SavvySugar

London 2012 Olympics Won't Compete With Beijing Games

SavvySugar — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 04:00:44 -0700

The 2012 Summer Olympics will take place in London and the city is already admitting their turn to host will not be as extravagant as Beijing. Britain has nothing to feel badly about; this year's Olympics were the most expensive in history, and it's unlikely another city would top that.

Britain is in the midst of a credit crunch that didn't exist when they won the Olympic sweepstakes three years ago. The government has already expanded their original budget by $13 billion, and says the current $17.4 billion budget is all they can afford. Unfortunately, there's no guarantee the expense will pay off - a Merill Lynch study showed that of the last 11 Olympics, the Games caused financial problems for 10 of the host cities.

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Guess Who? Supportive Parents

SavvySugar — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 15:30:31 -0700

Whose parents mortgaged their home more than once to keep their daughter in the gym?

Michael Phelps Endorsement Deals: How Money Are You?

SavvySugar — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 09:30:16 -0700

Michael Phelps and gold will continue to go hand in hand due to his record-breaking Olympic performance, and thanks to endorsements it looks like the history maker won't go without for quite some time. Marketers from all walks of business have been trying to get their hands on Michael's buff bod to represent their brands.

We know he's money, but are you? Take the quiz to see if you know which brands have successfully signed him to endorsement deals.

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Guess the Olympic Sponsor

SavvySugar — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 15:30:32 -0700

NBC's research shows that women ages 18 and older have made up about 49 percent of those viewing the network's 2008 Olympic coverage. Advertisers know who's watching and aim some ads at female consumers, including this shot below of Nastia Liukin. Can you guess the Olympic sponsor?

Michael Phelps Pure Gold in More Ways Than Eight

SavvySugar — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:30:06 -0700

Olympics fans have been riding on a Michael Phelps wave since he began winning his eight gold medals in Beijing and breaking world records. But sporting the gold isn't a new thing for Phelps - he won six medals in Athens four years ago, and has been collecting about $5 million a year in endorsement checks from VISA after that impressive, teenage performance.

The 23-year-old Phelps has proven his talents have gotten better with more experience and advertisers are now paying even more attention. David Harrow of the National Sports Lawyers Association predicts "he may be at $30, $40, $50 million a year in endorsements after all this is said and done." It may not be $87 million like Tiger Woods, but I could definitely think of a thing or two to do with that kind of cash flow.

Phelps has made his mom and America proud and inspired young swimmers worldwide to believe in their sport. His medals and flush endorsement deals show that hard work (and a swimmers body) can pay off big-time.

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Guess How Much: Olympic Gold Monetary Value

SavvySugar — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 09:30:53 -0700

The pride represented by Olympic medals is priceless, but the medals themselves do have some monetary value. The Olympic Charter's guidelines state that the gold and silver medals must be made of at least 92.5 percent pure silver, and the gold medal must contain at least six grams of gold. Not that they're for sale, but can you guess how much gold medals are worth? Take the quiz!

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Guess How Much: Beijing 2008 Olympic Games

SavvySugar — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 09:30:54 -0700

The Beijing 2008 Games are the most expensive Olympics ever held, which is saying a lot considering the Athens 2004 Games came with a hefty $16 billion price tag. China is taking its host responsibilities seriously and has come through with a memorable opening ceremony and enormous venues suitable for Olympians. All of the attention and glory comes with a price - guess how much!

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Olympic Medalist Cash Prizes: How Money Are You?

SavvySugar — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 09:30:38 -0700

Athletes competing in Beijing are not paid for their participation, but American competitors who come out on top are rewarded in cash by the US Olympic Committee. Of course, the real money is in promotional contracts: Some of the most stellar athletes, like Michael Phelps, bring in millions with marketing deals.

Do you know how much the gold, silver, and bronze medalists are given as prizes for being the best? Take the quiz!

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The Bucks Behind the Olympics, in Pictures

SavvySugar — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 09:30:57 -0700

As the Olympic torch arrives in Beijing to tour the city before Friday's opening ceremony, the city is all decked out with images everywhere of the Games' sponsors. For global brands, the Olympics are an ideal venue because of the worldwide audience, though this year they may receive more enthusiasm from local consumers in China than viewers abroad. Wondering what company is in charge of the clocks used to decide who takes home the silver or gold? Curious to see what the 2008 Olympic medals look like? Like any big production, it takes money to make it all happen. Click "start slideshow" to see the elaborate ads and hardly subtle Olympic supporters.

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Something to Think About When You're Watching the Olympics

SavvySugar — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:30:07 -0700

I've always been kind of obsessed with the Summer Olympics - not in a sporting-an-Olympic-torch-t-shirt kind of way, but I wholeheartedly enjoy and appreciate watching the athletes whose careers are, in fact, sports. The competitors have spent most of their lives working toward the ultimate event that is the Olympics, and many would not have been so successful without their parents' emotional and financial support.

Here's how dedicated one Olympian's parents have been to her sport: Seventeen-year-old Charlotte Craig's father is building a house which he's hoping to sell to help finance her participation in taekwondo. Charlotte's parents spend $400 every month driving the 130 miles round trip to her lessons, four days a week. They've also shelled out about $15,000 a year traveling to taekwondo tournaments. Charlotte's success can be attributed to her dedication to the sport, but her parents certainly deserve a shiny medal for their steadfast support.

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