Shawn Johnson

[JJ4ISU]

Not sure if anyone has mentioned the fact that Betts Lexus/Cadillac in Des Moines gave WDM gymnast Shawn Johnson a new LandRover for her 16th birthday. I think this is nice and all, but what does that do to her amateur status? Could she still compete in college after accepting a gift like that? Just wondering...

 

[1100011CS]

I believe I read in a thread here before that she couldn't compete in college anyway.

 

[CyTom]

She had already taken endorsement deals last year, thus was already a pro.

 

[CyinCo]

Not sure if anyone has mentioned the fact that Betts Lexus/Cadillac in Des Moines gave WDM gymnast Shawn Johnson a new LandRover for her 16th birthday. I think this is nice and all, but what does that do to her amateur status? Could she still compete in college after accepting a gift like that? Just wondering...

Maybe they gave it to her parents. They'll just let her "borrow" it.

 

[kingcy]

That is a big no, even before this.

 

[theshadow]

College competition is several steps down from Olympic/World competition. There would be no reason for an elite gymnast like her to consider competing in college, even if there weren't already endorsement deals, etc.

 

[4429 mcc]

Just imagine how much pressure she'll be under come this summer! She's got that all-american look that is very marketable and with the national spotlight she stands to rake in the millions.

 

[IcSyU]

Just imagine how much pressure she'll be under come this summer! She's got that all-american look that is very marketable and with the national spotlight she stands to rake in the millions.

Advice to any guys who may be in school with her: Even if you don't like her, try and be her boyfriend...it HAS to pay dividends somehow...and I can think of a couple other ways other than money that it might...:wideeyed:

 

[Todd]

as long as her TEAMMATES don't get anything..she should be good with the NCAA...or so it seems.

 

[ketchupnmustard]

It's all seems kind of hokey. She can't compete in college because of endorsment deals, etc. Then how come Justin Samardjza could play football at ND while having a contract with the Chicago Cubs? Another case is that guy at Colorado a few years back who couldn't play because he had endorsment deals because he was an Olympic skier.

Cartoon physics I tell you.

 

[cloneu]

I might have to start doing some stretching to limber up so one day I too can get a free Landrover.:no:

 

[dundermifflin]

I am pretty sure this is just for 1 month of use.

 

[kingcy]

You can play minor league Baseball and play other college sprots. It has been that way for a long time. Dont know why they allow it but they do. There are a quite a few athletes that do that.

 

[ketchupnmustard]

Advice to any guys who may be in school with her: Even if you don't like her, try and be her boyfriend...it HAS to pay dividends somehow...and I can think of a couple other ways other than money that it might...:wideeyed:

While that worked for K-Fed, I hope she's smarter than that.

 

[Knownothing]

The clearinghouse has already agreed to let her be apart of the Kansas, Duke, and Texas Gymnastic Teams after she graduates high school. They said in there statement that any schools other than those mentioned they would have a real problem with and will probably make her sit out a few years. However Kansas, Duke, and Texas are O.K.

 

[BryceC]

Per NCAA rules, you can compete in a sport professionally like Boxing or baseball if it's not the sport you compete in during college. Dennis Dixon for Oregon plays baseball in the summer too. There are a lot of guys who do it.

Taking endorsements is an immediate disqualification and that's why Bloom couldn't play football.