Triple jump gold medallist Brian Wellman could be on the verge of signing a lucrative endorsement contract with sports shoe giant Nike.

In Bermuda for a short holiday before returning to Arkansas tomorrow to prepare for his first outdoor meet in El Paso, Texas, on April 14, Wellman was pleased about getting the attention of Nike, a company with worldwide net sales of almost $4 billion in 1994.

But he is in no mood to celebrate yet since a firm deal is still to be hammered out.

"The situation with Nike does sound pretty promising, but nothing has been finalised to date. These things take time, it's a pretty complex contract situation,'' he said. "I haven't talked to my manager lately so I don't know exactly what the finalities are, but I remain hopeful.'' Wellman, however, was quick to scotch rumours that the possible deal would be in excess $100,000. He said that substantial money deals like that are rarely offered to athletes these days.

"Top names like Mike Conley are getting just about half that amount at best,'' he claimed.

One thing for certain is that Wellman has now obtained significant name recognition as a result of his conquest in Barcelona, Spain, when he captured the gold medal with a leap of 58 feet, 13 inches at the World Indoor Championships. He eclipsed the previous record of 57 feet, 11 inches set by Conley.

Wellman revealed that other sponsors have expressed interest in him but would not reveal who they are at this time.

He's getting so much attention right now that even fans are writing to him requesting autographs.

A deal with Nike would come at an opportune time, since it was only a week ago that Wellman praised a new bonus scheme for local medallists. At the time he said athletes were always in need of cash and sponsorship, claiming "we have bills to pay like everybody else.'' He applauded the $45,000 incentive cash awards programme that was recently instituted by Government.

Until now the bulk of Wellman's sponsorship money has come from the agreement he has had with the Bank of Butterfield for the last three years, combined with assistance he has received from the Elite Athletes Fund.

Other than these means of help there isn't much else available locally, but this could change in the near future. "There are some other things here that seem to be happening, but nothing is firm yet,'' he noted.

Later he said: "When people realise that one has a legitimate chance of winning at major events like the World Championships or Olympics it is enough to make (that athlete) more attractive to any company that is aiming to promote a product. It's helpful when that company can see the potential of an athlete.'' Although contract negotiations with Nike are taking place, Wellman does not want to be sidetracked from preparing for the outdoor season.

He leaves tomorrow, beginning a mission that has him setting his sights on an outdoor triple jump record this summer.

"I missed the indoor world record by two inches due to a few technical things that I could have rectified. But with the outdoor season ahead, realistically, I want to break the record and win at the World Championships,'' he said.

Wellman said that jumping beyond 59 feet is attainable.

"It's very possible that I can jump 59-plus and be able to challenge for the world record.''