Anything TFAA can do to destroy USATF should be done. USATF will never be improved or fixed It has to be replaced, with virtually an entirely new cast of characters. These people have never been anything but disappointing failures.
Anything TFAA can do to destroy USATF should be done. USATF will never be improved or fixed It has to be replaced, with virtually an entirely new cast of characters. These people have never been anything but disappointing failures.
To A Duck:
You're right that Nike contributes a lot of the money that makes its way to athletes through sponsorships, prize money, and bonuses, and that alienating Nike is likely to produce some negative effects in the short run.
But consider the events that have led to the situation we find ourselves in:
- An all-Nike 5000m final at USAs last year, despite the presence AT THE TRACK of several non-Nike athetes who had met the time standard.
- The leaving empty of lanes at in the 800m the year before, again, while non-Nike athletes with the qualifier stood aside and watched.
- Mark Block being observed in the VIP Nike area at USAs.
- And the kicker, the deplorable and inexcusable attempt to FIX RESULTS in favor of Nike athletes (and NOP athletes in particular) at indoors this year.
The common theme in all of these events is simple. In each case, an athlete or coach associated with Nike was given not only financial preference or perks, but a COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE or an EXEMPTION FROM A FORMAL BAN. This is a major, major problem and it can only be attributed to Nike's influence in USATF. It is no surprise, then, that Nike is targeted to some degree in the current movement against USATF.
Scholars of social movements have long argued that a movement can succeed not only by achieving its overt goals, but by applying pressure that forces its adversaries to change the way they operate, even if they don't formally capitulate. In this situation, that would mean that the TFAA can succeed not only by supplanting USATF, but by showing Nike that a tremendous amount of bad publicity will result from any continued attempts to cheat or manipulate competition.
So targeting Nike is completely appropriate and can also be effective. Nike will not pull its sponsorship of USATF (though that would be a desirable outcome). What's more likely is that Nike will realize, and so will USATF, that this charade of cheating has to stop.
generally agree with you, though I don't think THAT much detente is needed w/ nike, they want to rule T&F, so they'll never totally get out of it.
yes, it would take massive balls to just walk off (or better yet, stand there and clap for the 2ppl who actually "raced") but you're exactly right, THAT is the thing that would bring national attention to the sport (and it's dysfuntion). I'm almost starting to think that usatf and their shenanigans are worse for our sport than doping. smh.
btw, thanks for pointing out that this IS the most important thread on letsrun right now, agree 100% on that.
Newly using ad-block on LRC wrote:
To A Duck:
You're right that Nike contributes a lot of the money that makes its way to athletes through sponsorships, prize money, and bonuses, and that alienating Nike is likely to produce some negative effects in the short run.
But consider the events that have led to the situation we find ourselves in:
- An all-Nike 5000m final at USAs last year, despite the presence AT THE TRACK of several non-Nike athetes who had met the time standard.
- The leaving empty of lanes at in the 800m the year before, again, while non-Nike athletes with the qualifier stood aside and watched.
- Mark Block being observed in the VIP Nike area at USAs.
- And the kicker, the deplorable and inexcusable attempt to FIX RESULTS in favor of Nike athletes (and NOP athletes in particular) at indoors this year.
The common theme in all of these events is simple. In each case, an athlete or coach associated with Nike was given not only financial preference or perks, but a COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE or an EXEMPTION FROM A FORMAL BAN. This is a major, major problem and it can only be attributed to Nike's influence in USATF. It is no surprise, then, that Nike is targeted to some degree in the current movement against USATF.
Scholars of social movements have long argued that a movement can succeed not only by achieving its overt goals, but by applying pressure that forces its adversaries to change the way they operate, even if they don't formally capitulate. In this situation, that would mean that the TFAA can succeed not only by supplanting USATF, but by showing Nike that a tremendous amount of bad publicity will result from any continued attempts to cheat or manipulate competition.
So targeting Nike is completely appropriate and can also be effective. Nike will not pull its sponsorship of USATF (though that would be a desirable outcome). What's more likely is that Nike will realize, and so will USATF, that this charade of cheating has to stop.
This./\
If you can get parents and social media luminarires to support TFAA then you can trump Nike, since they are the backbone of USA track and field, and Olympic sports in general. Parents provide 90% of the living expenses and travel funds for elites. Luminaries provide most of the free public relations, social media content, and legacy websites. Good luck.
