Is Meb not sponsored by Nike anymore?

Maybe Meb's income from other sponsors exceeded his income from his Nike agreement. Just a hypothesis, but maybe Nike didn't want other sponsors on their singlet. If Meb can make $100,000/yr combined from other sponsors, maybe it is better than $100,000 from one single sponsor.

This is true. A lot of shoe companies want to be the primary sponsor on a singlet (at the exclusion of potentially more lucrative deals with non-shoe companies). If this is the case, I hope he starts a trend for other elite runners to follow (although some have already figured this out). Plus, this is already happening in the triathlon, trail running, ultra, etc. (not to forget other sports).

I think the last two post are on to something. I read the whole thread wondering when someone would finally make that point. Big shoe companies don't pay an athlete to have a their singlet worn with a bunch of other sponsors on it. Nike especially. Tri athletes do this all the time. If you can get a small contract with 4 or more different companies then it can all add up to a nice pay check. Maybe Meb will open the door for other athletes to go outside the major shoe companies for sponsors. I would love to wear a Silver Bullet singlet for Coors Light or a bright Orange Tide shirt. Make it more like Nascar.

Apple Juice wrote:

I think the last two post are on to something. I read the whole thread wondering when someone would finally make that point. Big shoe companies don't pay an athlete to have a their singlet worn with a bunch of other sponsors on it. Nike especially. Tri athletes do this all the time. If you can get a small contract with 4 or more different companies then it can all add up to a nice pay check. Maybe Meb will open the door for other athletes to go outside the major shoe companies for sponsors. I would love to wear a Silver Bullet singlet for Coors Light or a bright Orange Tide shirt. Make it more like Nascar.

A few observations:

1) Meb hawks a lot of products on his Twitter account. I imagine he's getting paid to do that. Perhaps Nike wasn't okay with that, and he could make more money representing several minor brands instead.

2) Didn't he wear the USA singlet at several previous races? Including NYCM? He is wearing Nike shorts, Nike shoes, Nike gloves...yeah, he doesn't have giant swooshes all over like at NYCM when he won, but I'll need more than a mismatched outfit to convince me he's not on the Nike payroll anymore.

+1

of course he's still wearing Nike stuff, but that's because he's got probably 1 or 2 rooms in his house stuffed with Nike gear.

He is definitaly not on their payroll, because in the photo's not 1 swoosh or Nike-text is visible. Beaverton would never allow that to happen, and a pro like Meb would certainly pay attention to his sponsor.

All runners, at some point, become depreciating assets... eventually, they're going to fall off, ride the injury train, or just lose the edge... Does Meb have some good races left in him, yes, but let's not act like he's going to run 2:06...ever.

The fact is, Nike has a stable of younger talent that's cheeper, more marketable, and have better upsides than Meb does at this point in his career. Solinski, Teg, Rupp, Flanagan, Koll, Farah, etc... the money is going to the home team, plain and simple, and to be honest, it's paying off.

I don't blame Meb for wanting "Major Marathon Winner" money, but I just don't think that anyone thinks they're race quality is damaged that much by not having him entered. Our sport is a what have you done for me lately... and it gets even more that way when you're on the wrong side of 30 and injury prone.

I'm willing to bet that unless Ryan Hall actually wins Boston, you'll start seeing him run mid level marathons and become the staple 2:12 guy that takes 3rd in L.A.

My guess is Nike made him an offer, it was less than he thinks he's worth after his career and now he's trying his hand with some new ideas...

This isn't a new topic for pro athletes... there aren't too many guys who make more money at 36 in a contract year than they did when they were 26...

giddy wrote:

Does Meb have some good races left in him, yes, but let's not act like he's going to run 2:06...ever.

The fact is, Nike has a stable of younger talent that's cheeper, more marketable, and have better upsides than Meb does at this point in his career. Solinski, Teg, Rupp, Flanagan, Koll, Farah, etc... the money is going to the home team, plain and simple

Well, nobody's made a lot of money betting against Meb on the big days over the years, and those who believed in him made plenty.

He is the only US male marathon medalist racing today.

He is the only US NYC marathon champion racing today.

He is the only US male major marathon medalist racing today.

The fact that he's not sponsored is a disgrace. I'm happy to continue to stay out of Nike products and tell people why. Loyalty means nothing to these people.

What is the "home team," by the way?

giddy wrote:

I'm willing to bet that unless Ryan Hall actually wins Boston, you'll start seeing him run mid level marathons and become the staple 2:12 guy that takes 3rd in L.A.

HAHAHA... so if he takes second or third in 2:07-2:08 again, he's gonna step back to running 2:12s the rest of his career? he's only 28, that is no longer considered old for marathon running...

And all this training by himself stuff - it's experimentation. I am willing to bet if he doesn't succeed under it, he will look for a coach or switch to some other plan. He's not that dumb. It didn't work out well at NYC half, but we have to wait until after boston to find out for sure.

who care f*** him

adult onset wrote:

Well, nobody's made a lot of money betting against Meb on the big days over the years, and those who believed in him made plenty.

He is the only US male marathon medalist racing today.

He is the only US NYC marathon champion racing today.

He is the only US male major marathon medalist racing today.

The fact that he's not sponsored is a disgrace. I'm happy to continue to stay out of Nike products and tell people why. Loyalty means nothing to these people.

What is the "home team," by the way?

