Host city. THEY THINK people come there to compete, watch, and plenty of free advertising of how great their city is. They THINK it will bring in revenue from hotels, travel expenses, etc.
I mean.. is it really that big of a deal? There is TV coverage, but I doubt it'll bring in many more people than an Ironman event or a Rock and Roll Marathon, of which there is one every weekend it seems.
OK sorry let me rephrase:
Host city. THEY THINK people come there to compete, watch, and plenty of free advertising of how great their city is. They THINK it will bring in revenue from hotels, travel expenses, etc.
I think you're selling these few and far between bidding cities short. They know full well what they're getting into. Major expenditures, tons of red tape & very little 'payback'. I am firm in believing it's an ego thing. What mayor or race director wouldn't want to say they were going to host the United States Olympic Trials.
Host city. THEY THINK people come there to compete, watch, and plenty of free advertising of how great their city is. They THINK it will bring in revenue from hotels, travel expenses, etc.
I think you're selling these few and far between bidding cities short. They know full well what they're getting into. Major expenditures, tons of red tape & very little 'payback'. I am firm in believing it's an ego thing. What mayor or race director wouldn't want to say they were going to host the United States Olympic Trials.
You could be right. I am not even sure why Orlando would want to hold the trials. Maybe it's ego. I feel like the people in power in Orlando already have plenty of things going that make them money and keep them busy.
Yes the board of directors voted for Chattanooga, but again the USOPC has the final say. It sounds the USOPC DQed the bid because of the major conflict of interest, and the BOD was forced to reverse their decision. Sarah needs to fact check some more.
I think you're selling these few and far between bidding cities short. They know full well what they're getting into. Major expenditures, tons of red tape & very little 'payback'. I am firm in believing it's an ego thing. What mayor or race director wouldn't want to say they were going to host the United States Olympic Trials.
You could be right. I am not even sure why Orlando would want to hold the trials. Maybe it's ego. I feel like the people in power in Orlando already have plenty of things going that make them money and keep them busy.
Maybe they want to show Orlando can put on a great event. Everything else they do seems kind of Mickey Mouse!
You could be right. I am not even sure why Orlando would want to hold the trials. Maybe it's ego. I feel like the people in power in Orlando already have plenty of things going that make them money and keep them busy.
Maybe they want to show Orlando can put on a great event. Everything else they do seems kind of Mickey Mouse!
It started at 10:00 am LA time, 1:00pm EST. But still too late in the day based on the forecast. Should have been 7am LA time. They don't give a crap about the runners. Just wanted the TV window.
It started at 10:00 am LA time, 1:00pm EST. But still too late in the day based on the forecast. Should have been 7am LA time. They don't give a crap about the runners. Just wanted the TV window.
Imagine, scheduling a sporting event so it'll be on network tv at a time to maximize viewership! What were they thinking?!?!?
I think you're selling these few and far between bidding cities short. They know full well what they're getting into. Major expenditures, tons of red tape & very little 'payback'. I am firm in believing it's an ego thing. What mayor or race director wouldn't want to say they were going to host the United States Olympic Trials.
You could be right. I am not even sure why Orlando would want to hold the trials. Maybe it's ego. I feel like the people in power in Orlando already have plenty of things going that make them money and keep them busy.
I think the "people in power" are very excited the Trials are coming to town.
It started at 10:00 am LA time, 1:00pm EST. But still too late in the day based on the forecast. Should have been 7am LA time. They don't give a crap about the runners. Just wanted the TV window.
Imagine, scheduling a sporting event so it'll be on network tv at a time to maximize viewership! What were they thinking?!?!?
I get that, but with the weather forecast, it was horrible for the runners. I would think the safety of the competitors would count for more then the low tv ratings they were going to get anyway.
Host city. THEY THINK people come there to compete, watch, and plenty of free advertising of how great their city is. They THINK it will bring in revenue from hotels, travel expenses, etc.
I think you're selling these few and far between bidding cities short. They know full well what they're getting into. Major expenditures, tons of red tape & very little 'payback'. I am firm in believing it's an ego thing. What mayor or race director wouldn't want to say they were going to host the United States Olympic Trials.
They always try to justify stuff like this by saying it will bring in business, but in reality this is something a city does just for clout. There's nothing wrong with that. It helps to raise the awareness of the city as a destination, as "worthy" of visiting. You can't put an exact dollar for dollar number on it.
