Katie Ledecky is leaving Stanford’s swimming team to concentrate on the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, giving up two years of NCAA eligibility in the process — but also paving the way to turn her athletic gifts into big money endorsement deals.
Katie Ledecky will turn pro, leave Stanford swimming to train for 2020 Olympics
Ledecky will still attend classes, but can finally accept endorsements now she’s no longer an amateur.
Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images
The five-time gold medalist made the announcement Monday at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., where she’d been previously scheduled for a public speaking appearance.
“I will be focusing on my training and accepting professional endorsements, sponsorships, and I’m really looking forward to the next couple years leading up to 2020,” Ledecky told the media in the nation’s capital. “My coach Greg Meehan has been very supportive of this decision. I’ve had two incredible collegiate years, winning two national championships with my teammates and I’m so happy that I’ve had that experience.”
By turning pro, Ledecky will have the opportunity to secure advertising deals while swimming in professional races that can actually pay for her efforts. While that closes the book on a brief, but impressive, collegiate career, the 21-year-old intends to continue taking classes at Stanford while practicing with the team.
It’s a move that makes sense; she had nothing left to prove as an amateur. Ledecky was already one of the world’s most accomplished swimmers before she even began her NCAA career. She’d already won six Olympic medals and nine world championship golds before taking her first class at Stanford. While swimming for the Cardinal, she led the women’s team to back-to-back team championships while winning four individual or relay titles in 2018 alone. She also set four different NCAA records in her brief run at Stanford
For D.C. native Ledecky, Monday’s announcement was about taking the next step in her swimming career in front of the people who matter most.
“It’s really special to make this announcement here at home because I was able to do it in front of a lot of people I really care about. I see my family, who has supported me throughout my swimming career. My teachers and friends from Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart, and the Leonsis family — [Washington Capitals and Wizards owner] Ted and Zach are here today, and Ted introduced me to my first professional athlete when I was two or three years old at an NHL hockey game, cheering on the Caps. It’s such an honor and privilege to have you here, because you have meant so much to our family ... I’m really excited about the future.”
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