatically and we should assume info is coming at them fast and furious. There’s nothing at all to be puzzled about and those involved in the sport knew this was coming even before Paul Moser was hugging him trackside. There is absolutely nothing to be puzzled about here.
This is logical and was so obviously coming.
And for those who are bummed that he won’t be setting more HS records or spending a year or two in college, well, I don’t even know where to begin with you all.
So you got your panties in a bunch because you lack reading comprehension skills. I explained why it made sense to go pro, and stated that it was puzzling that they made that decision after repeatedly saying he (and they) wanted him to stay in high school competition.
I know Paul, and it’s silly to think that companies wouldn’t be offering him contracts after what happened. That wasn’t my point, which somehow you missed. Nothing you’re saying is unique, I was just pointing out two sides of the story. You are the problem with Internet dialogue these days. So easy to snap, and for no reason at all. As I said before, they obviously made the right decision. With no NIL in Texas, it would be stupid to miss out on this opportunity to get paid.
I had hoped he wouldn't go pro, but I get it. I bet Nike is guaranteeing him at least $10 million over the next 10 years with large bonuses for Olympic gold medals and WRs. This is just a drop in the bucket to Nike.
$10M??? what are you smoking? Maybe $1M over 5 years with some extra bonuses. I don't think Nike will spend extra on a 16y/o versus a more proven 19-22y/o. Clearly Cooper is MASSIVELY talented, but he is still 16
What are taking about? He’s already been proven to be the 4th fastest 800m runner in U.S. history. If he improves about .3 seconds, he’ll snag the AR and 1.4 seconds will get him the WR. The three guys ahead of him are all mid-20s or older so why would they get bigger contracts than a guy that might be winning medals and setting records for the next ten years.
When it comes to his contract, Lutkenhaus drives the car. He could play the agents against each other and negotiate a 10% commission. Nike outbid the market, and probably agreed to approval rights for Cooper regarding training location and coaching.
Cooper is the best HS track prospect ever, and he doesn’t have to take poop from anyone.
I don’t mean to be rude, but what the hell are you going on about? The guy’s value will literally never be higher than it is right now. Heck, he can win Olympic gold in LA in 3 years and he wouldn’t command more money, but he would have lost out on the 700K-1M annual for the years he chose to run dual meets vs. 2 minute guys.
And btw, there’s no guarantee he improves and is even worth half of what he is right now. An injury could wipe everything away tomorrow.
In no world, if you’re getting sound advice, do you not strike while this iron is red hot. He just changed the trajectory of the rest of his life. Sheesh
Where do you come up with $700k/year? Nike will pay him $75k base with bonuses for making teams, records, medals, etc. x 4 years (potentially 2 or 6 years in this case, around the Olympic cycle). He’ll get stipends, gear, and be required to race a certain amount of times each year and be at specific Nike sponsored events. In no world is he making $700k-1 million a year. No way. Not even close.
Same posters were all excited for Kessler to go pro. He had a couple years of only racing a couple times a year and displayed a compete disaster for race tactics. His improvement curve was stunted. He was “too good” to race ncaa, but really he wasn’t. Sure Cooper gets paid, but let’s not pretend this is the best development environment for him as a person or runner.
Are you implying Cooper, the 1:42 guy, isn’t “too good” to race high school kids next year?
Also, just because Hobbs struggled his first year as a pro does not mean his improvement was stunted. Alan Webb went to college for a year and struggled a bit (by his standards) before his breakthrough in 2004. Everyone’s path is different.
Hobbs:
2022 (would be freshman): 2:16 1000. 2023 (would be sophomore): 3:32 1500 2024 (would be junior) 3:29/1:43 + 5th place at Olympics
Do you think he would have won gold had he competed in the NCAA and not had his improvement stunted?
800 training takes about 10 to 15 hours a week max. I'd just study math or computer science (something interesting like that) at a nice university while I trained for the 800 and make 300k/yr doing that. Running doesn't last forever.
Same posters were all excited for Kessler to go pro. He had a couple years of only racing a couple times a year and displayed a compete disaster for race tactics. His improvement curve was stunted. He was “too good” to race ncaa, but really he wasn’t. Sure Cooper gets paid, but let’s not pretend this is the best development environment for him as a person or runner.
First, the comparison to Hunter is ridiculous. Not even apples to oranges, more like apples to a brick. Hunter was never even breaking national HS records let alone age class WRs like Cooper. ...Nor has he made a National team to go to Olys or WCs. Not as a HSer and not as a pro.
