Why is Parker Valby still unsigned ?

Jake riley when he signed with ON in June of 2020 his contract runs through the end of 2024. Contracts can be written to start and finish at any point on the calendar.

Parents get greedy; they are not objective. They see the initial contract and want more rather than look long term.

my guess

someone who has to wait out a date to end the nike right of first refusal

appears to be waiting out the date

Agreed. I would also worry that a Nike deal comes with significant strings and demands attached. They would likely insist that she be in a Nike training group and she probably doesn't want to relocate to Eugene or Portland. The Mike Smith signing might make Nike more attractive since his group would presumably be Flagstaff based. She might also want the ability to spend winters in a warm weather climate instead of contending with cold rain and snow.

In any event, she will be fine financially with or without running.

Valby had a lot of success with Will Palmer who did a great job of managing her training in light of the vexing injury issues she has had in the past. So, the big issue for Valby's future is going to be finding a coach who is going to be a good transition and isn't just going to play sink or swim by throwing Valby into a high mileage program. The default setting for pro coaches is to push their athletes right up to the line to try to get medals and PRs. That just isn't going to be an option for Valby as she will need to very carefully manage her training to make sure she is ready for a heavier training load. She has a lot more to think about in her transition to a pro athlete than most other distance runners. And sponsors are very aware of her training limitations and injury issues. They are not going to be comfortable with a huge multi year deal on an athlete who can't run more than 3-4 days a week. Valby is infinitely marketable. But she is only marketable when she is healthy and competitive.

I would think Mr. Valby has told her not to go and do anything rash until she's signed a deal. I imagine Parker's also smart enough to also know this on her own ("I know, Dad!") and isn't going skydiving or joining a flag football league anytime soon. Presuming she isn't just resting totally (which she's said was her plan after the Olympics), she isn't going to do anything beyond regular base training before she finally signs.

What’s the problem?

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Perhaps she should sign for Sara Lee?

Cheesecake is popular

Just a note... Riley was at the time a veteran runner who had competed professionally for several years and could demand differing terms. Valby being out of college probably won't have the leverage to dictate start/end dates like this.

Parker Valby has such appeal. I really hope Will Palmer didn’t get involved. Palmer just had his second athlete popped for EPO

This is why right of first refusal is such a PITA. Contracts are never just a single number, so you can't compare apples to apples. Unless a competing brand just blows Nike out of the water, they're risking litigation. Happened to Boris Berian in 2016 and Liverpool FC in 2020.

Good God, why would it possibly matter to anyone who isn't her?

Fans of the sport care and they should. It’s concerning she can’t sign a contract. If this was football it would be huge news. You should be happy people care

that being said her coach has two athletes busted for EPO. That’s not a good look for Valby now

Accusing her coach of doping athletes and insinuating that she's doping too isn't going to get her to sign with you either, loser.