>>>Yup, according to the NCAA endorsements make you a professional.
>>>
>>>>An article in the paper today said Jordan had some endorsements in place beffore the games began but probably cost herself "millions" with her lower than expected performance.
>>>>
>>>>The one who is really leaving a pile of money on the table is Missy Franklin. She wants to retain her eligibility for her last year of high school and four years of college, and would not be able to that with endorsement deals. Evidently that makes her a professional even if she does not compete professionally.
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>>Take the endorsments, woman! You can *buy* yourself a high school and college. ( I think every athlete should remember how quickly they are disposable by the commercial world if an injury ends their magical powers. I'd love to know what kind of insurance policy Andrew Luck had his last season )
>
>On the one hand, I can agree with your logic. On the other hand, however, is the reason why Missy and her family didn't move to Cali or Florida. All of her friends are there in Colorado. She wants to finish her high school years as 'normally' as possible.

It's not like she can't have her cake and eat it too. Permanant disablity and loss of value insurance policies exist and allow a great deal of flexibliity for top athletes. I'm quite certain Matt Leinart's desire to enjoy his senior year at USC wouldn't have meant as much without his policies from Lloyd's of London. ;)