BREAKING: Symmonds off World team

Yawn.

If USATF's $500M contract for 23 years was with Brooks instead of Nike, Symmonds wouldn't have raised a stink. His issue isn't with USATF, but with Nike. And promoting himself since he's not in shape to do that by actually racing well and winning a medal. Even Brooks said that they would be willing to grant Nick the concessions to wear the Nike things. This is just a big, contrived publicity stunt on Symmond's part.

His shtick of selective outrage is getting old.

Glad he's not on the team if he's so self-absorbed that he can't set aside petty matters like this to represent his country.

Good riddance, Nick.

ContractLawyer wrote:

He should have handwritten on the bottom of the form: "The term "Official" as used herein is limited to scheduled press conferences and events within the stadium." He then should have initialed this statement and signed the form.

If USATF objected to his insertion, it may have started a dialogue on what other events they considered "official". He could then have added these events to the definition.

If USATF did not object, he could have worn Brooks outside of the stadium and press conferences, and if anyone complained, he could have shown them a copy of his contract.

USATF did object. According to news reports they told him to sign it "as is."

What nobody here seems to grasp is that the money for his plane ticket, his hotel room, his food, all the support staff, etc. is coming from USATF who got that money from the sponsorship deal with Nike.

Essentially Nike is paying for his trip, so if Nick doesn't like it he should just stay home.

Wrong. This has been discussed several time already.

USATF just released the following statement:

Statement from USATF regarding Nick Symmonds

Please find a link to USATF's announcement of our Team USA roster for the 2015 IAAF World Championships in Beijing:

LINK HERE

As stakeholders in the sport, you likely have seen news coverage or social media related to Nick Symmonds declining to sign the Statement of Conditions. USATF has been in contact with Nick and his representatives for more than a week, working collaboratively to resolve the issue. In the end, he chose not to sign.

Below, please find our public statement as it relates to this matter.

Statement from USATF regarding Nick Symmonds. Attribution to Chief Public Affairs Officer Jill Geer:

We respect Nick's decision not to represent the United States at the IAAF World Championships.

The Statement of Conditions is part of USATF's governance documents, and its requirements are common in professional, Olympic and National Team sports, both domestically and internationally. It has been in place for years, and athletes and agents are familiar with the provisions of the document, which include requirements pertaining to athlete conduct as goodwill ambassadors for the United States, proper handling of the American flag, wearing the designated Team uniform at official Team functions, attendance at official Team practices, meetings and other events, commitment to train and report fit to compete, and following doping rules.

The only restriction USATF places on athletes' apparel or appearance at any time is when they represent the United States in National Team competitions, award ceremonies, official Team press conferences, and other official Team functions tied to these National Team events. USATF places no restrictions on athlete footwear, eyewear or watches. As part of USATF's bylaws, the Statement of Conditions must be signed by all athletes who compete for Team USA, and it cannot be unilaterally changed or waived by any USATF officer.

USATF has been in active and regular discussions with athlete leadership for more than a year about the definition, benefits and obligations of professional athletes in the sport. Our dialog with Nick and his representatives over the last week has added to the discussion.

USATF annually invests more than 50 percent of our total revenue directly in athlete support, and that amount is growing. As we continue to increase our financial investment in athletes, we appreciate the input and collaboration of athlete leaders and advocates on better defining what it means to be a professional track and field athlete in the United States. We look forward to continuing to expand our programs for athletes, and we hope to see Nick on future National Teams.

I'm Just Sayin' wrote:

What nobody here seems to grasp is that the money for his plane ticket, his hotel room, his food, all the support staff, etc. is coming from USATF who got that money from the sponsorship deal with Nike.

Essentially Nike is paying for his trip, so if Nick doesn't like it he should just stay home.

Well, first of all I feel bad for every athlete going to the world championships. It's in China. It's in Beijing. What worse place could there be? Running there is like chewing on sandpaper while smoking a cigarette through your nose.

Secondly, agreed. Nike should just be the USATF. The USATF is pointless. If Nike is paying for the trip then what is the USATF doing? Nothing. The USATF needs multiple sponsorships be to be a legitimate organization. It needs to represents the athletes. But the best way for it to do that would be to disband.

And with all the global sponsorship non-sense Nike has made in possible for all the wonderfully gifted Kenyans to soak up all the medals in everything 800 m and up. I support Nick 100%. For the betterment of the sport Americans should know by now that 5k and up is a pointless affair at WC/OG. Nike surely isn't paying American athletes to go and medal. They just need to cover their bases domestically since they are sponsoring every potential Olympic medalist in the Rift Valley.

I'm Just Sayin' wrote:

What nobody here seems to grasp is that the money for his plane ticket, his hotel room, his food, all the support staff, etc. is coming from USATF who got that money from the sponsorship deal with Nike.

Essentially Nike is paying for his trip, so if Nick doesn't like it he should just stay home.

Are you using the "if I tell a lie enough times, it becomes a truth" line of argument?

Hey Nick I'll take your USA gear

I like how they threw shoes and eyewear in there just to make it look like they're making concessions -- as if these items were up for debate. You can still wear your Garmin to work out.

Again, they do not define "official Team functions."

They do not comment on the memo sent to athletes not to even pack non-Nike gear.

I'm tired of them trotting out this 50% figure. View Max Siegel's letter in response to this controversy here:

He writes: "Included in [the spending of more than 14.6 million in athlete support] is $2.95 million on broadcasting and webcasting costs for the USATF Championship Series."

