Rupp fires Michael Johnson

Surprise! wrote:

Replace "Rupp" with "any male distance runner" and that's what you got.

Wheaties, etc market to the general public, not track fans. Rupp, Ritz, Sol, Teg - they all look like skinny distance runners. There's no difference.

He should be able to get a decent shoe contract? Doesn't he already have one of those?

No, I think Ritz and Solinsky are really likeable. Yes, they're skinny but they are good looking and are good interviewers. Rupp, not so much. It's not his fault, but that's the way it is. He's a great runner, but lacks basic charisma (ex- his body language in interviews is poor).

The problem is, Ritz and Solinsky don't have any olympic medals. And thats what the average person cares about when it comes to track & field.

Regardless, this was probably a really good move for Rupp.

If his public persona is not up to snuff for endorsements, any good agent will see to it that he gets some training in public speaking and/or acting, etc. As to looks, that's what creative camera angles, makeup and some style coaching are for. Look at the Lopez Lomong VISA commercials - it's a compelling story, he doesn't speak and is filmed in a stylish manner. The spinmeisters can do the something similar for Rupp should the opportunity arise. His switching agents seems a legit attempt at maximizing the chance for the opportunity.

TrackCoach wrote:

Probably not a bad more becasue when an agent is in the more than his athletes, that can't be a thing.

Drinking and typing don't mix.

How about if we replace Rupp with Meb or Hall? They both have had commercial endorsements outside of shoe companies. Especially Hall, with Nissan and whatever electronics company he works with. I have seen his Nissan commericial on primetime several times now.

Great post, man... thank you. I've never met Galen myself and I don't have much of an opinion on his "social skills" except that he seems like a likeable guy who loves the sport and competes hard(can't ask for much more than that), but I appreciate what you said because it honestly scares me how blindly judgmental people are.

The running community isn't the only "international-yet-niche" community I've been heavily involved in at some point or another, and it's always the same. People see the visible figures in the scene and act like they have them all figured out (and usually their findings are very negative) when it's so obvious they don't have a clue what they are talking about. People need to spend much more time understanding their close friends and family members and *themselves* by looking in the mirror and a whole lot less time making ridiculous black and white statements about people they know almost nothing about.

I know nothing about his ability as an agent and don't care. Wondering if you read the interview that was linked on this page a few days ago? MJ makes more in interest per day than you make in a yr. He had the right to race when he wanted and where he wanted. It was his job and he was the best in the world at it. Are you angry he didn't run at your local track meet?

Good move, He already has a deal for breathe right nasal strips.

No "social skills"?

You're an idiot.

It's amazing when people on the internet just make sht up.

Since I have hung out with him -- while he was hanging out with his crew of friends... I can tell you first hand he has just great social skills. Out of the limelight he is a cool guy. Maybe not your cool, but he is cool. He can make wise cracks with the best of them, he's a sharp guy.

You people just have really skewed and screwed up ideas and projections.

Just because the guy may not be 100% comfortable on camera (few are) all the time, doesn't mean he doesn't have social skills.

Just because he is average looking, doesn't mean he doesn't have social skills or appeal. He's an incredibly nice person, and truly understand and appreciates all the amazing good fortune he's had.

He's NIKE for life. Phil Knight has been his #1 fan for ages. Galen NEVER has to worry about money. He'll work for Nike as long as he EVER wants.

The guy won the talent and the good luck lottery.

To you jealous haters, I suggest you just back off your judgments, enjoy the athletic performances and can all the crap.[/quote]

I am sure Rupp will be "Nike" for life and he would be silly not to take advantage of his "luck". I never said anything about his social skills my comment was that his marketability to a broad audiance is very low due to his goofy looks and at times unrecognizable speech issues. I don't see how that is hating, you even aknowleded that he is not comfortable in front of a camera and is only average looking, which is practically saying the guy is ugly.

I was at Costco yesterday and you know the big screen TVs for sale?

On the box of the 60 inch TV for sale at COSTCO is a huge photo of Ryan Hall running in a race. With other pictures of him on the box.

Every box is lined up. Ryan Hall after Ryan hall on twenty or thirsty boxes. Not on the screen display on that actual cardboard box the TV comes inside.

