It's not quite as bad as that. It's just that tracksmith see value in Parsons as a content creator / influencer rather than an as a athlete (or at least not exclusively so).
No doubt the content that follows will be incredibly self indulgent, but it's basically just Tracksmith saying (and Parsons accepting) that his athletic accomplishments alone are not worth paying for. But that if he just makes his entire life a Tracksmith advert they will continue to find his athletic pursuits.
Potentially a bit of a comedown for someone who clearly rates their own ability highly, but he's gonna get another chunk of time to play at pro running so he's probably happy enough with it.
Sure it is. His times are not competitive on the world stage. Not even close.
That's like saying all the NBA players that can't make a FIFA team aren't world class. Dude has a highest world rank of 64. I can't stand the guy, but come one you can't be that insecure.
Here's a question, maybe someone knows. I think Tracksmith is ~$20M topline revenue company. They have PE behind them. Estimated ~85-90 employees. How can Tracksmith possibly afford much more than $10 for a pro runner? I'm not including apparel, that's a sunk cost. I love the brand and the maket but they're now 11 years old, will Tracksmith make it bigger?
Sure it is. His times are not competitive on the world stage. Not even close.
That's like saying all the NBA players that can't make a FIFA team aren't world class. Dude has a highest world rank of 64. I can't stand the guy, but come one you can't be that insecure.
This is not the NBA and being the 64th best 5k(?) runner for a moment won’t make you anything but (maybe) a hometown hero. Good thing he could claim German citizenship.
I suppose if guys like Kofuzi can make an internet living off of running, Parsoni should be able to as well but, in no uncertain terms, that’s just what he’s doing.
Misses the final, and it won't be close. This is more about getting the (shrinking) TME demographic sliver for collab drops for a couple years. TS doesn't mind that the hare won't be seen on TV because they don't expect SP to be on TV. Unless he tries for that 5th Ave Mile midway prime again.
Two Tracksmith shoes, either almost as good as Brooks. No spikes so he can race in whatever.
He is essentially sub elite. Absolutely zero money there. It seems that this is all just about him making a fuss over himself on the Internet. Jesus Christ, where is the integrity nowadays?
He's made more world finals than Cooper Teare. Most runners nobody has any issue referring to as pros are far less accomplished than Sam. Say what you want about his online persona, but he's a perfectly decent runner.
He is essentially sub elite. Absolutely zero money there. It seems that this is all just about him making a fuss over himself on the Internet. Jesus Christ, where is the integrity nowadays?
He's made more world finals than Cooper Teare. Most runners nobody has any issue referring to as pros are far less accomplished than Sam. Say what you want about his online persona, but he's a perfectly decent runner.
Don’t be silly, Cooper is at a much higher level. Sam is not a pro runner….more of an “Influencer”. The thing is, most of the guys that have been slaying him for years finally moved on, realizing THEY weren’t going to be competitive with the guys at the top.
Here's a question, maybe someone knows. I think Tracksmith is ~$20M topline revenue company. They have PE behind them. Estimated ~85-90 employees. How can Tracksmith possibly afford much more than $10 for a pro runner? I'm not including apparel, that's a sunk cost. I love the brand and the maket but they're now 11 years old, will Tracksmith make it bigger?
Depends on what their cost of production is. If it's like $11 for production and shipping and they're selling them direct to consumer (which seems to be 90% of their sales) and they're selling them at $75 a pop, then they're potentially profitable, though not a great return. Assume $4 million real estate costs, another $7 million in staff costs, $2 million in advertising costs and $3 million in merchandise costs, it's a $4 million profit.
This post was edited 27 seconds after it was posted.
He's made more world finals than Cooper Teare. Most runners nobody has any issue referring to as pros are far less accomplished than Sam. Say what you want about his online persona, but he's a perfectly decent runner.
Don’t be silly, Cooper is at a much higher level. Sam is not a pro runner….more of an “Influencer”. The thing is, most of the guys that have been slaying him for years finally moved on, realizing THEY weren’t going to be competitive with the guys at the top.
Teare just didn't have a technical family loophole to abandon the country where he was born and developed athletically. If Parsons were competing as an American, he would be lucky just to finish top 10 at USAs. If he isn't demonstrably better than his own TME teammate Hunter then he's certainly not actually better or more accomplished than Teare.
Don’t be silly, Cooper is at a much higher level. Sam is not a pro runner….more of an “Influencer”. The thing is, most of the guys that have been slaying him for years finally moved on, realizing THEY weren’t going to be competitive with the guys at the top.
Teare just didn't have a technical family loophole to abandon the country where he was born and developed athletically. If Parsons were competing as an American, he would be lucky just to finish top 10 at USAs. If he isn't demonstrably better than his own TME teammate Hunter then he's certainly not actually better or more accomplished than Teare.
Parsons is just absolute cringe. Probably the most unlikable pro runner on the racing scene today.
12th today at the World Indoor 3000m Finals. Not the legs or result I had hoped was in store for me today. Proud to have gotten the opportunity to run on the world stage again.
I assume he will now try to get into road racing? Or one more try for German Championship for the 5k?
I wanted to give everything here for Germany. I wish I could have done more, but that was all,” said the third-placed athlete at the German Indoor Championships. Nevertheless, he was able to take positives from the past races with two international starts: “I had thought that my career might be over after the indoor season. But I'm not finished yet! I've been given another chance and can carry on until Tokyo. That makes me happy. Now I have two or three months to get even stronger.” Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
Parson's tactics confuse me. Seems to be the same every year. Lead a global race early, not to really inject pace or do anything gutsy, but just to be up front burning unnecessary energy when the camera is on. Real racing starts and fall back to back of pack.
Parson's tactics confuse me. Seems to be the same every year. Lead a global race early, not to really inject pace or do anything gutsy, but just to be up front burning unnecessary energy when the camera is on. Real racing starts and fall back to back of pack.
I ,for one, am happy he’s doing it all for Germany.
Parsons has run 13:12 - obviously he’s not a medal contender or anything but he’s still pretty good? I don’t understand the sentiment on this thread, am I missing something?