Track & Field athletes are generally weak willed individuals who selfishly guard their own personal crumbs rather than realizing there's an entire pie. They don't have the power to strike in a non-championship year, let alone when there is a world championship or Olympics on the line.
They could perhaps be the greatest generation of athletes ever and really change the sport. But they won't.
The US forced a boycott due to communism and we still talk about it. Could you imagine the potential impact to this in the coming years? Would the USOC step in and hold a separate trials due to public outcry? Could be revolutionary.
Newly using ad-block on LRC wrote:
To A Duck:
You're right that Nike contributes a lot of the money that makes its way to athletes through sponsorships, prize money, and bonuses, and that alienating Nike is likely to produce some negative effects in the short run.
But consider the events that have led to the situation we find ourselves in:
- An all-Nike 5000m final at USAs last year, despite the presence AT THE TRACK of several non-Nike athetes who had met the time standard.
- The leaving empty of lanes at in the 800m the year before, again, while non-Nike athletes with the qualifier stood aside and watched.
- Mark Block being observed in the VIP Nike area at USAs.
- And the kicker, the deplorable and inexcusable attempt to FIX RESULTS in favor of Nike athletes (and NOP athletes in particular) at indoors this year.
The common theme in all of these events is simple. In each case, an athlete or coach associated with Nike was given not only financial preference or perks, but a COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE or an EXEMPTION FROM A FORMAL BAN. This is a major, major problem and it can only be attributed to Nike's influence in USATF. It is no surprise, then, that Nike is targeted to some degree in the current movement against USATF.
Scholars of social movements have long argued that a movement can succeed not only by achieving its overt goals, but by applying pressure that forces its adversaries to change the way they operate, even if they don't formally capitulate. In this situation, that would mean that the TFAA can succeed not only by supplanting USATF, but by showing Nike that a tremendous amount of bad publicity will result from any continued attempts to cheat or manipulate competition.
So targeting Nike is completely appropriate and can also be effective. Nike will not pull its sponsorship of USATF (though that would be a desirable outcome). What's more likely is that Nike will realize, and so will USATF, that this charade of cheating has to stop.
I don't have any problem with the elite athletes striking and "striking" out on their own at the risk of stirring up Nike.
I am not a Nike loyalist and I'd choose a better org for athletes over Nike in a heartbeat. Nike can just get used to it and adapt to changing times, to Revolution. Pre, as the first Nike athlete, was all about athletes rights, and if Nike wants to be on the ball and get ahead of this thing, they'd be smart to do some thinking tanking and idea storming around possible scenarios and what they future strategy and place with the sport may be.
All Huge corporations have periods of Legacy Think, where they gut stuck in their position. When they do that, they've completely killed their creativity. Nike's profits are current up, according to a report I read on an Aussie website, so presumably they are talking about Nike worldwide and not just Nike Oz.
I'm for the athletes first, above and beyond any company, whether it be NBCUniversal, or Nike.
Power to the People!
--Let's face it, track and field and running is one of the hardest sports out there, with the smallest chances of success and becoming a pro and making enough money to make it worth it. Most runners, once they reach college, LOSE most of their races most of the time. I'm not really a big fan of government intervention...but that was what "worked" last time, and it may be time for it to happened again.
What the TFAA and the athletes have to watch out for, is if they are successful in disbanding USATF, that whatever is created out of the ashes doesn't not eventually evolve into an old athletes, old boys, and old girls club where former athletes again take advantage of current elites.
You don't want to end up in a "meet the new boss, same as the old boss situation."
My gut tells me the current elites don't have the balls to see this through as far as they would need to to blow up USATF.
They'll like take the least risky way out and settle for some nominal, almost cosmetic changes.
futbol fanatic wrote:
generally agree with you, though I don't think THAT much detente is needed w/ nike, they want to rule T&F, so they'll never totally get out of it.
yes, it would take massive balls to just walk off (or better yet, stand there and clap for the 2ppl who actually "raced") but you're exactly right, THAT is the thing that would bring national attention to the sport (and it's dysfuntion). I'm almost starting to think that usatf and their shenanigans are worse for our sport than doping. smh.
btw, thanks for pointing out that this IS the most important thread on letsrun right now, agree 100% on that.
It's not the point that they risk Nike getting out of it.
The point is that they do not create new bad blood that could effect an athlete / other athletes and lead to some silent grudge or black list against certain athletes.
