Meb Signs With Skechers

How long has ne been running in these new shoes?

Seems they don't agree with him since had to withdraw from a race over the weekend with an injury

hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha....

breathe.... breathe....

hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha.....

Whew, Meb running for Sketchers... alright, well, I guess you can't knock a guy for getting paid, but this is downright comical.

Aging athletes always forget that they are depreciating assets. Meb can only be competitive on the world stage in one event and only if that event is on a course that suits him...

His silver medal, NYC victory, and even his Boston performances are all on courses that where running 2:09 can give you a chance to win... It's pretty clear why he doesn't run London, Berlin, or Chicago... because he'd get killed and why would you risk your big time billing for winning NYC and a Olympic medal from 8 years ago to be a 10th place also ran...

Money is behind all of these decisions, and to be honest, who cares, you have to make a living somehow. The only thing that irks me is Meb acting like he's being crapped on by the race and shoe world... no offense, but he's pretty much a one dimensional runner at this point who's good for a 2:09 or a 1:02...

Many 2:05 or 2:04 guys would kill to have an Olympic medal or WMM victory. By the way, Meb is a genius for sticking to courses that suit him and capitalizing. Just ask Paula Radcliff about whether she would trade her world record for an Olympic Medal. Meb has the resume that is one of the most decorated in US history today. You can't argue that!

I am sure he was getting the same or better appearance money to show up to London vs Boston. Go for a victory in Boston or try to run 2:05 in London? Isn't that why Hall has chased the victory in Boston vs an American Record in London. You wouldn't have a clue though because you've never been in their shoes.

I guarantee you I will never be in Meb's Sketchers shoes. Not going to happen.

But what if they look really cool, are awesome, and only cost $49.99?

Smart Cat wrote:

You wouldn't have a clue though because you've never been in their shoes.

I don't train in Sketchers, so I wouldn't know...

Smart Cat wrote:

Just ask Paula Radcliff about whether she would trade her world record for an Olympic Medal.

I am pretty sure she wouldn't. In 50 years, no one would remember who won the Olympic Marathon but her 2:15h will still stand.

Meb's new kickeroos...

http://www.skechers.com/style/52087/pro-t-r/wbkr

The have a shock absorbing Resalyte™ midsole and the SmartShoe™ with Mid-Foot Strike guides your body into a position that transforms impact into elastic (reusable) energy. Kinetic Return System™ combines the strength and flexibility of DuPont Hytrel™ material with the efficiency of an elliptical shape to deflect and convert impact forces into forward motion.

Sounds advanced. No wonder he left Nike.

Supercoug wrote:

No one can question whether he's a true American anymore; Greed is trumping morals and ethics here

Are you suggesting it is immoral and unethical to sign a sponsorship contract with a company that makes bad running shoes? Tell me what your reasoning is please.

Skechers was created by Robert Greenberg, the creator of L.A. Gear (the company that ripped off Reebok's Womens aerobic shoes). I saw a pair of Skecher running shoes in a Company Store, and at $100, they look and feel worse than a $49.99 pair of Avias.

I don't know why everybody is hating on Meb's decision. I am an elementary PE teacher and all of the fastest guys in my gym class are wearing Skechers.

If you're gonna rip on shoe companies that steal ideas, I hope you never buy Nike gear because they ripped off Onitsuka for years.

Also, Meb is making money, duh. I don't follow his twitter because it's obviously just an advertising venue. I totally support him as an athlete, but I know he's got deals with Sony, UCAN, and now sketchers. Making money, no more, no less. Whoever he runs for, I'm behind him 100% when he races.

asdfasdf wrote:

If you're gonna rip on shoe companies that steal ideas, I hope you never buy Nike gear because they ripped off Onitsuka for years.

And Onitsuka began by ripping off adidas.

I don't think anyone gives a shit that Sketchers is trying a new revenue stream by busting into the running market...

It's a pretty saturated market when it comes to $100 running shoes though... I mean, you pretty much already have too many choices from established running companies. Why sketchers thinks they can somehow come in and put a dent in it... who knows, but they feel with a glowing endorsement from Meb, they can break into the market.

This is exactly why it's so comical and should be made fun of. I'll go ahead and call it selling out. If you're putting your name on just about anything strictly so that you get your check... well, I don't know what else to call it... and you're going to have a hard time convincing me that Meb really feels that Sketchers has a product that's capable of withstanding the demands of his training and racing at a level that's comparable to the big guys...

Of course, we'll never know the deal he has with Sketchers... but can you see Meb racing into Tavern on the green with a Sketchers singlet (probably a de-badged Nike singlet) and a pair of flats falling apart with that big trusty "S" on the side... it just makes me laugh.

Hopefully we'll see some silly commercial with Meb in it, winning some fake road race, and in the stands, just before the commercial ends, they show a picture of Alan Webb nodding his head.

Will Sketchers try to sell in specialty stores?

This will probably introduce a lot of kids to Meb and running.

Skechers should change their name if they want any success in the running shoe market. Every time a person over 15 hears their name, they think low-budget Vans/Heelie/Shape up knockoff.

Reminds me of Kara Goucher signing to endorse Amway of all things.

asdfasdf wrote:

If you're gonna rip on shoe companies that steal ideas, I hope you never buy Nike gear because they ripped off Onitsuka for years.

Also, Meb is making money, duh. I don't follow his twitter because it's obviously just an advertising venue. I totally support him as an athlete, but I know he's got deals with Sony, UCAN, and now sketchers. Making money, no more, no less. Whoever he runs for, I'm behind him 100% when he races.

There were many differences between early Nikes & Tigers. Nikes had Spenco Insoles while Tigers had suede insoles. The Tiger Boston had a bit thicker midsole than the Marathon, but not as thick as the Nike Finland Blue/Kenya Red. Nike used Gum Rubber in Outsoles more often than Tiger. The Track Spikes Nike America(na) and Pre-Montreal were nothing like the Tiger Spartan-B. I wore all these shoes, purchasing the Nikes at the Home Office in the Mid 1970's. Check your facts Dumd-a**