Will Webb sign with another shoe company?

He will go for the money, no reason not to. At that level, it's all about business and career choices. No one will think less of him for making a smart financial decision, certainly not his current OTC teammates.

J hear he's signing a contract with vibram.

why doesnt alan webb just forget about the middle distances and try to be a Rupp Ritz or Hall

Because it has been his dream to set the world record in the mile/1500 since he was in high school, and to switch events would make it an impossibility. He is still friends with El G, I wonder what kind of advice he is giving?

So the bus driver for NHL farm team [american hockey leauge] makes more then Webb.

I'm not saying the NHL bus driver

the janitor at the Nike building must make close to 30-50 [if in a union]

Li Ning or whatever that Chinese company is called will offer him a large sum to wear the rear and shoes. The Chinese like Webb and his Tai Chi.

Even if someone like Saucony offers more to Webb in a contract they may not be able to provide the resources for the best training/doctors and provide connections to get paid at big meets.

Newton for sure. I heard their founder give a talk two months ago and he said they are coming out with spikes.

My take on it wrote:

...He is still friends with El G, I wonder what kind of advice he is giving?

Since when is he friends with El G? i thought the only exposure to him was when he raced his high school record. But, i've only been lurking a short time, please feel free to inform me.

toro wrote: Even if someone like Saucony offers more to Webb in a contract they may not be able to provide the resources for the best training/doctors and provide connections to get paid at big meets.

Webb and especially Ritz are living proof that all that high tech gadgetry and medicine that Nike can offer won't really make a difference when it comes to keeping a runner healthy.

Perhapsman wrote:

toro wrote: Even if someone like Saucony offers more to Webb in a contract they may not be able to provide the resources for the best training/doctors and provide connections to get paid at big meets.

Webb and especially Ritz are living proof that all that high tech gadgetry and medicine that Nike can offer won't really make a difference when it comes to keeping a runner healthy.

Both are clearly head cases though.

Ritz doing easy runs on a 200m track and Webb's post-race performance at New Balance are examples, from recent memory, that indicate they have mental problems that even AlSal and his resources can't fix.

Webb is primed for a good season. If you look at his rapid progression late last summer, which culminated with a solid 5th Ave mile, then move forward to his beating Rupp in a 5k in November and continue on past some early season illnesses/injuries, to see his recent 3:37 while hanging with some very good competition as a very big race (it was)... there is no reason to think Webb won't be back this year (question is, how back? I say 3:31-2 and a finalist at the WC... finishing top 6).

This is the year before the Olympics. This year is the single most important year for a track athlete as far as sponsorship is concerned.

Every major sponsor wants to jump on the bandwagon of a medal hopeful... and to sign a potential 1500 medalist is HUGE. There is no bigger draw except for a potential 100 meter winner or marathon medalist.

If Alan plays his cards right, dominates the US scene and runs well internationally, he will be a hot commodity and have plenty of lucrative sponsorship opportunities going into the Olympic year.

Its a gamble, but Webb is a confident dude. If he is confident that he won't get injured and will get back close to his best, he should try and negotiate a 1 year stop-gap contract. Then after a dominant season (hopefully) start playing everyone off of each other for a bigger, 5 year contract that would cover him through Rio (and past his prime).

Just like Boras does for his athlete's Ray Flynn should have a book ready on Webb... complete with Doctor's testimonials, top performances, charts on his progression, etc. A nice one would be a few pages on how BECAUSE of the fact that Webb has been injured a bunch, it has saved his legs and that he will still be a force in 5 years (unlikely, but this is what his agent should be saying."

So...

1) Get a 1-year stop-gap contract

2) Run really REALLY fast this year... his "free agent" year

3) Go into Olympic year with multiple bidders, playing up medal hopes, AR, health and long term potential

4) Secure a 5 year contract that goes through Rio

fyi,

The alternative/safe way to go is to sign now what is likely a 2-year deal (i.e. through London) at a way discounted rate and shortened amount of time to what he could get if he kills it this year and waits til the end of the season to negotiate. Of course, this relieves all pressure on Alan as he is virtually guaranteed something, even if he gets injured, sick, or just doesn't get back to his previous level.

watching webb has been like watching butler last night and their streak of 1-22 from the field. depressing. you know they can do better, but it's just not happening.

I will always be a huge webb fan, but he just does not seem to have it mentally. I know know if he was too good too soon or that he was just never tough. I know he has run good races, but he only runs well when he feels good, when he feels off, he is awful. I don't think that type of runner can be successful in the long term.

Conto,

Simply put, I disagree with almost everything you wrote. There is nothing to indicate Webb is a "confidant dude".

Some company will take a chance with him but it is taking a chance, that is all, they are hoping to get lucky.

I'd love to be a Webb fan, but the guy is a time trialer not a racer - what shoe company wants to pay a guy to run 3:31 at a European summer meet, then run a bad semi at London and go home?

agip wrote:

I'd love to be a Webb fan, but the guy is a time trialer not a racer - what shoe company wants to pay a guy to run 3:31 at a European summer meet, then run a bad semi at London and go home?

If I was a shoe company I'd think about taking a chance on Webb. How many other Americans have shown they can be the best in the world or even run a 3:31? Webb has won Golden League races.

He has more upside than any other American unsigned runner. It'll cost you more, but if you want to talk about other guys you could say, "What shoe company wants to sponsor a 3:33 guy who will be lucky to make a final?"

Brand perception is hard to change and Webb could be a good place to start for a company trying to make an impact. I bet it would be weird for Webb to lace up another company's spikes as the swoosh is probably tied closely to his performance identity but a bunch of Benjamins in his back pocket can no doubt make it easier.

A guy wrote me and said, "I didn't realize how much an influence money had in the sport." I asked him what he meant and he said, "well Webb's contract was up so he left Salazar." I don't think that was the reason he left Salazar but the guy did make one point. If Webb is going to shop himself around on the market, he shouldn't be being coached by Salazar because Salazar can only coach Nike athletes. If Webb was all gungho about Salazar, he'd have very little leverage to say, "Oh yeah I'm going to sign with X if you don't up my offer."

blanco wrote:

Li Ning or whatever that Chinese company is called will offer him a large sum to wear the rear and shoes. The Chinese like Webb and his Tai Chi.

are you kidding? wrote:

Conto,

Simply put, I disagree with almost everything you wrote. There is nothing to indicate Webb is a "confidant dude".

He meant Webb can keep a secret.