“Americans love to swim: 93 million people do so and spend $1.4 billion on suits every year. For professional swimmers, this means both lucrative sponsorship and a deep-pocketed support organization — USA Swimming raises about $100 million a year, from its nearly 300,000 members’ registration fees, taking a share of about a sixth of that money for its own revenue. Much like running, swimming is a sport in which the elites are supported by the hobbyists. The cut from member registration — about $16 million in 2011 — keeps the elites afloat.” Lochte is set to earn about $2.3 million this year, read more here no CNN Money.
