Phelps Signs First Post-Suspension Endorsement Deal

Retta Race
by Retta Race 15

September 15th, 2015 News

In his first partnership since his DUI ordeal in 2014, 22-time Olympic medalist Michael Phelps has signed on as investor and spokesperson for Baltimore-based 800razors.com.  Terms of the new deal reported by The Baltimore Sun were not disclosed, but other investors include former Apple CEO John Sculley, according to the company.

Phelps’ agent and Managing Director at Octagon sports agency, Peter Carlisle, identifies the arrangement with 800razors.com as just “one of several new business partnerships being considered by Phelps” in the lead-up to the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.  The deal adds to Phelps’ already impressive sponsorship portfolio, which includes Under Armour, Omega, Master Spas, Sol Republic headphones and Aqua Sphere.

Philip Masiello, co-founder and CEO of 800razors.com, said Phelps’ role will include television and online advertising, but that Phelps will also have ‘significant ownership’ in the Windsor Mill company.  Carlisle says this deal’s architecture will be fairly typical of Phelps now that he’s well-established and thinking long-term.

“I don’t see him entertaining a typical spokesperson role,” Carlisle described. “That doesn’t mean he will only do deals where he will have ownership. They will have to be opportunities that make sense on a variety of levels beyond just the financial — for example, if there is a legitimate and meaningful tie-in to his foundation.”

800razors.com not only is Baltimore-based, which attracted the ever-Charm-City-loyal-Phelps right off the bat, but the company has an affiliation with Chimes, an organization providing job opportunities for people with disabilities. That’s a concept, which fits nicely with the Phelps Foundation and the organization’s support of the Special Olympics.

The partnership of arguably the world’s most successful swimmer and a razor company also fits nicely into the pre-racing ritual most athletes in this sport undergo.  Only now with this new deal, Phelps is ever the more invested in shaving down before the big meets.

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Hulk Swim
8 years ago

Oh goodie. Gina is off her meds again.

Joel Lin
8 years ago

Oh my. That reply is below the level. That level of disrespect for MP’s endorsement and even that company is abysmal. Please be more thoughtful in your posts. That is inappropriate.

Gina Rhinestone
Reply to  Joel Lin
8 years ago

Why? I need have no respect for Subway . All ppl who have sponsorships from that enabler company ought severe . Better still , return the $$$$.

Past sponsored should consult their ethics adviser.

Swimmer
Reply to  Gina Rhinestone
8 years ago

What’s your beef with subway? They seem like a fine company, and apart from the occasional overly crusty bread, I’ve had no problems with them, or their service. Am I missing something?

Joel Lin
8 years ago

Phelps has been endorsed by UnderArmour, Omega and by Subway. I wouldn’t call those a joke.

Gina Rhinestone
Reply to  Joel Lin
8 years ago

Jared Fogle.

Gina Rhinrstone
8 years ago

Good . When will this hipster thing end? I don’t mind a 3 -4 day growth but it is getting hard to tell who is a terrorist & who is not .

MarkB
Reply to  Gina Rhinrstone
8 years ago

Hysterical … (sigh)

Philip Johnson
Reply to  Gina Rhinrstone
8 years ago

What’s your beef with Phelps?

Gina Rhinestone
Reply to  Philip Johnson
8 years ago

I said it was a good thing he was promotiving shaving . I look in at cafes & see Bearded guys sipping their lattes & think – ‘no way Jose I’m going in there to be beheaded’ .

ok
Reply to  Gina Rhinestone
8 years ago

Check if the upper lip is trimmed or not (not shaved, just not grown to a full mustache)

jarrettbrown
8 years ago

Can a swimmer really sign an endorsement deal that’s not a joke for once?

Irish Ringer
Reply to  jarrettbrown
8 years ago

Throw out some examples Jarrett Brown.

Years of Plain Suck
8 years ago

800Razors’ tagline will have Phelps say:

“I beat Cavic by a whisker!”

-or-

“When I shave by leg and arm hair before Olympic finals, I always use 800Razors. They make me smooooth in the water!”

Years of Plain Suck
Reply to  Years of Plain Suck
8 years ago

MP: “Beating Chad Le Clos in the 100 fly at London was a close shave, but not as close as the shave 800Razors gives me!”

About Retta Race

Retta Race

Former Masters swimmer and coach Loretta (Retta) thrives on a non-stop but productive schedule. Nowadays, that includes having just earned her MBA while working full-time in IT while owning French 75 Boutique while also providing swimming insight for BBC.

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