Swimmer Hoff, 16, signs 10-year deal

Speedo announced deal yesterday

By Kevin Van Valkenburg | Sun reporter

January 12, 2006

The face of Towson teenage swimmer Katie Hoff could be coming to a billboard near you or popping up in commercials on your television soon, and staying there for the next decade.

Speedo announced yesterday that it has signed the 16-year-old Hoff to a 10-year deal, the longest contract given to an athlete in the swimwear manufacturer's history.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Hoff's agent, Peter Carlisle, told the Associated Press that if Hoff achieves certain performance levels, the deal could reward her with seven-figure incentives.

Hoff, the youngest member of the U.S. Olympic team in 2004, won three gold medals at the 2005 FINA World Championships in Montreal, and many are predicting she could be one of the breakout stars at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

"It's kind of surreal," said Hoff, who was named female athlete of the year by USA Swimming in 2005. "I never would have thought when I was 7 or 8 that Speedo would one day be supporting me and paying me. It's an honor, really. But it also gives you a lot of motivation."

Hoff trains with the North Baltimore Aquatic Club, which has produced a number of female Olympic champions in recent years.

In addition to Hoff, Anita Nall won relay gold in 1992 and Beth Botsford won gold in the 100-meter backstroke in 1996.

However, the similarities between Hoff and NBAC's most famous alumnus, six-time gold medal-winner Michael Phelps, clearly played a role in Speedo's decision to sign her through 2016. (Phelps also has a long-term deal with Speedo.)

Like Phelps at a similar age, Hoff is just beginning to tap into her potential, and the possibility of her dominating multiple events in Beijing is very real.

Hoff - who decided to turn professional after the worlds in July 2005, when she dominated the 200- and 400-meter individual medleys - says she doesn't have any immediate plans for her endorsement money.

She recently earned her driver's license and purchased an Audi A3 with money she received for winning three events at the U.S. Open championships in December.

Hoff, who is home-schooled, is still looking forward to attending college, which Speedo has also agreed to pay for.

"I've always really liked California," Hoff said, when asked where she might attend college. "I think a place like USC would be a great environment."

Hoff will be in action this weekend in the Burgdorff Invitational at Rutgers University.