LaShawn Merritt signs with Nike

[EPelle]

Re: LaShawn Merritt signs with Nike

Michael Johnson:

"In athletics a potential star emerged during the American indoor season in Lashawn Merritt, 19, the 2004 world junior champion at 400 metres. Competing in his first collegiate season, he stunned the track world last month when in two days he ran 44.93sec and 20.39sec indoors. To put these in perspective, his 400m time 44.93 was the third-fastest in history. I own the other two, and both of those were world records.

"But the real surprise is that just last week, one month into his college career, Merritt abruptly turned professional, signing what is reported to be a £220,000 per year contract with Nike. That is pretty amazing considering that he has not won anything on the senior level yet, and I question the decision to jump from college to professional track without honouring at least the first year of his scholarship commitment to East Carolina University."

http://sport.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main ... newy07.xml

[tafnut]

Re: LaShawn Merritt signs with Nike

>>I question the decision to jump from college to
>professional track without honouring at least the first year of his scholarship >commitment to East Carolina >University."

I wonder if that was even a consideration in his mind. Does he still get his expenses paid? I hope not. The coach is on record as saying this was too great an opportunity to pass up, but he should at least pay his own way now - or will they name him an Asst Coach (mentioned above) and say that's his stipend?