It would be like trying to justify your vacation on a dollar by dollar benefit. Somethings you do just because you want to, you want the experience, you want to be "enriched" somehow.
What should happen is the board of USATF derivatively sues USATF for breach of fiduciary duty and seek a declaratory judgment they violated the bylaws, etc. Maybe tack on a claim for corporate waste. Alternatively Chattanooga could sue saying that the National office acted without apparent authority bc the bylaws authorizing Chattanooga were public. So many options if the board/Chattanooga wants to go that route
what do I know though I’m just a Corporate lawyer ://///
I think the conflict of interest issue is pretty bad with the board. Why does someone who does consulting work for bidders think he or she should serve on the board? Recusing on the vote doesn't really address the issue. The consultant's fellow board members are aware of the interest of their colleague.
Yes the board of directors voted for Chattanooga, but again the USOPC has the final say. It sounds the USOPC DQed the bid because of the major conflict of interest, and the BOD was forced to reverse their decision. Sarah needs to fact check some more.
If that is the case then that is very easy to state by USATF communications. "The US Olympic Committee disqualified the bid from Chattanooga and we selected Orlando as a result."
USATF should remember it is a non-profit and serves the community at large and should try and be as transparent with the running community as it can. The lack of communication is the problem.
What should happen is the board of USATF derivatively sues USATF for breach of fiduciary duty and seek a declaratory judgment they violated the bylaws, etc. Maybe tack on a claim for corporate waste. Alternatively Chattanooga could sue saying that the National office acted without apparent authority bc the bylaws authorizing Chattanooga were public. So many options if the board/Chattanooga wants to go that route
what do I know though I’m just a Corporate lawyer ://///
Bidders are not falling over themselves for the OTQ Marathon to begin with. I sincerely doubt anyone is going to spend money on retainer fees over this.
See Article 18, Section D of the bylaws (indemnification). USATF has to pay the expenses in advance for legal fees incurred by the board for suits related to their board service. USATF does not carve out suits brought by the individual director/board like many corps do
The article is now up in the #1 spot on the homepage. The OP's intitial title also was asking why it wasn't on the homepage. That was an oversight and has een corrected.
The idea that they won't give us an explanation is far from a shocker but infuriating.
If this doesn't scream- USA ATHLETE'S UNION NEEDED!!!! Then I don't know what does. From the days of TAC to USATF American T & F athlete's have been getting F**KED!
Enough is enough already. Max Seigel laughs in the face of every athlete who is biting and scratching to stay competitive while cashing his checks. It's a disgrace that USA athletes cannot trust their own federation. Does Mr. "Max-a-Million" realize he works for the athletes?, and not the other way around?
Yes, but that’s a major conflict of interest to be part of the bid packet and also on the board of directors- even if you recuse yourself. Sarah needs to fact check who’s decision it was to DQ Chattanooga. USATF doesn’t have the final say.
Right, but that was disclosed prior and updated according to the article. Also, the board unanimously voted for Chattanooga based on the recommendations of the men's and women's long distance committees. I guess it's possible that Estes had so much influence over the committees and also the board, but that seems unlikely, and it wouldn't explain 2016.
Again, the fact that nobody can explain or comment on it doesn't look great for anyone making the decision.
It's like that time when Billy Beane picked the pitcher with the bum elbow to play first base, when his entire scouting staff unanimously voted for Pena!
And look what happened..21 game winning streak in Oakland! It's all about getting on base.
Honest question: Why bribe someone for the trials? Outside of USATF who actually benefits from hosting the trials?
Host city. People come there to compete, watch, and plenty of free advertising of how great their city is. They bring in revenue from hotels, travel expenses, etc.
The amount of free advertising Orlando will receive is miniscule compared to the how ever many million tourists visit that area. Same think with Atlanta and LA. Now on the other hand, Chattanooga could really show itself off.
Imagine, scheduling a sporting event so it'll be on network tv at a time to maximize viewership! What were they thinking?!?!?
I get that, but with the weather forecast, it was horrible for the runners. I would think the safety of the competitors would count for more then the low tv ratings they were going to get anyway.
If these things were true then there would be no such thing as Football or Boxing with everything we know.