RE: Emma Coburn signs with New Balance

bad move no agent wrote:

Exactly, very bad move not having an agent. An agent, 1) is the main source in getting her into major races, 2)the main source for obtaining endorsements, 3) the main source in her overall racing and travel plans, 4)the main source in advertising her name, 5) is the primary interface between her and the shoe company.

I don't think Mark Wetmore can do all of the above. The "other" Mark Wetmore could.

Having an agent is retarded. She can do all these things herself, AND keep her 10-15%. Athletes nowadays can easily self-promote. All it takes is sending a few emails/phone calls to get into races (whether her or Mark), and she can get into whatever she pleases with her credentials. Plus, she can be more personable with her sponsors and also the race coordinators. She'll have no problem getting additional sponsorship (NB contract allowing), and will likely be utilized a lot for advertising. Good for her!

Having an agent is retarded. She can do all these things herself, AND keep her 10-15%. Athletes nowadays can easily self-promote. All it takes is sending a few emails/phone calls to get into races (whether her or Mark), and she can get into whatever she pleases with her credentials. Plus, she can be more personable with her sponsors and also the race coordinators. She'll have no problem getting additional sponsorship (NB contract allowing), and will likely be utilized a lot for advertising. Good for her![/quote]

We have someone who understands. Few athlete like their agent. Some of the biggest names in the game (Richards-Ross, Felix, Flanagan, Meb) have a family member as their "agent"- you can thrive w/p one if you are fast.

The steeplechase is not exactly considered an elite event. Many runners who are not fast enough in the 1500 or 5000 become steeplechasers. Highly unlikely she received the lucrative contract she would have received if she was and elite 1500 runner.

One Bowerman Drive wrote:

Isn't Colorado a Nike school? Nike is going to have to cut the track team's support if they keep sending athletes to New Balance

What drives college gear contracts is the football program, or, at some schools, the basketball program. Track is a secondary consideration everywhere except perhaps Oregon.

Its actually a good move , the agent gets 10% for cutting the deal that the athlete can do with a little common sense. Bonus schedules are standard for shoe companies as equipment allocation , nothing to be negotiated.

The races are not secret , coach/athlete can build a schedule make the call and get a lane. Secondary endorsements are few and far between , easy to meet the reps at meets and functions and cut your own deal. Advertising the athletes name ? ( stupid comment of the day ) , easy to get a personal web page up and Facebook page. Primary interface with shoe company , second most stupid comment , athletes like/want to have the contact with their shoe rep its critical to have a direct interface and dialog.

Mark W. is good agent without question , not every athlete though needs the hand holding.

Steeplechase galore wrote:

The steeplechase is not exactly considered an elite event. Many runners who are not fast enough in the 1500 or 5000 become steeplechasers. Highly unlikely she received the lucrative contract she would have received if she was and elite 1500 runner.

You realize she is also the NCAA leader in the 1500 by 3 seconds and also won the indoor mile?

Fact checker wrote:

Steeplechase galore wrote:

The steeplechase is not exactly considered an elite event. Many runners who are not fast enough in the 1500 or 5000 become steeplechasers. Highly unlikely she received the lucrative contract she would have received if she was and elite 1500 runner.

You realize she is also the NCAA leader in the 1500 by 3 seconds and also won the indoor mile?

Is being the NCAA leader good enough to be considered elite?

There has been 1 American collegiate runner who has run a faster 1500 than Emma in the last 10 years..pretty elite

The CEO of NB is an ex Consumer Package Goods executive at P&G and Gillette (prior to the acquisition). Look for cross promotions once she gets on board.

When Suzy Favor (Hamilton) first graduated from college she did a sponsorship with the former Clairol company as part of their Olympic sponsorship.

Coburn is ready made for something similar but with P&G and their stable of hair care, skin care, and cosmetic brands.

Sorry NIKE and USATF azzholes, your stranglehold is slipping. Looks like Colorado is the first major program to start defecting from your cult.

C3EPO wrote:

When Suzy Favor (Hamilton) first graduated from college she did a sponsorship with the former Clairol company as part of their Olympic sponsorship.

Suzy Favor could talk me into using Pert shampoo.

Nike spends more on track and field than any other sponsor, and it's good that they support track and field. However, I am glad to see other companies giving Nike competition for athletes. That's also good for the sport.

Emma will do well for NB.

Also, she doesn't train for the Mile or 1500. Imagine when that time comes?

If you have watched her run she is incredibly graceful and has an excellent stride.

I am sure her future potential is not lost on the NB guys

Coburn recently ran 4:06.87 for 1500m. Does anyone really think that is her ceiling for 1500m??

I bet its the other way around. Nike is spread thin (especially after last years Olympic bonuses). NB makes fewer, but more strategic bets and I bet they are big when they do.

People can speculate reasons like training partners and Wetmore's opinion of Nike, but she's a smart girl and probably took the SMARTEST offer.

agip wrote:

well that's good news for jenny simpson - same coach, same location, close enough talent. Probably JBS knew this would happen and that was one reason she went back to boulder.

as someone else pointed out, among simpson, martinez, coburn and probably a few others, NB seems to hire people by looks as much as speed.

Clearly they dont if Jenny Simpson runs for them

Is Maggie Vessey still with New Balance?

Here is my fairly tale about Emma and New Balance.

Once upon a time Cinderella worked really really hard. Never complaining.

Always loyal. Listeneing to those who knew, how to be better.

Then after so much hard work for so many years, Prince Charming galloped up with a very fine slipper. He offered it to her, along with a very large sum of money, and a castle and a plan for a bright and huge future.

Before any other suitors could come by and offer their "glass slipper" to Cinderalla, the deal was done.

Congratulations to Prince Charming for coming forward and making such a nobel and generous offer. And congratulations to Cindrella for finding such a fine Castle.

The End

It's all well and good that she did the deal with New Balance without an agent, but it's my understanding that Diamond League meet directors have been told by the IAAF not to negotiate directly with athletes or coaches...so how is she getting into any Diamond League meets?

The other question is even if she got the New Balance deal without an agent, wouldn't you want to have an attorney look over the contract just to cover yourself?