Ryan Lochte Could Star In His Own Reality Show After The London Olmpics

By Jeff Stone | August 08 2012 5:52 PM

Even though his Olympic Games are through, Ryan Lochte might not be done dominating American TV screens. Along with offers for endorsement deals and the inviting late-night talk show circuit, Ryan Lochte is now rumored to be the focal point of at least two different reality show ideas, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

REUTERS/Christinne Muschi

Even though his time at the Olympic Games is through, Ryan Lochte might not be done dominating American TV screens. Along with offers for endorsement deals and the obvious prospect of him making the late-night talk show circuit, Ryan Lochte is now rumored to be the focal point of at least two different reality show ideas, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

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"I cannot tell you the exact shows, but the two different reality show concepts have been offered and one additional is being discussed," Lochte's agent Erika Wright wrote in an email. "He has no issues whatsoever with regard to endorsements. ... I can say things have been quite busy for Team Lochte, heating up fast and furious since the Olympics."

Lochte could be the perfect fit for a network looking to drive ratings with a new reality show. Coming from relative obscurirty, especially compared to his teammate Michael Phelps, Lochte won five medals at the London Games and at age 28, they could be his last. MSNBC reports that Lochte's age at the time of the 2016 Games in Rio might mean that earning from a reality TV show could set him up for life.

As for actual ideas on what the show would be, SportsGrid.com suggested "Lawyerin' Lochte" where a camera crew would follow the swimmer through law school. They also brought up the idea of "Lochte vs. Kardashian" writing, "Put Lochte and Kim Kardashian in a locked room. Don't let them leave until they finish a Sudoku puzzle. Enjoy the longest-running show in TV history."

Lochte also seems to have embraced his new celebrity. During an interview with Ryan Seacrest, he said he plans on moving to Los Angeles when the Olympics are over and that he'd be open to appearing on the hit show "Dancing With The Stars," maybe even against Michael Phelps. Lochte also told Seacrest that he urinated in the Olympic pool, a comment that exposed more of the swimmer's personality than many fans might be used to from the athletes they cheer for.

Fans also were paying attention to Lochte after the swimmer's mother said that he wasn't in the market for a girlfriend, instead opting for "one-night stands." Jezebel named him "America's Sexiest Douchebag."

Early on during the Olympics, Forbes estimated that Lochte had garnered $2.3 million in endorsements thanks to deals with Speedo, Gatorade, Mutual of Omaha, Gillette, Proctor and Gamble, Ralph Lauren, Nissan and AT&T. Two years after Michael Phelps dominated the 2008 Olympic Games, he was estimated to have $6 million in endorsements.

The Hollywood Reporter also reported Lochte had been approached by "Funny Or Die," Will Ferrell's Internet comedy website. One consultant said Lochte is so attractive to Hollywood because he hasn't run afoul of the law, comparing him in that respect to the polarizing Kanye West.