You (and a few others on this thread) seem to be overlooking or misunderstanding the theory that Meb is asking for too much money. Wouldn't this be a lack of loyalty on Meb's side? Due to the reasons you listed above Nike isn't dumb enough to just let Meb walk away with no fight, but if Meb can't stay loyal to Nike by seeing his best days are behind him and accepting an incentive-based contract then that's his fault, not Nike's. Maybe you should stop supporting Meb before you stop wearing Nike products. If you stopped wearing a line of running clothing everytime an athlete got dropped you'd be running naked.

The 'home team' would be defined as athletes Nike doesn't have to have wear a USA jersey at major marathons to so they wont blend into the other Africans.

adult onset wrote:

He is the only US male major marathon medalist racing today.

Wouldn't Hall being considered a US male major marathon medalist racing today? He got 3rd at Boston in 2009.

Too bad the Asics guy is now working for Nike and Asics hasn't hired a new athlete manager, yet.

Regardless, I'm sure Nike (and every other shoe company) and Meb's brother/agent have a much different valuation of him. While Meb is still winning races, Nike is wisely investing their money in younger athletes.

"The 'home team' would be defined as athletes Nike doesn't have to have wear a USA jersey at major marathons to so they wont blend into the other Africans."

People have a different view of Meb or other African-born Americans, but the reality is that they have been in America for a really long time, they have worked really hard to be considered part of this country, they love this country probably more than most people who were born here and they have represented our country incredibly well. To me, that is all that should matter-- they deserve to be considered and respected as AMERICAN, with no asterisk or modifying phrase attached to that title.

apdesabato wrote:

"The 'home team' would be defined as athletes Nike doesn't have to have wear a USA jersey at major marathons to so they wont blend into the other Africans."

People have a different view of Meb or other African-born Americans, but the reality is that they have been in America for a really long time, they have worked really hard to be considered part of this country, they love this country probably more than most people who were born here and they have represented our country incredibly well. To me, that is all that should matter-- they deserve to be considered and respected as AMERICAN, with no asterisk or modifying phrase attached to that title.

Couldn't agree more with the last part of your statement. Our Kenyan President Obama's wife said she wasn't proud to be an American until he ran for office.. people take this country for granted.. I'm sorry but I'm from America and we are cocky, rude, and think we are better than we actually.. thats what people think.. But I'm from Texas so I'm actually like twice the american I should be

thirty-two wrote:

...but if Meb can't stay loyal to Nike by seeing his best days are behind him and accepting an incentive-based contract then that's his fault, not Nike's.

The point you're missing is that there's more to being a sponsored athlete than running fast times. Meb is highly visible in the running community, and one of the few American elites recognizable to the back of the packers who buy the most product.

Why is Joanie still collecting a Nike paycheck? Obviously her best times are behind her. Why does Dean K. make more than just about every other sponsored American runner? He never ran any good times!

It would be idiotic for Nike to drop Meb.

First, Joanie is still setting records for her age group and is still running competitively as a Master's runner. She is also the first female marathon gold medalist and arguably the greatest female distance runner ever. Joanie probably gets paid a small amount and free gear by Nike. She makes up the rest traveling to races and winning appearance fees. Let's also keep in mind she lives in Maine and is not the type of person who has extravagant needs. She is as down to earth as they come and only has to race/run when she wants to.

Second, Meb is not with Nike. Check the results at nyrr.org. The professionals have their shoe rep under the "TEAM" column. Nike has Galen and Mo. Meb's space is blank.

I agree with an above poster that anyone who says they know what happened is only guessing. For example, my guess is that Nike offered a small stipend (similar to Joanie) thinking that Meb's best days are behind him and that they don't want to overspend (even though an extra 100K or whatever is a drop in the bucket to Nike).

For Meb's sake, I hope he is able to see through this one. He's a class act all around and an absolute pleasure to be around.

willy k wrote:

HAHAHA... so if he takes second or third in 2:07-2:08 again, he's gonna step back to running 2:12s the rest of his career? he's only 28, that is no longer considered old for marathon running...

I was being sarcastic, and I'll readily admit that it was a poor analogy for backing my point.

I just think it comes down to this. If your a race director at major marathon you want to spend your money getting the best guys in the world to your race.

I'd have a hard time justifying spending 6 figures to bring in a personal best 2:09 (Meb) guy over spending the same amount and bringing in 3 or 4 younger 2:07 guys who are on the upswing.

As far as Ryan Hall, I was simply trying to say that after a while, the hope that he's going to win a major starts to reveal itself through the consistency of his running. It's obvious that he can be a top 5 guy, but he isn't going to be a #1 guy... so why pay him like one...

The "home team" that I'm referring to is the group of guys living out in Portland. It's clear Nike is dumping it's money where they believe the future is and right now, it's all in Oregon. Like I said before, It's not that I think they didn't offer Meb a contract, It just probably wasn't the one a New York marathon champ and Olympic silver medalist wants...

I don't want to use the Latrell Spreewell analogy, but at some point you have to realize that you're an aging professional athlete and that the game has changed and you don't necessarily fit into it all that well, especially when your best years are behind you. So if he found some guaranteed financial backing going a different route... so be it.

Just an opinion.

How many of you buy your gear based on Meb?

Nascar is excellent for team support, but I don't see that with track and field. You get shoes and clothes that fit.

If he wants to make a living running, then he better run faster.

Too much entitlement when someone makes more money from turning up than winning.

I had a nice satisfactory little athletic career, and never relied on some stranger to pay my way.