Posted on 09/20/2005 2:21:29 PM PDT by MikefromOhio
Michelle Wie will turn pro sometime between now and Oct. 11 -- her 16th birthday -- perhaps as early as next week. In doing so, she will become the world's highest-paid female golfer.
According to sources involved in the negotiations who requested anonymity, Wie will sign endorsement deals with three companies (one believed to be Nike) worth an estimated $8 million. Adding in tournament appearance fees and other endorsements, the Hawaiian teen's compensation for her first year as a pro is expected to reach $10 million -- not counting what she wins on the course. She also will enlist the services of the William Morris Agency to secure further commercial endorsements and guide her pro career, shunning traditional golf-management companies and suggesting her long-term aspirations may involve transcending the game as much as dominating it.
--snip--
So here she comes: a 6-foot-1, Korean-American phenom with good looks, poise, serious length off the tee and a golf swing woven by the finest natural ingredients known to man. "You watch her against other women, the shots she has, it's no contest," says Jimmie Johnson, who spent 10 years caddieing for Nick Price and has worked several tournaments for Wie. "She knows how to play golf. I don't see any weaknesses in her game."
Add the oversized-dream quotient so common among those her age, her gender-blender capabilities and the constant patter of attention Wie seems to thrive on and it's no wonder the line of high-profile dealmakers stretched around the block before narrowing to three primary management-company suitors. No wonder Wie will sign an equipment/apparel contract with Nike worth about $5 million per year, according to knowledgeable sources (Nike officials did not respond to repeated requests for comment).
(Excerpt) Read more at sports.espn.go.com ...
I hope she does well, but this much money that young can cause big time issues.
I hope she does well, but this much money that young can cause big time issues.
I seem to recall seeing an interview with her, and it seems that her parents have worked to really keep her grounded. She's about as "normal" as any world class athelete at that age can be. But you're right, anything could happen, and I wish her well.
Mark
I wonder if she will get the nickname, "Tigress?"
You Go Girl!
She really wants to play with the men..which ain't a good thing for the LPGA tour,...
Are you saying most gals on the LPGA don't like Boys? :-}
reacord=record
thats what I was thinking
we will see...
considering how annika Sorenstam needs some competition from the younger ones, and virtually everyone who watches ESPN has heard of Wie before, she would be dumb to deny her.
For Wie, that would just free her up to play men's tournaments and possibly even get her card and skip the LPGA altogether.
I don't think the LPGA lets her do that willingly.
Great minds think alike
Lol, yeah!
Not to mention her modeling career.
possibly...
I do think Michelle has the chance to earn her PGA card. That said, I think she would struggle to win, but then again, she is only 16 but is hitting 320+ yd drives....
au contraire...in the locker roomher mom had to beat most of the other LPGA tour pros off of her with a mashie..
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