Mr. Olympia Phil Heath Agrees To Multi-Year Contract With American Media, Inc.'s Weider Publications

NEW YORK, May 22, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- David J. Pecker, Chairman, President, and CEO of American Media, Inc., today announced that the reigning Mr. Olympia Phil Heath has re-signed with AMI's Weider Publications, extending the original agreement that was signed in 2005 by multiple years. 

"We are thrilled to expand and deepen Phil's relationship with Weider/AMI with an exclusive contract that is befitting of a three-time winner of the Mr. Olympia contest," said Mr. Pecker.  "Phil has been a cornerstone of our athlete program and we take great pride in being a part of his journey to becoming a great champion who underscores the bright future of bodybuilding.  Not since Arnold Schwarzenegger has there been a Mr. Olympia who has had such an extraordinary impact on the sport.  His charisma, passion, and commitment to excellence make him a great global ambassador for the Mr. Olympia and the sport."

Heath originally signed on with Weider/AMI in 2005.  Since then, he has rapidly risen to the top of the sport.  In 2006, Heath won the Colorado Pro Show and the New York Pro.  In 2008 and 2010, he was runner up at the Arnold Classic, then in 2011 he won the coveted Mr. Olympia and has been on a winning streak ever since then.  Heath has won the 2011, 2012 and 2013 Mr. Olympia and the 2011, 2012 Sheru Classic, and last year also won the 2013 Arnold Classic Europe. 

Heath's path to winning the 2013 Mr. Olympia crown followed an interesting path, which highlights his ability to meet and conquer significant challenges.  For four years he played guard for the University of Denver men's basketball team.  In 2002, at the end of his college basketball career, the 180-pound athlete decided to turn his attention to the sport of bodybuilding.  He transformed his training and nutrition regimen and earned professional status three years later by winning the heavyweight and overall titles at the 2005 NPC USA Bodybuilding Championships.  In 2006, Heath did what many amateurs can only dream of, he won his first 2 IFBB Pro shows with a win at the IFBB Colorado Pro and the New York Pro, a future Mr. Olympia was rising through the ranks.  Heath has a history of participating in Mr. Olympia, placing 3rd in 2008, 5th in 2009, and 2nd in 2010 before winning the title in 2011, 2012, and 2013.  In the process, Heath became only the 13th competitor in history to win the Olympia title. 

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About American Media, Inc.
American Media, Inc. (AMI) owns and operates the leading print and digital celebrity and health & fitness media brands in the United States.  AMI's titles include National Enquirer, Star, OK!, Globe, National Examiner, Country Weekly, Soap Opera Digest, Shape, Fit Pregnancy, Natural Health, Men's Fitness, Muscle & Fitness, Flex and Muscle & Fitness Hers.  AMI also manages 18 different digital sites including RadarOnline.com, OKmagazine.com, CountryWeekly.com, Shape.com, FitPregnancy.com, MensFitness.com, MuscleandFitness.com and Flexonline.com.  AMI's magazines have a combined total circulation of 7.1+ million and reach more than 56 million men and women each month. AMI's digital properties reach an average of 39+ million unique visitors and 308+ million page views monthly.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140522/90394 

SOURCE American Media, Inc.