It appears there’s no credible evidence that Apple CEO Tim Cook offered Alex Eala—the rising Filipino tennis star—a $24 million marketing contract tied to the iPhone launch. The story circulating online is unsubstantiated, likely a mix-up of similar rumors involving other athletes.
What is documented:
- There’s a recent viral false report that Tim Cook offered Nelly Korda, a top golf pro, a massive endorsement deal worth $245 million to promote Apple’s new iPhone AI features during the Amundi Evian Championship .
- Another similar-but-incorrect claim involved Alex Eala being offered $199 million to champion LGBTQ representation—but that appears entirely speculative, without confirmation from any legitimate source (sports.amazingtoday.net).
What We Know About Eala
- Alex Eala is an 18-year-old Filipino tennis sensation, steadily rising through the ranks.
- No credible media outlets report a $24 million contract offer from Apple.
- No public statement from Eala, her team, or Apple corroborates this.
Why This Likely Went Viral
- Mix-up with other rumors
The Tim Cook–Nelly Korda story (widely debunked) was retrofitted onto Eala, probably due to the similarity in theme—massive tech sponsorships involving sports stars. - Clickbait formula
Headlines like “$24 million offer” and “one-sentence response” attract attention even with zero credible groundwork. - Amplification via social media
Misinformation spreads fast with emotionally framed narratives (cash checks + athlete values).
The Real Status
- No reliable outlets (e.g., AP, ESPN, Reuters) have documented such an offer to Alex Eala.
- Apple has not announced partnering with her for an iPhone or AI marketing campaign.
- No verified quote exists from Eala responding to a $24 million pitch.
Final Takeaway
This story is most likely false or unverified. Unless a respected news source or Eala herself confirms the deal, it remains pure rumor. If you’d like, I can keep monitoring for real-time updates—but as of now, there’s no solid evidence supporting this claim.
Let me know if you want a deeper dive into the real Korda story or other verified athlete endorsements!
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