As for comparison to Hobbs, perhaps you have an apples to oranges comparison because they both broke HS records and did/are skipping NCAA. But Cooper has already leapt beyond Hobbs by setting an age class WR and making a WC team in his very first meet against Pros, all at age 16.
The only legitimate comparison is Jim Ryun. But Ryun was a little older. Of course Ryun went on to beat the best in the world and WR holder at two events. Lutkenhaus has yet to accomplish that or even win at the pro level but going pro at 16 is certainly thr only logical choice.
He has one race under 1:45. Maybe he is the next Jim Ryun, maybe he is just the next Kessler.
Good for him. Obviously the right move since Texas doesn't allow NIL— his market value may never be higher, and this secures lifechanging money for him and his family.
Hope he gets to stick with his high school coach for the next few years and make a gradual transition to a full professional schedule.
First, the comparison to Hunter is ridiculous. Not even apples to oranges, more like apples to a brick. Hunter was never even breaking national HS records let alone age class WRs like Cooper. ...Nor has he made a National team to go to Olys or WCs. Not as a HSer and not as a pro.
As for comparison to Hobbs, perhaps you have an apples to oranges comparison because they both broke HS records and did/are skipping NCAA. But Cooper has already leapt beyond Hobbs by setting an age class WR and making a WC team in his very first meet against Pros, all at age 16.
The only legitimate comparison is Jim Ryun. But Ryun was a little older. Of course Ryun went on to beat the best in the world and WR holder at two events. Lutkenhaus has yet to accomplish that or even win at the pro level but going pro at 16 is certainly thr only logical choice.
He has one race under 1:45. Maybe he is the next Jim Ryun, maybe he is just the next Kessler.
Even more reason to sign now. If his ceiling is 5th place at the Olympics, as amazing as that is, he wouldn’t command anywhere near what he’s getting now.
Surprised and disappointed to hear that because going pro early has only worked out for a few. Obviously he wasn’t going to have any competition in the 8 but he would have had opportunities to get his 400 and mile time down to truly sument his legacy.
Ermmm, cuz he gets 20% of whatever Cooper makes? Of course the agents want the sure money now. They are like realtors in that respect, Always Be Closing.
So without knowing the details of his contract, you have determined that his agent doesn't have his best interests in mind and somehow compromised his long term earning potential as a result of this contract being signed?
Because you’re, in your words, puzzled that he went pro.
Three short weeks ago his entire life changed so dramatically and we should assume info is coming at them fast and furious. There’s nothing at all to be puzzled about and those involved in the sport knew this was coming even before Paul Moser was hugging him trackside. There is absolutely nothing to be puzzled about here.
This is logical and was so obviously coming.
And for those who are bummed that he won’t be setting more HS records or spending a year or two in college, well, I don’t even know where to begin with you all.
So you got your panties in a bunch because you lack reading comprehension skills. I explained why it made sense to go pro, and stated that it was puzzling that they made that decision after repeatedly saying he (and they) wanted him to stay in high school competition.
I know Paul, and it’s silly to think that companies wouldn’t be offering him contracts after what happened. That wasn’t my point, which somehow you missed. Nothing you’re saying is unique, I was just pointing out two sides of the story. You are the problem with Internet dialogue these days. So easy to snap, and for no reason at all. As I said before, they obviously made the right decision. With no NIL in Texas, it would be stupid to miss out on this opportunity to get paid.
Whatever they “repeatedly” said was in the last 3 weeks. What I’m saying isn’t unique, because it’s common sense and the only move for a guy who is only about a second off the WR as a gosh darn 16 year old.
Let it forever be known that track all access had the scoop on this first.
TrackAllAccess broke an embargo that all other media entities were under. It wasn't supposed to be announced until later this week. They all knew it was coming. Nike likely not pleased with gordon.
Would have been nice to have had Cooper announce himself or have done a photo shoot or video promo
I would Imagine that Cooper gets 1M+/year. It was rumored that Brazier signed for around 500K and Cooper is both much younger and better than Brazier was at that point (and there has been significant inflation since then). Both Jakob and Warholm make multiple millions/year and if he got to their dominant level (which nike might expect him to) he could make that or more considering that there is relatively more money in the 800m and that Americans tend to get paid more, especially considering that the next olympics are here. But both of them are also celebrities in a way that he is not, so it might not be quite that high.