Leon Marchand is really killing it at just 22! After an amazing summer at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where he snagged four gold medals and even received the Legion of Honor, he’s gearing up to compete again this week at the Short Course World Cup in Shanghai. It’s no surprise that he’s become a superstar in France. But at the same time, following this, he’s been getting tons of partnership offers from different brands, and the amounts being tossed around are mind-blowing!

After enjoying perks like a luxury car and hanging out with freestyle skier Eileen Gu in Paris, Leon Marchand is being selective about his partnerships. Brands are eager to team up with him, but not everyone can meet his price. As highlighted in the La Tribune publication, “Leon Marchand can demand over a million per year per contract,” with offers around $1.5 million considered high. But his words don’t match his actions. You might ask why because, as he said, “I didn’t do this sport to earn money.” 

On October 3rd, Leon Marchand appeared on a YouTube episode of Clique TV titled “Leon Marchand: le grand débrief des JO – CANAL+,” where he shared some candid thoughts about his swimming career. He emphasized that his motivation for the sport wasn’t financial, stating, “I didn’t do this sport to earn money; otherwise I would have done something else, and really my goal is to be able to surpass myself in my sport and to feel better once that I’ve done all that.”

Well, before going pro, Leon Marchand was a computer science major at Arizona State University (ASU), where he achieved perfect or near-perfect grades. He acknowledged his visibility at the Olympics, saying, “I have been very visible at the Olympic Games and so on, but that does not change my motivation for me; it is to work up quickly; it is not to earn money; I will have another life after this.” This really shows his focus on personal growth and performance over financial gain. That said, Leon Marchand is often seen as the potential heir to Michael Phelps’ throne.

As of 2024, his net worth is estimated to be between $2 and $3 million, all because of his prize money, sponsorships, endorsements, and professional contracts. While matching Phelps’ incredible record of 23 Olympic gold medals is no small feat, Marchand’s rising success suggests he’s more than capable of carving out his own legacy in the sport.

However, Marchand has scored some impressive endorsement deals with big-name brands like Arena, Omega, and Louis Vuitton. He wore an Omega Speedmaster Chronoscope during all four medal ceremonies at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Although he often wears Speedo swimwear, it’s worth mentioning that Speedo isn’t an official sponsor; still, their Senior Vice President of Global Sports Marketing has expressed interest in teaming up with him.

Marchand wants to be selective about his sponsorships, aiming to avoid being just a “walking advertisement” and keeping things exclusive in his brand collaborations. While Leon Marchand is making a name for himself as a swimming legend, it’s all because of the genes!

Leon Marchand’s path from family heritage to Olympic glory

Leon Marchand comes from a family of talented swimmers. His parents, Xavier Marchand and Celine Bonnet, both represented France internationally, including at the Olympics. Xavier swam in the Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000 Games, while Celine competed in the Barcelona 1992 Olympics. Growing up in such a sporty household definitely set the stage for Leon’s own swimming journey.

Both parents also have gold medals to their names; Xavier won the 200m individual medley at the 1997 Mediterranean Games, and Céline took the same title at the 1991 Games, creating a strong legacy for Leon to follow. Interestingly, Leon actually quit swimming when he was seven because he found the water too cold and didn’t enjoy being in the pool. During his two-year break, his parents encouraged him to try other sports, and he even gave rugby a shot. But it didn’t take long for him to realize that he was much better in the water than on land, so he made his way back to swimming.

Leon Marchand made his Olympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 Games, where he finished sixth in the 400m individual medley. Since then, he’s really upped his game, leading into the Paris 2024 Olympics. In 2023, he added three NCAA golds while defending his world titles and clinching the 200m butterfly. It’s clear that Marchand is all about making a name for himself, focusing on achievement rather than just chasing money.