- German athlete Alicia Schmidt talks about turning down huge amounts of money
- She said you need to support a company “100 percent” before you support it.
- Ms Schmidt claims her main salary is just £600 a month.
German track and field star Alicia Schmidt has revealed how she turned down a huge sponsorship deal that could have been worth up to “high six figures” because she “wasn't comfortable” despite her modest income.
The 25-year-old represented her country in the 400m event and was part of the German relay team that traveled to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, but did not compete.
Dubbed the “World's Sexiest Athlete,” Schmidt has a huge social media following with 4.9 million followers on Instagram and 2 million followers on TikTok, and is known for her participation in races and track events. I regularly post photos and clips of me getting ready.
She also shows off the glamorous side of her life, such as attending fashion shows, PR events, and glamorous vacations.
However, Schmidt made it clear that he is selective about the brand partnerships he signs.
She is head of Hugo Boss, but last year claimed that her main salary comes from the German sports foundation Sporthilfe, which gives her a monthly salary of just £600 (€700). ), and that's only because she's competing on the national team, reports Bild.
But despite his modest base salary, Mr. Schmidt has spoken openly about turning down big-ticket endorsements from “high-profile” companies and said he was “100 percent behind” a brand before signing with them. He said it must be done.
“Two months ago I received an offer from a famous brand,” she told Bild. But I wasn't 100 percent behind it. That's unpleasant. This would be in the mid to high six figures for the campaign. ”
Schmidt has previously spoken about athletes' struggles to earn a regular income, saying the money they are paid for participating in competitions is not enough to live on.
“Basically, I have to say that for most German track and field athletes, it is not easy to make a living from sports,” she told the German publication.
“Of course, you earn money through contests. Most contests don't make you money. Personally, I couldn't live on these amounts alone, because many competitions still involve travel costs, Because there are hotel costs and they aren't always covered.
“Most of us study part-time or take small jobs on the side to build a second source of income.”
Although Schmidt generates money from his huge Instagram following, he pursues interests outside of athletics.
She is said to have studied media and communication management through a virtual course to increase her options outside of sports.
Her honors as a runner include a silver medal in the 4×400 meter relay at the U20 European Athletics Championships. She then won the gold medal in the same competition and in the same event three years later.
Alongside athletics, Schmidt has used his knowledge of nutrition and fitness in other fields. She has been appointed fitness coach for Borussia Dortmund in the German Bundesliga for the 2020-21 season.
Meanwhile, she appeared in a viral clip with 6 million views showing her competing in the 400 meters with Dortmund defender Mats Hummels and easily winning.
In the same interview, she was asked about the chances of beating PSG's famous speed merchant Kylian Mbappe in the race.
She answered: “It depends on the distance.” I'm not the fastest, so I don't have a chance at 100 meters. But definitely 400 meters. I am almost certain that I can beat any soccer player. ”
