Meb Unable To Reach Deal With Boston Marathon Organizers - May Not Run Spring Marathon

How is it clear from the way the story is written that the $$ wasn't right? He simply said it didn't work out. That could mean anything.

I'd advise finding another Spring marathon and telling Boston to suck one.

Great Spring marathons are 10 a penny in Europe; London, Paris, Rot, may not pay as much but potential for a nice time beats Boston.

Dude, really? You couldn't conclude that it was a $$$ issue?

Brumby Gully wrote:

How is it clear from the way the story is written that the $$ wasn't right? He simply said it didn't work out. That could mean anything.

He was fifth in Boston just last year. You'd think they'd value him more.

Maybe he should just go to Rotterdam and finally get the big thing missing from his resume - a very fast marathon time. In any case, I believe he said he'd put news about this on his website on Thursday.

Just another ahole arrogant pro athlete thinking his poop doesn't stink. Stay classy, Meb!

If he really is deciding not to run Boston because of money this strikes me as a HUGE setback for distance running in the United States.

Before we draw any conclusions....Meb is sponsored by Nike and Boston is an Adidas Marathon. Not sure if that plays a role.

(And yes, I know that Hall is sponsored by Asics)

To the aaass guy above - Meb is one of the classiest people out there. You're talking about a guy who was written off by the professional race organizing world. He was written off by Boston before he won New York. During the summer leading into New York, when Meb was running PR after PR, he openly stated he had hoped to run Boston and Ryan Hall was trying to help him get in, but Boston just said "no." It looks like they're doing it again.

Adidas's sponsorship of the marathon has nothing to do with it.

The issue here is how much money John Hancock is willing to pay Meb as a "consultant" (read: appearance fee) for the marathon. It seems that the organizers are not going to offer what Meb is looking for and that's disappointing. I like Ryan Hall and respect what he's done, but Meb is a better fit for the marathon course. Ryan's races are professional tempos where he runs his own race at his pace. Meb is a road racer, a pure heart and soul road racer. You make a move, he responds to keep up. That's exactly what the Boston Marathon is like and it's a shame that the best American runner for the Boston course is being excluded.

I hope Meb dominates in the NYC Half and shuts a lot of people up .... again.

THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT. Athletes need to stand up to race directors and get what they deserve!

Maybe Boston refused to give him elite or invited status and he didn't want to race with bib #32183 and drink the hyper-concentrated Gatorade they serve to the masses. Just like Belainesh Gebre in the Honolulu Marathon:

http://www.khon2.com/mostpopular/story/Gebre-wins-women-s-race-but-not-without/gafWj1M2T0Sv_DG9mMqg0A.cspx

With him being sick for so long, he may have waited too long to negotiate his price with BAA and BAA may have shot their budget already. It happens.

Meb and his brother agent are interesting negotiators. Here's what happened in 2007: Meb's contract was up for renewal at the end of the year. Before marathon trials they told Nike they wanted $400K instead of the $200K he was getting. Nike said nope, we'll keep you at $200K. Meb and brother said they might have to look elsewhere. Then Meb (injured) got 8th at marathon trials. They go back to Nike. "So, uh, yeah, $200K, sounds great. Thanks!" Nike says nice try, $100K, take it or leave it.

Like that 3-hour female marathoner looking for $2k from a marathon organizer to attend his/her 'thon?

asdfd43 wrote:

Like that 3-hour female marathoner looking for $2k from a marathon organizer to attend his/her 'thon?

You seem smart.

I have alway wondered which is longer is it a Full Mary or a 'thon? I've read different opinions on this could you clear it up for me.

Wow, I agree with an earlier post that it does not mention money anywhere. In fact the only legitimate reason he gives is "illness". So why does everyone, including Wejo, interpret this as a money issue? Not saying it isn't, but that is not what the man said. Go back and read it again.

Ray wrote:

So why does everyone, including Wejo, interpret this as a money issue?

Of course it is. If he'd offer to run for free, I am sure Boston would accept. Somewhere between free and "a lot" of money is the threshold where BAA drew the line. And that was lower than what Meb wanted.

Niko wrote:

Great Spring marathons are 10 a penny in Europe; London, Paris, Rot, may not pay as much but potential for a nice time beats Boston.

I doubt London or Paris would pay much for a 2:09h marathoner. Why would they, if they can pick between "hundreds" of sub2:08 guys?

What I don't get is why would he run a fall marathon? Given his age and injury woes, I would think he would be better served getting ready for the trials. Run a fast marathon this spring, concentrate on the track in the summer, run Trials, make Olympics, get his "value" up there as an Olympian once again, run London 2012, spend 2013-2015 clipping appearance fees, riding this last 18 month cycle of smart decisions.

Instead, he stands to run a fall marathon, be hurt/sick/injured for the trials, not make the Olympics, and see his next 3 years of income plummet as a consequence.

They are the same distance.