USATF fires back at Nick Symmonds-USATF will spend more than 50% of its budget and $15 million on elite athletes in 2015

When did it become about the money?

I thought the USATF needed to define 'official' and the problem is solved.

The link goes to a google advertisement.

rekrunner wrote:

When did it become about the money?

I thought the USATF needed to define 'official' and the problem is solved.

When Symmonds tweeted: "Tomorrow I will present proof that @USATF is stealing millions of dollars from the athletes, getting rich off the hard work of #TeamUSA"

Then blogged about it on HuffPo.

The amount of money that USATF spends on elite athletes was never the issue in question.

Nick is blowing a lot of hot air. I am sick of his act. Did USATF "steal" money from athletes? USATF should just take him to court to clarify .

I'm so sick of Nick Symmonds

Tier funding and prize money total 3.5 million. That's what goes directly to the athletes (and agents grab half of it). The other dozens of millions go to USATF officials and hired cronies.

How much does Jill Geer's husband get f4om USATF?

After this stunt, Oiselle should be quick to offer Symmonds a contract!

accountant wrote:

Tier funding and prize money total 3.5 million. That's what goes directly to the athletes (and agents grab half of it). The other dozens of millions go to USATF officials and hired cronies.

Exactly.

To say that 50% is "spent on elite athletes" is completely deceptive, since over 90% of that spending is not money in the hands of athletes, directly supporting their coaching, travel or anything like that. It goes to pointless programs and events crapping money by the boatload on USATF officials and cronies, their endless travel, hotels and per diems. A bunch of cronies flying to a resort to discuss elite athletes is not "money spent on elite athletes."

Greer should be ashamed to lie so baldly to the public and to the athletes she's supposed to be supporting.

I think Nick spoke more out of frustration and may have misspoken. He is not an attorney or PR person. That being said, I am sure if you break down the numbers USATF puts out, you could find substantial amounts they claim are for elite athletes, are actually travel costs for administrators, administrative work, and other items that do not directly benefit the elite athletes. Claiming spending money on television broadcasts as a direct elite athlete benefit is very debateable as well. Abrahamson's taking USATF at their word and only looking at their tax return is weak journalism. A more detailed analysis needs to be done. How much of the budget are administrative salaries, costs, travel, etc. for the employees, board, and committee members versus prize money and development grants? What are their facilities expenses (rent, furniture, etc.). I am sure some folks have really nice offices. I hope they aren't counting grants to grassroots clubs as elite development money. Let's open the books. If USATF really is apportioning it properly, they have nothing to fear. Let's see the audits the USOC has completed. If Nick really is way off base, they can always sue him for libel. But likely he is not.

just liars wrote:

accountant wrote:

Tier funding and prize money total 3.5 million. That's what goes directly to the athletes (and agents grab half of it). The other dozens of millions go to USATF officials and hired cronies.

Exactly.

To say that 50% is "spent on elite athletes" is completely deceptive, since over 90% of that spending is not money in the hands of athletes, directly supporting their coaching, travel or anything like that. It goes to pointless programs and events crapping money by the boatload on USATF officials and cronies, their endless travel, hotels and per diems. A bunch of cronies flying to a resort to discuss elite athletes is not "money spent on elite athletes."

Greer should be ashamed to lie so baldly to the public and to the athletes she's supposed to be supporting.

Nick lied about not having to sign in 2013, when he actually did. USATF is just using the same social media as Nick, and it is making him look stupid.

Uh, well USATF's financial statements are done by independent auditors in accordance with GAAP and are in the public domain, at least up to the end of the 2013 fiscal year. Looks like the 2014s will be available within the next month, based on the timing of previous year filings. You can get copies of the tax returns themselves directly from the IRS if you're so inclined.

Some of the questions you've asked are readily addressed by looking at the financials.

Of course, Nick isn't making any claims on his own, he's simply relying on the work of Prof. Woods, who asks some good questions. Most of those questions will be answered as soon as the 2014 financials are released. Some will have to wait for 2015.

I don't see why a portion of the TV broadcast expenses shouldn't be attributed to benefits for elite athletes. It's standard for costs to be matched with the revenues (broadcast rights fees in this case) they generate.

* Andrew Zimbalist....not Robert Woods.

Well, last time I was in the loop on it USATF paid to have the nationals televised. They make little to nothing on broadcast rights fees (so it's a net sum loss televising the meets except perhaps the Olympic Trials which may be part of the US Olympic broadcasters deal). Televising the meets does give the athletes exposure, but what that is worth is highly debatable and claiming nearly $3million spent on the broadcasts as a direct elite athlete benefit is debateable. How much is the TV exposure worth to USATF? They have their own commercials so they mush see some benefit from it. In the interest of transparency, USATF should post the USOC audits and their own detailed budget breakdown (not just they spent x amount on elite athletes). We need the details I have not seen where on their website they are available and these are seperate from the tax returns which are currently in the public domain. If the audits are online, can you provide a link or point me in the right direction?

Man Overboard wrote:

Uh, well USATF's financial statements are done by independent auditors in accordance with GAAP and are in the public domain, at least up to the end of the 2013 fiscal year. Looks like the 2014s will be available within the next month, based on the timing of previous year filings. You can get copies of the tax returns themselves directly from the IRS if you're so inclined.

Yeah, this actually means almost nothing.

Nothing stops the federation from calling some exec's trip to a conference having nothing to do with "athlete development," "athlete development." Because it is you see. The exec will be able to develop athletes better after the conference located in Hawaii in February where there's talk about something related to "development."

How about the exec skim off of revenue? Is it reported? USATF always seems to have this one, very bad, band play USATF events. I wonder how that works? Is it reported?

FWIW, It's useful to examine their non-profit tax records as well. Is USATF a 501c(3) at this point?

A few thoughts...

How many athletes are being paid and how much money per individual is paid out?

And I am assuming they are counting food and travel and "administrative costs" and CEO salaries...not true money going to the athletes. This is a business expense, not support.

What percent stake did the NHL players strike for? MLB, NFL? Travel costs are not considered in the players stake or salary cap. So let's be real.

18 million payout for playing a video game. A single event!

And USATF only pulls in 30 million annually with TV and ticket sales?

Come on. Tax returns?

+1 for everyone here who has pointed out that USATF is paying needless salaries and expenses for "programs" and calling it money spent on athletes. Spend money on things like setting up meets, advertising meets, helping athletes obtain health insurance, and cash payouts to athletes. Why is that so hard?

USATF does not need to put on conferences in Hawaii with crappy pop rock bands entertaining employees. If you're a private company that's doing well for itself, have at it. If you're a sports league that can't even find a cable station that wants to pay to televise your national championships, maybe think a little harder about your business plan.

Put the freaking sponsorship deal out to legitimate bid, let nike and adidas drive up the price as much as humanly possible, and kick more money directly to the athletes. NFL and NBA send like half of revenue directly to athletes, and USATF sends less than 10%? Come on. I don't care about Symmonds one way or another, but you can't seriously think that's not a bit ridiculous.

Marketing, broadcasting grow the sport. Investing in other activities does. Usatf covers more than track. Throwing $$ at the few elite track athletes to train does not.

I'd be fine spending more on athletes if they agreed to race more and not dodge competition. If they agree to promote the races they are running. If they agreed to not jump fences to avoid the media after races.

Nick Symmonds wants more of the pie but less of thd work.