Michael Phelps and Speedo were like the modern-day Jordan and Nike, but the swimmer has gone with a different company after his contract with Speedo went up.
As he comes back from retirement, Phelps and his coach Bob Bowman have signed with Aqua Sphere, a company with experience in triathlons and recreational swimming.
“Throughout my career, I’ve been able to do a lot of things with Speedo. The relationship was great,” Phelps told The Associated Press. “But we came to a point where we had an opportunity to really change the sport and grow the sport even more.”
Aqua Sphere will be designing a racing suit for the first time, and Phelps and Bowman will work with the company on an additional line of products and accessories—all carrying the swimmer’s name.
Understandably, the swim company, established in Italy in 1998, is overjoyed to be inking a deal with the most decorated Olympian of all time.
“From our first conversations with Michael and Bob, it was very evident that their goals and aspirations for swimming extend well beyond the competition pool,” said Todd Mitchell, Aqua Sphere’s business line manager, in a press release. “We are energized by the challenge to design, develop and package a premier brand that is inclusive and available for swimmers of all skill levels around the world.”
The contract, announced August 5, will run through the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.