In these figures, they include TV and web streams as part of this "athlete investment!" This is laughable.

Imagine the NFL claiming their TV rights/broadcasting efforts were part of "athlete investment." Absurd on so many levels.

In fact, it cuts right to the logic embedded in USATF's bureaucracy. Them simply providing meets, broadcasting, and national teams is, in their view, a favor to athletes and -- in fact -- part of their compensation.

Thus, from their logic, to challenge USATF on any ground is seen as ungrateful and, further, illogical and against the self interest of athletes. USATF existing as a governing body alone is a favor to athletes in their view.

I'm Just Sayin' wrote:

What nobody here seems to grasp is that the money for his plane ticket, his hotel room, his food, all the support staff, etc. is coming from USATF who got that money from the sponsorship deal with Nike.

Essentially Nike is paying for his trip, so if Nick doesn't like it he should just stay home.

As mentioned several times before, the LOC in Beijing is required to pay for airfare, hotel and food for the athletes. USATF pays for their staffers and coaches, but Nick's coaches are paying their own way. So really, Nike would not have been paying for Nick's trip...

The USATF statement seems quite fair. Nick's statements did, as well, until recently. They have devolved a bit. Until then and this USATF statement, I was firmly on his side. Now I am confused about that and a few other things. How much does it benefit a sponsor to have an athlete wear their garb at invisible events like an athlete getting coffee? I supposed selfies and tweets and the like are the fear, but then the new USATF proclamation seems to be clearer and could be carried about to show anyone who starts bullying an athlete and an unofficial event. But then, if the new USATF statement is sincere, what sense does it make to ask an athlete to leave all other items at home? Not much. Seems like both sides are being disingenuous at this point.

NJ Possible wrote:

joho wrote:

In Wejo's post he mentions that Nick did talk to Max on the phone. Twitter has nothing to do with it.

I missed that, thanks. But even if they did speak, Nick's use of social media has been a barrage of criticism and press aimed at making USATF look bad (which they deserve to some degree of course). If you're truly interested in running, you come to the conversation and figure out what can be done. That's why I say he's more interested in the press than he is competing. I'm simply not a fan anymore.

Social media allows a single athlete bring attention to what many will see as a wrong by a large institution. Using social media to sway the public certainly is not a new technique though I don't think USATF is used to it. Nick is trying to implement change in the sport and make T&F a better sport by putting the athlete in greater control of their branding and marketing. I support him in this as I would like to see the sport grow.

I absolutely realize that It is quite easy to get 'Nick fatigue' as he always seems to be on the pulpit about something. I quit following him on Twitter several months ago because of this. (same with Kara G). I do hope he manages to win this battle with USATF because I dislike them as a governing body of our sport and someone needs to force their hand and keep attention on issues like these. As of now, Nick is one of the few relevant athletes that is willing to do so.

Ohdamn wrote:

Just not right. Hope he has his day in court.

If you don't go along with the Big Money Establishment, they will do their best to "Trump " you.

jjjjjjj wrote:

So, it's okay to compete against women if you have testes, but not if you wear Brooks out to coffee.

I LOL'ed.

it clearly states a few examples of when athletes are expected to wear the USA/Nike uniform.

It could have easily said "athletes may wear whatever brand they wish in their hotel, in the hot tub, in the hotel gym...."

It does not state any time where non-Nike gear is ok and approved.

It just says, you must wear it at these times... and given the "don't bring any non-Nike gear" letter that Nick shared, it is clear they don't have any specific times they think non Nike gear is ok.

I gotta give Nick credit. When I saw the two page spread w huge pics in the NYT this weekend, I applaud him for raising awareness.

Can't blame the other athletes. When your young and have no name recognition, you can't do this. You're throwing your career away. Nice in theory, hard in practice.

Everyone gets grumpy at the Gouchers and Fleshmens and Symmonds calling out Nike et all when they are at the end of their careers, but thats really the only time you can take a risk to do this.

Some kid with no world medals to their name... who cares if they don't sign the contract. NYT sure wouldn't.

I don't wear Brooks, but I might go pick up a shirt or something just to support them.

runner_CO wrote:

We respect Nick's decision not to represent the United States at the IAAF World Championships.

WHAT?

His decision was not to sign a contract that made no sense.

How is a bigger deal not being made out of this clause?

"B. I will not intentionally or voluntarily undertake any action that desecrates or disrespects the American Flag."

First, these athletes should be able to disrespect the American flag if they wish - even if they're representing the US on the track. Just because they're running for their country doesn't mean that they shouldn't be able to criticize it. In fact, that sort of criticism can be the most poignant. (see: 1968 Olympics black power salute at the 200m medal ceremony)

Second, this seems more than a little hypocritical given USATF's affinity for draping athletes' sweaty bodies with flags that almost always end up dragging on the ground.

+1!

Very telling indeed. USATF is basically saying that by doing the administrative work expected of them they are compensating the athletes.

Imagine a school district telling the teachers part of their compensation is providing a classroom to teach in, books for the kids, etc.

It's not even laughable, it's just plain absurd.

Washington Post ran the story this morning:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2015/08/10/usatf-drops-two-time-olympian-nick-symmonds-over-sponsorship-salary-spat/

ESPN followed up yesterday:

espn.go.com/olympics/trackandfield/story/_/id/13407856/runner-nick-symmonds-miss-15-world-championships-clothing-contract-language

New York Times covered it two days ago:

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/08/sports/olympics/dispute-over-uniforms-may-keep-nick-symmonds-from-the-worlds.html?_r=0