Telstra, Australia’s largest phone company, has signed openly gay Olympic gold medal diver Matthew Mitcham to a one-year deal. This is Mitcham’s first endorsement contract since the Olympics.
While no dollar figure was disclosed, Mitcham said it would be a “significant” help as he trains for competitions, with his goal being a repeat gold medal-winning performance in the 2012 Games in London. He said homophobia was not the reason it took so long to get an endorsement. Telstra called Mitcham a “positive role model for all Australians.”
He blames the current economic crisis rather than his sexuality for the sponsorship drought but is grateful Telstra has backed him.
“I was a little bit worried… so hopefully this will be a snowball effect, but I don’t want to count my chickens,” he said. “If I can get the opportunity where I would be able to train without having to worry about paying the bills, that would be the ultimate goal.”
For his contract, Mitcham, 20, will write a weekly blog, help launch products and make personal appearances.
The news of this is coincidental to the debate we have been having on Outsports about why Mitcham was not getting endorsements. I wrote that it was the lousy economy and bad timing that were the culprits, not homophobia. Telstra’s announcement bears that out. Good for Mitcham and for Telstra. The company has a youthful, exhubrant, highly charismatic spokesman, and Mitcham has some financial freedom to focus on his training.
on Feb 8th, 2009 at 5:22 pm
Good for him!
Congratulations and hopefully more endorsements will follow. Matthew Mitcham is an inspiration to many people and should be a great spokesperson.
on Feb 8th, 2009 at 7:10 pm
I second that congratulations, they are long overdue. Goes to show that backing the supposed all-star winner good ol’ boy may not be the best bet. Perhaps endorsing the athlete with drive and passion is better.
on Feb 8th, 2009 at 8:13 pm
Right on!
on Feb 8th, 2009 at 9:01 pm
YES!
That’s how it goes, Matt! I feel so happy right now despite I found out this morning at 5 as I was getting into bed, haha.
on Feb 9th, 2009 at 1:16 am
Just make sure at a party you are not photographed sucking on a bong or sucking anything else!! Choose your friends and your partys carefully!!
We love you and thanks for being a role model!
on Feb 9th, 2009 at 7:27 am
Good for you! And perhaps this will lead to other deals!
on Feb 9th, 2009 at 12:53 pm
Hey, Kelloggs,,,since you’re dumping Michael Phelps, how about replacing him with Matt!
on Feb 9th, 2009 at 3:23 pm
Wow, what for great news…Bloody hell, it was about time!! What were these sponsors thinking?! Of course he’s a incredibly positive role-model for all Australians and for the youth from around the world - gay, straight or whatever - for being so talented, brave, humble, articulate, smart and persevering. Plus he obviously is so exaggeratedly good-looking
Way to go, Matty lad!! I wish you nothing but the best in the future…And kudos to Telstra for being the firsts. Hope other major corporations follow their steps as well.
@ Bryan— Don’t worry, mate…we’ll never see him in some trashy tabloid for the wrong reasons like Failps. Am sure he fuckin’ hates that stuff. He’s just pure class act.
on Feb 9th, 2009 at 8:42 pm
Anyone know what happened with Matt and Lachlan? I haven’t seen Fletcher’s name in the press for ages now.
on Feb 10th, 2009 at 4:39 am
This isn’t the only gay athlete that Telstra has sponsored. They have sponsored Ian Thorpe for many years.
on Feb 10th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
@ DJ - Jim’s Friend —
Well, I’d freaking love to see another public appearance of Lachlan again….but I think it’s not gonna happen too often…Remember Matt said in the interview with “The Advocate” he was too shy for the media but he is happy that he’s “the one behind” (pardon the pun lol)
on Feb 11th, 2009 at 10:49 am
If Phelps had been sucking a dick instead of a bong, we’d know what role homophobia plays in marketing.
Matt’s beautiful and successful, and I wish him all the fortune in the world. I wished I owned a company, he’d be my spokesman in a heartbeat.
on Feb 12th, 2009 at 9:51 am
What a great brake for a very fine athlete, he has presented himself well and deserves all the support he needs to move forward in his sport. He is a fine example for the world to see and being gay or straight under the circumstances has nothing to do with his great achievments. Again congratulations!
on Feb 15th, 2009 at 1:55 am
Makes me feel so strong.
on Feb 15th, 2009 at 6:59 pm
Hopefully, this will be the first of MANY endorsements that Matthew deserves. As a retired police officer and baseball coach, I believe that Matthew is a tremendous role model for young gay men and women that are currently competing at all levels of prep and college sports. I have a gay nephew that excels in baseball and Matthew is most certainly one of his cherished role models. GOOD GOING MATT !!!!
on Feb 20th, 2009 at 5:47 pm
yay! good things do happen to good people (who come out)!!!
on Oct 22nd, 2009 at 11:35 pm
I love Matthew and I’m glad he’s getting recognition.
on Dec 15th, 2009 at 9:22 pm
It had nothing to do with the economy it had to do with him being gay lets not sugar coat this. I hope it improves but come on its not going to is it. Its sad that a persons sexual proclivities are more important than the persons heart and substance when are we going to wake up. Its great Mat has got a contract he should have had a lot more look at how the swimmers are feted its such a double standard.