Bobby Finke Speaking Fee: $30,000 to $50,000

Bobby Finke's journey in competitive swimming began early, influenced by his family's deep connection to the sport. Born on November 6, 1999, in Tampa, Florida, he was introduced to swimming by his mother, Jeanne, a former Ball State University swimmer, and his father, Joe, a coach at Saint Petersburg Aquatics. His two older sisters, Autumn and Ariel, also swam competitively at the collegiate level. This familial environment fostered his passion for the sport. Finke attended Countryside High School in Clearwater, Florida, where he honed his skills both with the school team and under Coach Fred Lewis at Saint Petersburg Aquatics. His high school years were marked by significant achievements, including becoming a Team USA World Championship qualifier in 2017 and earning titles such as two-time NISCA All-American and USA Swimming Scholastic All-American. These accomplishments set the stage for his collegiate career. At the University of Florida, Finke continued to excel, swimming under Coach Anthony Nesty from 2018 to 2022. His tenure with the Gators was distinguished by multiple accolades: he was an eleven-time All-American, secured SEC championships in events like the 1,650-yard freestyle and 400-yard individual medley, and was named Co-SEC Freshman Swimmer of the Year in 2019. Notably, he clinched NCAA titles in the 400-yard individual medley and 1,650-yard freestyle in 2021, followed by another NCAA championship in the 1,650-yard freestyle in 2022. Finke's international breakthrough came at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where he delivered remarkable performances. He secured gold medals in both the 800-meter and 1,500-meter freestyle events, becoming the first U.S. male swimmer to win a distance freestyle event at the Olympics since 1984. His strategy of maintaining a steady pace before unleashing a powerful sprint in the final laps captivated audiences worldwide. Beyond the Olympics, Finke continued to showcase his prowess. At the 2022 World Championships in Budapest, he won gold in the 800-meter freestyle and silver in the 1,500-meter freestyle. The following year, at the 2023 Fukuoka Championships, he added a silver in the 1,500-meter freestyle and a bronze in the 800-meter freestyle to his medal tally. His dedication and consistent performances have solidified his status as one of the premier distance swimmers on the global stage.