The sport, as it is, today, is really shitty, I believe the athletes that say the majority of athletes are funded by family money...and self sacrifice, living cheap etc.
THAT totally sucks for a freaking gene pool that "we" expect out future Olympic track star heroes to come out of.
Everyday Americans, who LOVE the Olympics probably just assume that these athletes...wearing nice gear at the Olympics, are ALL getting paid well and doing well -- when the opposite is the truth.
Re: passed "transgressions" and "accusations" of Nike coaches doing "unethical" things, conspiracies etc. Yes, there have been unfortunate situations and decisions.
Those aggrieved can get fired up and see more conspiracy etc. than there have been.
--I agree with Gary Hill, who probably had the best ear to the ground and inside sources of anyone -- that more is made of things like Salazar advocating or his athlete than should be.
(*As I predicted the "enhanced video evidence" was exactly that, enhanced, blown up, closer shots of GG running into Hasay. --What is ironic, was the absolutely zero tolerance of infractions at Worlds in Poland. If GG had done that shit in Poland, she would have been DQ in a heart beat, end of story. Perspective, people, perspective.)
IF the athletes get into pissing match about redress for past grievances and create drama -- that could end poorly. I don't think their needs to be a "truth and reconcilition" type scenario -- the TFAA just needs to get clear on exactly what solution oriented changes they want. TFAA should be completely focused on the solution oriented changes they want. Period.
I'm really curious as to whether...with the current climate that USA CEO's etc., ("C" level executives) pay is today, that USATF hasn't and isn't over paying it's CEO and board members. Yes, an argument can be made that in order to attract top management talent you have to pay competitively...but how much work are these execs and board members really doing on a day to day basis, and how much is done primarily on the backs of managers and staff?
I mean, what's the outlay? What's the income, operating cost, and of income/profits, what percentage of money is going back to sustaining and developing athletes for future Olympics etc.??? It's gotta be a situation that could be significantly improved.
I don't think there are any observers out there with no bias or agenda, who think that USATF is doing a great job of supporting athletes, promoting the sport, and growing the sport.
This situation is rife for rebellion and reform.
Sadly, there are a ton of athletes that are not members of TFAA, who should join, post haste, and if not, should be ashamed of themselves and their selfishness.
This is a hard freaking sport to make it in, and all the athletes should stand together.
United they stand, divided they fall.
The Donger wrote:
Track & Field athletes are generally weak willed individuals who selfishly guard their own personal crumbs rather than realizing there's an entire pie. They don't have the power to strike in a non-championship year, let alone when there is a world championship or Olympics on the line.
They could perhaps be the greatest generation of athletes ever and really change the sport. But they won't.
The US forced a boycott due to communism and we still talk about it. Could you imagine the potential impact to this in the coming years? Would the USOC step in and hold a separate trials due to public outcry? Could be revolutionary.
Agree, I don't think they have the balls.
The older athletes, like Lauren Fleshman etc., can mouth off all they want, they have little career left.
The younger athletes would have to be seized by some revolutionary change the world spirit -- as opposed to getting their crumbs.
And, likely, the Nike team athletes will be directed to stay out of it.
I'm really shocked at how many athletes are NOT listed as members of the TFAA. It's kind of embarrassing, really.
Stand together, where's their sense of "Team" If they make a USA Team, those other athletes that are members of the USATF are going to be their team members.
TFAA members need to start working the phone recruiting those who haven't signed on yet. No emails or texts, pick up the phone and use the personal touch with athletes that are in their circle of influence.
A Duck wrote:
I'm really curious as to whether... USATF hasn't and isn't over paying it's CEO and board members. Yes, an argument can be made that in order to attract top management talent you have to pay competitively...but how much work are these execs and board members really doing on a day to day basis, and how much is done primarily on the backs of managers and staff?
Thank you for opening that door. Earlier this weekend I was flipping channels and found Max, decked out in his Rev Racing attire, doing interviews for his NASCAR team and the Drive for Diversity program.
Someone please tell us why T&F in the US needs a supposed leader that splits time with auto racing?
Was he in Daytona during the Indoor Nationals meet? Where will he be June 26-29? Sacramento or at the NASCAR race in Kentucky?
Our sport needs full time leadership, not a guy with too many hobbies.
Additionally, Why are the local USATF Associations not banding together for change? Are they only interested in helping the youth today and not tomorrow?