Fired and missed. GST is not perfect, but Kingston was better and more interesting than the second-tier DL meets, and is a better attempt at expanding the reach of track than goofing around with long jump rules, etc. The DL has been unable to generate much interest in the US outside of Pre, so it should be glad to see someone trying to build the audience for track in the US with a more US-centric event.
They're trying to grow the sport in the USA. I think:
1. Have them in a smaller stadium- 10,000-20,000- and fill up the stadium- give away tickets. Get people there however they could to fill the stadium nad make it look good.
2. Market the HELL out of it- go to local schools for meets during the school year. Contact every track and cross country coach in the area nad have them mobilize their teams and the parents to attend.
3. I hate this but- have thing going on- gimmicky things to keep them entertained. I was at a minor league baseball game years ago. They had t-shirt give aways, music, games and events in between innings. It was like the game was an afterthought. But the stadium was full.
That generates interest and looks good on TV.
Whats the point with anything of this if you have to reduce the sport itself to an afterthought? Why would anyone who is a fan of the sport want this?
You know what looks good on tv? Full stadiums of people that care about the sport. Americans trading off world lead in shot put, americans winning the womens 100, Mondo setting a new WR, the american olympic champion running the 1500. Thats the DL.
They're trying to grow the sport in the USA. I think:
1. Have them in a smaller stadium- 10,000-20,000- and fill up the stadium- give away tickets. Get people there however they could to fill the stadium nad make it look good.
2. Market the HELL out of it- go to local schools for meets during the school year. Contact every track and cross country coach in the area nad have them mobilize their teams and the parents to attend.
3. I hate this but- have thing going on- gimmicky things to keep them entertained. I was at a minor league baseball game years ago. They had t-shirt give aways, music, games and events in between innings. It was like the game was an afterthought. But the stadium was full.
That generates interest and looks good on TV.
Whats the point with anything of this if you have to reduce the sport itself to an afterthought? Why would anyone who is a fan of the sport want this?
You know what looks good on tv? Full stadiums of people that care about the sport. Americans trading off world lead in shot put, americans winning the womens 100, Mondo setting a new WR, the american olympic champion running the 1500. Thats the DL.
Anyone can give away t-shirts.
Americans on here seem to genuinely believe that it's more interesting and a more compelling story to watch runners jog slow times in events they don't normally compete in, than for example seeing a young prodigy like Mahuchikh, from war torn Ukraine, break the 37 year old high jump world record in front of a large Diamond League crowd in Paris. They cannot comprehend that track and field is actually popular here, without needing a bunch of gimmicks.
Why would Europeans rather tune in to watch someone like Sydney, a grumpy Jesus freak who never races, more than Femke, who's always happy and cheerful and competes a lot?
What made the NFL, MLB, NBA such gigantic $Billion leagues was Pete Rozelle of the L.A. Rams mandating 50%-50% revenue split at the box office between the L.A. Rams players and Hollywood TV. Pete, a native of Compton would later become Commissioner of the NFL at age 33.
Given his past, you certainly can't say the following is an unbiased take. And he didn't even wait for the 2nd and 3rd days of action to take place, but it's rare to see this much venom in public. It's clear he still hates MJ for asking for so much money as an athlete. The guy doesn't even work in track anymore but he came out with spears:
This guy seems like a major douchebag. I may boycott Diamond League viewing if they keep acting so petty. I thought they would have the self esteem to be above all this crap.
What made the NFL, MLB, NBA such gigantic $Billion leagues was Pete Rozelle of the L.A. Rams mandating 50%-50% revenue split at the box office between the L.A. Rams players and Hollywood TV. Pete, a native of Compton would later become Commissioner of the NFL at age 33.
only works if you have billions to work with. in t&f we can't even get a few million. mj isnt even on the radar screen with so few dollars to throw about.
Given his past, you certainly can't say the following is an unbiased take. And he didn't even wait for the 2nd and 3rd days of action to take place, but it's rare to see this much venom in public. It's clear he still hates MJ for asking for so much money as an athlete. The guy doesn't even work in track anymore but he came out with spears:
Damn, this guy is really bitter and clearly despises Michael Johnson. Sounds like he’s been waiting a really long time to purge.
”After Johnson’s run, I left the stands, threw up behind the grandstand, and flew home the next day.” johnson’s great time upset him that much he actually threw up? Good grief.
”After Atlanta, the bargaining began. Johnson demanded astronomical appearance fees — sums previously reserved only for legends like Carl Lewis, who won his fourth long jump gold in 1996. In every negotiation with his agent, Bradley Hunt, it became clear: Johnson wouldn’t accept anything less than Lewis.”
What did he expect? Johnson had done something at the Olympics that no one else had ever done. Why wouldn’t he ask for a lot more money? Why is the author taking it so personally?