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Tiger Woods of swimming?

Tuesday, August 22, 2006

Former N.C. State swimmer Cullen Jones recently signed a seven-year endorsement deal with Nike worth potentially more than $2 million, which would make him the highest-paid sprint freestyler in the world, according to the CHARLOTTE OBSERVER.

"This is a kid who a month ago was worried about being able to get his car fixed," said Evan Morgenstein, president and CEO of Premier Management Group, which represented Jones in the deal. "Now he's in position to be one of the highest-paid Olympic athletes in the world."

Jones, an African American who became the fastest U.S. freestyle sprinter this month, said he will use the spotlight to promote diversity in swimming and popularize the sport among people of color.

"If I can have the success my coaches believe I can, people will be able to call me the Tiger Woods of swimming," said Jones, 22, who still lives in Raleigh near N.C. State's campus.