It's not exactly analogous, but Nike signed 20-year-old Tiger woods for $40 million in 1996. Most people thought Nike overpaid.
They "overpaid" him as an unproven rookie pro player, but "invested wisely" in the future potential of him drawing a whole lot of new consumers to the sport. Worked out pretty well for them.
Actually you are wrong again. The kid ran 1:42 at 16, and you are essentially saying that the coach doesn’t know what he is doing. You have no clue. The guy who is coaching him is doing a great job.
Ahhh...another shout from the peanut gallery, "essentially saying" is not "Saying". Now go back and read the post again and try not to get too worked up. Of course the coach has done a great job, but let's not forget how gifted Cooper is and that he's just 16!!!! Coaching a world class athlete on a year around schedule isn't easy and requires a bit of experience. Seeking some world class advice isn't saying he can't coach Cooper, just making sure he knows what to expect both good and bad can't hurt. Cooper has got a lot of growing to do, both mentally and physically and having a solid support system overseeing that is gonna be HUGE.
I'm a fan and am excited to see how fast Cooper can run. You can relax now!
Don’t think the person you’re responding to was worked up. Odd response.
Ahhh...another shout from the peanut gallery, "essentially saying" is not "Saying". Now go back and read the post again and try not to get too worked up. Of course the coach has done a great job, but let's not forget how gifted Cooper is and that he's just 16!!!! Coaching a world class athlete on a year around schedule isn't easy and requires a bit of experience. Seeking some world class advice isn't saying he can't coach Cooper, just making sure he knows what to expect both good and bad can't hurt. Cooper has got a lot of growing to do, both mentally and physically and having a solid support system overseeing that is gonna be HUGE.
I'm a fan and am excited to see how fast Cooper can run. You can relax now!
Don’t think the person you’re responding to was worked up. Odd response.
Yep. That link the pearl clutcher phony provided is from a site that has been caught making up things simply to see if they could enact “cultural shift”. You should check out their staff someday. It’s packed with a horde of the usual suspects along with other woke tools who have that look of being “off” that only the true believer wokesters can provide. Ugly people with uglier agendas. Figures.
I just hope he has positive guidance required to turn pro so young. Other sports like the NBA even with its superior structure, sometimes some young players struggle with the pressure that comes with the intense spotlight and obviously there are so many horror stories among young actors and even in track with people like Mary Cain . If he can handle this level of professionalism, has the positive support system, he can indeed do very well. I'm definitely cheering for him and his success.
I just hope he has positive guidance required to turn pro so young. Other sports like the NBA even with its superior structure, sometimes some young players struggle with the pressure that comes with the intense spotlight and obviously there are so many horror stories among young actors and even in track with people like Mary Cain . If he can handle this level of professionalism, has the positive support system, he can indeed do very well. I'm definitely cheering for him and his success.
Why is Mary Cain a horror story?
She was too fast for hs and college.
Her early pro training led to a world JR title at 3000. (Only ever US distance gold)
She also won US open women's titles, qualified for World 1500 final in Moscow, and set U20 marks from 800 to 5000.
Her contract was also set up to pay for her college. She made all A's at Portland and Fordham, earning her a current spot at Stanford Med School.
The issue for Mary was not her 'pro' running, but more just that her body exploded, as she entered womanhood. No matter who she was training with the U23 Cain was not going to be as fast as the U20 Cain.
She is actually a good example of how a smart long term contract can ensure a good future, even if the running does not work out.
Even Drew Hunter is not really a bust. Twice 4th at USATF, at least 1 usa title. He is not Grant Fisher, but he has at least been on the scene for duration of his contract.
Cooper's deal? I would guess it runs through 2032, 2 Olympic Cycles. Pays for his college cost, and is about $8 million - $1 million per year over 8 years 2025-32.
It's up to him and his team - parents, hs coach, agent, Nike advisor to set up the coaching/living so that he is healthy and happy.
I've browsed this entire thread and every page people are going on and on about Cooper running 1:42 and that is the reason he should be getting a lucrative Nike contract.
If that is the case, how about Nike giving Hoey some compensation. He made that race. He was the one who paced the whole field at sub WR pace for over the half the race. What is his reward? A 4th place finish, doesn't make the WC team, and by all indications still eking out whatever meager living he was getting before.
No doubt Cooper would have done well in that race regardless given how well he finished. But would he be turning pro if he ran a 1:45 which easily could have happened if not for the blistering pace Hoey set?
You have point there. But even so, there is a good argument for Nike floating Hoey a little tip for what he did. I mean if Nike is so enthralled by amazing eye opening times, Hoey is deserving of it. Plus, Nike is founded on the inspiration of a distance runner who front led for most of the last mile of a race but finished fourth.
I also say this out of selfishness. I find it refreshing in recent years how some runners have pushed the pace early in championship distance races. I don't want to go back to seeing dull, plodding races until the last lap.
