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Causing a Rumble in the Food Jungle: The Foreman Grill Goes for Gold

Article Overview: Critics were skeptical of Foreman’s decision to return to boxing after some ten years. He was out of shape, some said. He was only in it for the publicity, said others. They were right about one thing – Foreman was definitely no longer in his prime.

Causing a Rumble in the Food Jungle: The Foreman Grill Goes for Gold

Critics were skeptical of Foreman's decision to return to boxing after some ten years. He was out of shape, some said. He was only in it for the publicity, said others. They were right about one thing - Foreman was definitely no longer in his prime.

Foreman, however, was not worried. "I might be the fattest guy in the world," he said, "but I got the hardest punch!" He began winning fight after fight, including 23 knockout wins. In 1994, he competed for the World Boxing Association heavyweight title and won, effectively silencing his critics. "I became heavyweight champion, the oldest man to do so," he recalls proudly. "I felt so complete and I remember falling to my knees and thanking God."

But his winning streak did not just bring him back into the boxing world. Indeed, it opened him up to the entirely new world of business. As a result of his success in the ring, companies began offering him endorsement opportunities; they wanted his winning face on their products.

Soon came the one product that would change his life. In 1995, Foreman became the face of the Lean, Mean, Fat-Reducing Grilling Machine, manufactured by Salton. After finally retiring from boxing in 1997, Foreman devoted himself full time to touring the world promoting the George Foreman Grills, and sales began to take off. In 2002 alone, the company earned some $922 million from sales of the grill.

Over time, Foreman would earn three times more from his grills than he did throughout his entire career as a boxer. With the rights to 60% of the profits from the grills, Foreman was at one point earning $4.5 million in month from Salton. In 1999, Salton bought the rights to his name and selling skills indefinitely for $127.4 million in cash and $10 million in stock. It remains one of the biggest athlete endorsement deals in history.

With his newfound business success, Foreman decided that grills would be just the beginning. In 1993, he created his own comedy TV show for ABC called simply "George." From TV, he moved onto clothing, creating the George Foreman brand of "Big and Tall" clothing. After all, he says, "You got to look nice. If you got 10 kids; they'll talk about you if you don't look nice."

Next, he moved onto books. Foreman has published ten books to date on everything from his life story, to his spirituality, to the lessons he has learned as an entrepreneur and father. In 2007, Foreman became partner in the Panther Racing Indy Car team, and later returned to the world of television with his own reality show called "Family Foreman."

Today, the two-time World Heavyweight Boxing Champion Foreman continues his reign as "Big George" in the business world. He is now bringing several of his ten children into his business, teaching them the ropes, and showing them that they too can achieve the greatness that he did.

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Article Tags: 10 million, 5 million, athlete, boxing world, business success, endorsement deals, fattest guy in the world, foreman grill, george foreman, george foreman grills, heavyweight champion, heavyweight title, jungle, knees, knockout, oldest man, salton, thanking god, winning streak, world boxing association



Related Forum Posts
Re: Have You Ever Fallen For Marketing Hype? - Not all "As seen on tv" products can be bad, as some of them even make it to the mainstream like the George Foreman Grill which is sold at places like Zellers and other large retailers now. I have a friend who owns and loves both the George Foreman Grill and the Bowflex.
Re: Have You Ever Fallen For Marketing Hype? - [quote="BuzzAroundBooks":1u9z7zli]Not all "As seen on tv" products can be bad, as some of them even make it to the mainstream like the George Foreman Grill which is sold at places like Zellers and other large retailers now. [/quote:1u9z7zli] Kevin, How do you know? Our family JUST got the George Foreman Grill last week. We're trying it out this week.... we also have something similar to Bowflex though... can't remember what's called. Regards, Takuya
Re: Who to profile next? - Hi Evan, How about a profile on George Foreman?
Lipstick Jungle & Cashmere Mafia - Has anyone been watching these shows? I have been watching Cashmere Mafia and really enjoying it, until I watched Lipstick Jungle last night. Finally - a show that really reflects what successful women are having to deal with! your thoughts??
Congratulations - Hi Shri, Congratulations to your win. Next time you will go for the 'Gold Medal'. This does not happen everyday. All the hard work is paying you off. We wish you well for future projects you have in mind. Be encouraged! Kindest Regards Beat "Unlock People's Potentials!"


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