I have a hard time believing that by accepting a position on the World Cross Country team in Kenya, in front of a WORLD audience, on a WORLD stage that Nike would consider that BAD for business. Last time I checked, you don't need your teammates to place high individually. Last time I checked, you either compete well or you make excuses and don't. It seems Dathan (perhaps) was a bit uncertain about his fitness (he did after all get beaten pretty handily), even a little uncertain about the travel, etc. - so he opted out, bowed down to NYRR again (because they DO have him by the balls), choosing a safe 8k road race in central park (because "I like how the field is shaping up" ???)
But who cares? WHO CARES ABOUT DATHAN RITZENHEIN? There are better runners in the US. Hall will break 2:10 at London in his debut. He's a better runner than Ritz. Always has been, and will continue to prove it. Webb has done more in his professional career. Peter Gilmore is better. Brian Sell is better. Alan Culpepper is better, has been better, and always will be better than Dathan Ritzenhein. Goucher is better. Broe is better (when he's healthy and he will be). Tegenkamp is better - way better. I even think Fam is better. The US is so much better than this guy, so much to look forward to that doesn't depend on whether or not Dathan decides to represent the United States in the World Cross Championships.
Because when it comes down to it, what matters is what you do on the biggest stages in the world (World Champs, Olympics, NYC marathon/London/Boston) and that defines your career and determines how great you were - Not whether or not you win the NYC 8k in 22:24. (And there is no chance he breaks 22, not on that course, and not ever)