German runner Alica Schmidt, dubbed the “World’s Sexiest Athlete,” can’t be bought and sold. That’s the message she’s sending to well-known brands looking to ink her to a big-time endorsement deal.
If she’s not feeling it, she’s not signing on the dotted line, no matter how big of a payday is waiting for her. This despite the fact that there isn’t a ton of money in track and field.
Alika Schmidt of the German team reacts before the second heat of the mixed 4x400m relay on the first day of the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Sean Botterill/Getty Images)
Despite being signed to multiple brands and gaining a huge following on social media, Arika considers herself an athlete first, not a model. She recently put her money where her mouth is.
She wasn't “100 percent sold'' on a lucrative sponsorship deal from a famous company and ended up turning it down.
“Two months ago, I received an offer from a famous brand, but I wasn't 100 percent behind it,” the 25-year-old track and field star revealed. “I'm not happy with that. It's probably a mid- to high-six figure number for a campaign.”
[–>[–>
Arika has been vocal about the challenges athletes face when it comes to earning enough money to live. In many cases, they must rely on means of supporting themselves other than the money they earn through competition.
Arika Schmidt doesn't give any brand the endorsement of the world's sexiest athlete
“Basically, I have to say that for most German track and field athletes, it's not easy to make a living from sports,” Arica said about making a living from track and field.
“Of course, you can make money through competitions. Most competitions do not generate any money. Personally, I cannot live on this amount alone, because many competitions still There are travel and accommodation costs that are not always covered. ”
Of course, she's been able to earn some income from her large social media following, but that doesn't mean she needs to jump on the treadmill of endless endorsement deals.
There's something to be said for being able to turn down a six-figure salary just because you're not fully on board with the brand. Some people say it's crazy, but I keep thinking about that sad Copper Fit commercial.
[–>[–>
No one believed the product worked, and everyone was just trying to do a quick check. No one wants to see that happen to the world's sexiest athlete.
