The sport of athletics in the US is suffering from dismal pay for elite athletes. We are strapped by one particular Oligarch who pidgeon holes meets to his undergraduate Alma Mater. This is why monopolies have been outlawed. We're stuck.
Yes, this and the fact that they don't advertise appearance fees and apparel contracts, etc.
Watch a Formula 1 race- it's individual, there is sponsorship, the announcers call the race.
People watch- on TV in the stands (and it's not like NASCAR, they aren't there to get drunk and party.
It's marketing and a decent presentation.
Someone has to try putting on a track meet in an efficient, fast moving way- it's possible!
Someone has to try to bring back the atmosphere of a 1980's/90's 10k road race- with elite athletes representing a few different nations not just 10 Kenyans and Ethiopians dominating.
Look at old pictures of track meets back in the 60's and 70's- we need to bring that back- it's marketing.
And! Pay attention to the secondary finishers. Show the 2nd, 3rd ... crossing the line. Talk about the race at these positions (again, watch F1).
Maybe have a Grand Prix in track and road racing (and give more and deeper points in the WMM's).
Points to the top 10 (or more) make that race more meaningful and the potential money that goes with a 5th, 8th ... place finish in the GP.
I mean how long have you followed the sport? There used to be pro meets in Europe at Grand Prix/Super Grand Prix level that were in bigger stadiums with even less spectators (eg. Athens) - it's the Oregon relays - it's just not a thing like Penn, Drake etc. God this is a stupid post.
I went to an Oregon dual meet with Kansas back in the 80s. It wasn't a major event at all, and the attendance at Hayward was still 6,000 or so (half). This was post Salazar/Chapa, McChesny era. Oregon stars at the time were Lorraine Moeller (hurdler then!), Kathy Hayes, and Jim Hill.
Podunk town schools that need Field Houses are not the best for training. It's better to train outside in the sun all year around. Find a school in constantly warm parts of the US. You'll be happier!
I love how runners get defensive and blame a low turn out on to an outdoor track meet on “good weather in the Eugene area”. Lol do you know how dumb that sounds? the weather is so great that not going to an outdoor event is a good option? Lol
last time I check mlb stadiums are packed every weekend regardless of weather
MLB stadiums are never packed even on great weather days.
Also track will never be mainstream popular. Get it through your aging brains Boomers.
I love how runners get defensive and blame a low turn out on to an outdoor track meet on “good weather in the Eugene area”. Lol do you know how dumb that sounds? the weather is so great that not going to an outdoor event is a good option? Lol
last time I check mlb stadiums are packed every weekend regardless of weather
MLB stadiums are never packed even on great weather days.
Also track will never be mainstream popular. Get it through your aging brains Boomers.
It's like college football- Most games get very few spectators. Sometimes they're in those obscure cable channels but we really only see the major games.
I live in Ivy League country- their games are depressing, high school get's bigger crowds.
We're expected to be the bestest. WA is the absolute worst for not having a huge media city for WCs. Hell, if we don't finish at the top we're fired. WA management must be fired for this Eugene 2022 DFL.
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