Ok, so I just heard the news this morning while driving into work listening to ESPN’s ‘Mike & Mike in the Morning.’ Female golfer, Michelle Wie will to turn pro sometime before her 16th birthday, October 11th. The second that this happens, she’ll become the world's highest-paid female golfer. Golf World is reporting that she’s already got at least three big endorsements with major companies worth almost $10 million. This doesn’t even count what she wins on the LPGA tour
Surprisingly enough, Nike happens to be one of those ‘big endorsements’. I’m sure Gatorade is also lining up for their chance too.
I have nothing more to say about this – I really don’t. Nobody’s making a big deal about this girl turning pro – how come? Where are all of the same critics who moan and cry all day long about kids who enter the NBA draft? Or when Maurice Clarett and Mike Williams wanted to turn pro and play in the NFL after just one season in college – where are the people who were so adamant that they shouldn’t? She’s only going to be 16-years old…that would be a sophomore or junior in high school, correct? Or how come none of the MLS fans were ticked off that Washington signed Freddie Adu when he was like 6 years old. Ok, I’m exaggerating, but he was 14 years old…some kids aren’t even freshman in high school yet. How does this make sense?
I’m happy that this girl is going to make her family very comfortable. Only people who have been truly blessed with talent and have incredible work ethic and desire are as great as she already is. But I’m sick and tired of the ‘double-standard’ in sports and in this country. If a high schooler who wants to go pro in either football or basketball has to wait, then so should she.
Every commissioner or presidents of all professional sporting leagues need to sit down and set an age. Personally, I think it should be 18. When a kid turns 18-years of age, they can do whatever they want. And if we get another Maurice Clarett who wants to turn pro after his freshman year of college, fine. It’s his head on the swivel.
