I feel one of the reasons that runners like Hiltz and others remain unsponsored is they think they are worth much more than anyone is offering
This, and let's be real are any of these pros really "worth" their sponsorship. The whole idea behind advertising/sponsoring something is that your will get a return on your investment. How many people are watching Nikki run a race or any other mid tier pro for that matter and saying to themselves "Man, i gotta get me some XYZ brand cause they just ran awesome in it"
Well first off, Hiltz isn't unsponsored now. They are sponsored by Lululemon.
Second: are you a guy? Bc this reads as a guy who doesnt know anything and talks like he does. Last year when Hiltz ran USAs in a lavendar lulu kit that had featured Lululemon signature split shorts, the color specifically and the style of shorts generally sold out. Like. Immediately. The split shorts are still hard to find.
Quite literally people were saying, "omg, what style/color is your kit? I need it?"
Hiltz is actually a really good brand ambassador. Just bc YOU don't wear LLL doesn't mean THEY aren't a great fit for the brand. It's a you problem.
Hiltz has not PR'd in the 1500m since 2019 and was slower in 2022 (4:04) than 2021 (4:02) so performance trend would be declining. Hiltz would also not currently have a qualifier for 2024 Paris as it is 4:02.50 so would have to return to 2019 form if competing in Women's races. There is a reason for Lululemon sponsorship. Hopefully turns it around this season, let's see the fitness this indoor season. Has Hiltz mentioned moving up in distance?
2019, 4:01.52
2021, 4:02.94
2022, 4:04.12
Also of note is that World Athletics/USATF has Hiltz listed under "Women"
LOL you know nothing if you think LULU needs Nikki to sell their stuff.
But that's not what you said, and that's not what you asked: you said, how often does the public look at an athlete sponsor and say, "I need that?" And I provided you with a direct example in which the public did exactly that. So that's enough of this conversation.
Also: Hiltz isn't a "mid tier" athlete. Stop. They are in the conversation as a top contender at championship events and have posted top 3-5 times in middle distance events in 2022.
Get a grip on reality if you are going to try to evaluate athletes.
LOL you know nothing if you think LULU needs Nikki to sell their stuff.
But that's not what you said, and that's not what you asked: you said, how often does the public look at an athlete sponsor and say, "I need that?" And I provided you with a direct example in which the public did exactly that. So that's enough of this conversation.
Also: Hiltz isn't a "mid tier" athlete. Stop. They are in the conversation as a top contender at championship events and have posted top 3-5 times in middle distance events in 2022.
Get a grip on reality if you are going to try to evaluate athletes.
You provided an anecdotal example that Nikki wearing a specific kit is the reason they were sold out. Do you have data to support it was because Nikki was wearing them? I'll hang up and listen. Did they use code #NIKKIISTHEGREATEST at checkout? Please, most young women/girls wearing Lulu don't know who Nikki is, get a grip.
LOL you know nothing if you think LULU needs Nikki to sell their stuff.
What is the basis or reason for your hate?
No hate was intended, I was just making an observation about sponsorship in general. I have nothing against Nikki or any other pro seeking sponsorship.
I'm happy she can pursue her dreams with a sponsorship. My position is more from a perspective that our sport isn't like other main stream sports where big names really move the needle with their sponsorship.
But that's not what you said, and that's not what you asked: you said, how often does the public look at an athlete sponsor and say, "I need that?" And I provided you with a direct example in which the public did exactly that. So that's enough of this conversation.
Also: Hiltz isn't a "mid tier" athlete. Stop. They are in the conversation as a top contender at championship events and have posted top 3-5 times in middle distance events in 2022.
Get a grip on reality if you are going to try to evaluate athletes.
You provided an anecdotal example that Nikki wearing a specific kit is the reason they were sold out. Do you have data to support it was because Nikki was wearing them? I'll hang up and listen. Did they use code #NIKKIISTHEGREATEST at checkout? Please, most young women/girls wearing Lulu don't know who Nikki is, get a grip.
I absolutely provided an anecdote--do you have any data, anecdotal or otherwise to support your statements and counter mine and support your own thoughts? BC that's really your job here. I haven't seen anything yet. Listen, just because something is a qualitative example doesn't mean it isn't accurate or appropriate: especially in the face of someone who makes statements and can't back them up with anything except hot air.
You provided an anecdotal example that Nikki wearing a specific kit is the reason they were sold out. Do you have data to support it was because Nikki was wearing them? I'll hang up and listen. Did they use code #NIKKIISTHEGREATEST at checkout? Please, most young women/girls wearing Lulu don't know who Nikki is, get a grip.
I absolutely provided an anecdote--do you have any data, anecdotal or otherwise to support your statements and counter mine and support your own thoughts? BC that's really your job here. I haven't seen anything yet. Listen, just because something is a qualitative example doesn't mean it isn't accurate or appropriate: especially in the face of someone who makes statements and can't back them up with anything except hot air.
Also: I never said Hiltz wearing the kit was "the reason" it sold out. I said the two things HAPPENED. It's a correlation. I also provided direct quotes that countered your position of "no one is buying based on these "mid-tier" athletes. Direct quotes of fans saying ON THEIR SOCIALS "OMG, what is the color/type of kit, I NEED IT" is pretty freaking close to people buying based on fandom, but think whatever you want salad bar.
I think that Nikki finds themselves in a catch 22. Because there's no logical argument support trans women competing with cis women in sports, while also supporting themselves competing with cis women.
Nikki does not identify as a woman, nor do they identify as female. They discussed taking HRT and testosterone as well as having top surgery after their career is over.
But Nikki does not take any issue whatsoever with competing alongside cis women. They have never advocated for a separate category to be more inclusive of non binary people. They have never insisted on racing men. And the question remains: why is that? If gender identity is this monumental, why then, is Nikki fine with standing side by side racing and training with women?
The answer, (I believe) is that despite being nonbinary, Nikki was assigned female at birth--and I say that not believing that an assignment of female is arbitrary. Nikki has a "female" body and so it makes sense to them to race others with the same body. But if they were to state this, then they would be in direct opposition to trans women competing alongside cis women.
I don't have any issues with Nikki competing against women. What I have issue with is their continued advocating for cis women to give up their spaces and rights and the fairness of sport.
Nikki was assigned female at birth and has not medically transitioned, therefore it does make the most logical sense for Nikki to compete in the female category, especially given the fact that they are competing at an elite level in the female category.
Nikki also isn't the first transgender person assigned female at birth to compete in the female category while using different pronouns. Keelin Godsey placed 4th or 5th in the 2012 Olympic trials for the hammer throw while using male pronouns, but taking no steps to medically transition.
Transwomen who have medically transitioned would also like to compete in the female category and there is currently a debate about whether or not this is fair, and at what level/sport would this be fair for other athletes. However, no one is making the argument that transwomen that have not taken any steps to medically transition should be allowed to compete in the female category at the collegiate or professional levels.