Good for Nico, and well-deserved. I hope he goes with 5K only at NCAAs. Just seems to make sense in terms of managing racing and all that ahead of the OT.
I’ve disliked adidas spikes but these were before the supershoes but maybe he likes them (and he definitely has run well in them). Congrats to him as it’s very well deserved
Anyone else surprised it took this long? I get in T&F we're not talking life changing money, so the motivation to take on a NIL deal isn't the same. But regardless, this seems like something that should have happened a year ago. I guess good for him for holding out though, if that's what he did. No doubt that made him more money in the end.
Anyone else surprised it took this long? I get in T&F we're not talking life changing money, so the motivation to take on a NIL deal isn't the same. But regardless, this seems like something that should have happened a year ago. I guess good for him for holding out though, if that's what he did. No doubt that made him more money in the end.
Do you know how much money he's getting?
If it keeps him from going pro it has to be substantial. If not, he should go pro.
Anyone else surprised it took this long? I get in T&F we're not talking life changing money, so the motivation to take on a NIL deal isn't the same. But regardless, this seems like something that should have happened a year ago. I guess good for him for holding out though, if that's what he did. No doubt that made him more money in the end.
Do you know how much money he's getting?
If it keeps him from going pro it has to be substantial. If not, he should go pro.
I believe he wants one last shot to win the NCAA XC title and then turn pro afterwards.
Crazy that he didnt get an NIL until now. He was still top 5 distance runner in the NCAA before this indoor season and definitely the most popular, so he must've deliberately held out on it for some reason
he could have signed an NIL deal at any time but he bet on himself and waited until his value was at its highest. 5K and 10K NCAA records, 2 NCAA Championships, and a sub-4 at 7000 feet. his value will never be higher.
Anyone else surprised it took this long? I get in T&F we're not talking life changing money, so the motivation to take on a NIL deal isn't the same. But regardless, this seems like something that should have happened a year ago. I guess good for him for holding out though, if that's what he did. No doubt that made him more money in the end.
Do you know how much money he's getting?
If it keeps him from going pro it has to be substantial. If not, he should go pro.
Current situation: NAU pays for his tuition, coaching, trainers, athletics facilities, housing, food, health insurance, travel to meets, etc. Adidas gives him a bunch of money on top of that.
Situation if he went pro: Adidas pays him a little more... but then he has to use that to pay for all the other stuff he was getting from NAU.
I assume he wants to finish his degree, and Mike Smith is the most sought-after pro coach right now and Flagstaff the most popular training location, so he's not going anywhere else. And it's not like Smith is going to make him double up at the UNLV dual meet or something. He will have Nico run only the races that help him towards his goals of an outdoor NCAA title and making the Olympic team.
If it keeps him from going pro it has to be substantial. If not, he should go pro.
Current situation: NAU pays for his tuition, coaching, trainers, athletics facilities, housing, food, health insurance, travel to meets, etc. Adidas gives him a bunch of money on top of that.
Situation if he went pro: Adidas pays him a little more... but then he has to use that to pay for all the other stuff he was getting from NAU.
I assume he wants to finish his degree, and Mike Smith is the most sought-after pro coach right now and Flagstaff the most popular training location, so he's not going anywhere else. And it's not like Smith is going to make him double up at the UNLV dual meet or something. He will have Nico run only the races that help him towards his goals of an outdoor NCAA title and making the Olympic team.
NAU is an Adidas sponsored school, Mike Smith literally wears an Adidas hat at every meet. Most of Mike Smith Elite are adidas sponsored. so chances are Nico stays in Flag, gets his degree and just keeps training with Smith, Abdi, Louis, and Woody. if you watch those ALL ACCESS TRACK videos of NAU, Nico is doing his own workouts separate from the team. he's basically already training like a pro.
I agree the NIL in college vs pro set up is great. Say he needs an MRI, NAU can get him one tomorrow.
If he went full pro, insurance nonsense.
the only thing that will get in the way is the ncaa schedule while going for the trials. If Smith works with him to be fresh I can see him making the Olympics for sure.
I 2012 there was a whole host of guys going for the Olympics. Tom Farrell got hurt, Chris Derek just missed, Mo Ahmed made it, I believe Diego Estrada made it for Mexico. All ran a modified season.
Anyone else surprised it took this long? I get in T&F we're not talking life changing money, so the motivation to take on a NIL deal isn't the same. But regardless, this seems like something that should have happened a year ago. I guess good for him for holding out though, if that's what he did. No doubt that made him more money in the end.
Do you know how much money he's getting?
If it keeps him from going pro it has to be substantial. If not, he should go pro.
Definitely substantial. I'd bet there's a clause in there with stipulations on a pro contract, should he choose to go pro with them. I think it also makes him way more expensive to competitors. Good for Nico!
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