By: Leigh Steinberg ORIGINAL POST on Forbes.com
The Olympics have always been the most powerful creator of athletic household names. The World Cup and Super Bowl are in the same category. Television builds the athlete's back story and millions of viewers who don't follow these sports normally, are caught up in the drama and pageantry. The audience transcends the hard core fans and creates household names. The athletes are young and fresh-faced and generally display the best in fundamental values. National pride is a heavy factor in attracting a huge audience. Athletes who perform well in critical situations and have an interesting story are catapulted post-games into a celebrity making machine of talk shows and print press.
Athletes and their agents prepare an endorsement profile far in advance of the Games. They are in contact with corporations and sponsors that might want to feature the athlete in advertising done during the Games or after. Marketing decks and presentations extolling individual athletes sit in the hands of key executives.
Sometimes an unexpected athlete grabs center stage, as did gymnast Kerri Strug in 1996. We had to move rapidly to strategize how to keep her profile high as the games faded in memory.
Here are U.S. athletes with the best chance to star-build in the Rio Olympics:
1) Simone Biles, Gymnastics. The women's team is dominating the competition and this pretty, charismatic star may win the Gold for individual all-around. She has deals with Nike, Core Power, and GK Elite Sportswear and will have many more.
2) Katie Ledecky, Swimming. Another familiar face who may dominate the pool events. Charming and likable.
3) Michael Phelps, Swimming. The all-time medals winner in Olympic history is back to close out his career. He went through tough times and has bounced back. Under Armour, Subway, Visa, Power Bar, AT&T Wireless, and Speedo are a few of his deals.
4) Carli Lloyd, Alex Morgan, and Christen Press, Soccer. The US team may win Gold and these three women are telegenic and talented.
5) Kerri Walsh-Jennings and April Ross, Volleyball. Kerri Walsh has a new partner in April Ross and their pairing is dynamic.
6) Gabby Douglas, Aly Raisman, and Laurie Hernandez, Gymnastics. These women all have interesting stories and their enthusiasm and camaraderie jump off the television screen. America will fall in love with these young superstars.
7) Nathan Adrian and Caeleb Dressel, Swimming. The next generation of talented men's swimmers have a chance to emerge.
8) Allyson Felix, Track, LeShawn Merritt, Track. Felix is the best known face in women's track and has an interesting story. Merritt has a chance to win two gold medals. Men's track and field is traditionally an American stronghold, but individual stars have yet to emerge.
9) US Men's Basketball Team--Too many superstars to list. These are pros and the competitions are one-sided. The fact they are representing the country shows character and will enhance an already endorsement laden group.
10) Sam Mikulak, Gymnastics. Talented and rugged and from Newport Beach.
NBC Sports and the way in which they showcase stars and competitions is the major factor in the development of post-Olympic stars. Some stars not listed above will undoubtedly end up taking center stage over the next two weeks.