I had already read his post and was thinking wow Hall must have a better agent than Rupp.

a person but not that person wrote:

Rupp fired agent Michael Johnson and hired Ricky Simms.

http://www.nbcolympics.com/news-blogs/track-and-field/galen-rupp-switches-agents-before-olympics.html?chrcontext=team-usa

Does this mean anything significant?

It is likely a practical consideration -- allowing one well connected agent to book Salazar's two top athletes in one phone call.

DKCCC wrote:

Surprise! wrote:

Replace "Rupp" with "any male distance runner" and that's what you got.

Wheaties, etc market to the general public, not track fans. Rupp, Ritz, Sol, Teg - they all look like skinny distance runners. There's no difference.

He should be able to get a decent shoe contract? Doesn't he already have one of those?

No, I think Ritz and Solinsky are really likeable. Yes, they're skinny but they are good looking and are good interviewers. Rupp, not so much. It's not his fault, but that's the way it is. He's a great runner, but lacks basic charisma (ex- his body language in interviews is poor).

The problem is, Ritz and Solinsky don't have any olympic medals. And thats what the average person cares about when it comes to track & field.

Regardless, this was probably a really good move for Rupp.

You haven't seen all his interviews. A couple of years ago he gave flotrack a long on camera interview and he's a very well thought out guy. It's just this board is full of so many negative nancies and pot shoting shtheads that you've been unwittingly biased.

Good one...I like it. No more 40 oz'ers for you...:-).

Yo, d-bag. http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/track-and-field/rupp-lagat-lomong-let-emotions-spill-over.htmlYou're an idiot. That interview is all American and all Class. You're the only dork on this block.

I am sure Rupp will be "Nike" for life and he would be silly not to take advantage of his "luck". I never said anything about his social skills my comment was that his marketability to a broad audiance is very low due to his goofy looks and at times unrecognizable speech issues. I don't see how that is hating, you even aknowleded that he is not comfortable in front of a camera and is only average looking, which is practically saying the guy is ugly.[/quote]

"unrecognizable speech issues"

WTF?

You're an idiot.

Go watch Manzano speak after the OT 1500.

Now THAT is "unrecognizable speech issues."

Lopez Lomong speaks better English than Manzano.

Dumbest comment of the month so far-

"Ryan Hall speaks normally".

Which interview do you refer? He sounds like a jesus freak airhead. The Soul Surfer of running.

Armenians are white! Some Armenians actually do have light eyes and blonde hair. I want to scream right now. I really hope you are in 5th or 6th grade.

800 Meter Man wrote:

You haven't seen all his interviews. A couple of years ago he gave flotrack a long on camera interview and he's a very well thought out guy. It's just this board is full of so many negative nancies and pot shoting shtheads that you've been unwittingly biased.

That may be true. Can you post it, then?

doh etosh wrote:

fgfg wrote:

10-20% chance at a 5 and 10 medal is something.

Not to the average Subway-buying American... And you can't find a distance runner who looks like Phelps with his shirt off anywhere (except a Crossfit gym).

Bravo...you just shared the best dose of reality I've seen in a long time...thank you

Phelps - 8 golds in a single games!...tall, cut all american look

Hall - Is/was America's #1 marathoner - even the society at large knows about the marathon and is in awe over the distance - like Phelps he has a good look

Rupp - Scrawny, dorky looking...even if he medaled most folks would say so what (how did Meb's life change financially speaking after his silver in 2008?...I'm sure there was a slight bump but nothing earth shattering)

Phelps - 8 golds in a single games!...tall, cut all american look

Hall - Is/was America's #1 marathoner - even the society at large knows about the marathon and is in awe over the distance - like Phelps he has a good look

Rupp - Scrawny, dorky looking...even if he medaled most folks would say so what (how did Meb's life change financially speaking after his silver in 2008?...I'm sure there was a slight bump but nothing earth shattering)[/quote]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/30404885@N05/7424225786/in/photostream/

Hes not that scrawny these days,(yes I know you can find silly looking pictures, but there are plenty of phelps too) I think MJ has done nothing for getting Rupps name out there, sans this website which is nothing but negative. Three American records and three national championships since going pro- poor pr MJ.