Precious Roy wrote:
I really like the idea of runners looking directly to fans for financial support by giving them some inside access to training logs, etc. The sport has been too dependent on the running shoe industry for sponsorship and the shoe industry has proven themselves as being incapable of finding and supporting new talent or continuing support for accomplished athletes who have had some bumps in the road.
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Congrats , best stupid post of 2014 !
Without the shoe industry there would be no sport as we know it for athletes. Shoe companies have sponsored events , athletes , clubs , colleges , youth programs , developed footwear for every segment of competition and training.
Companies are doing fine with recruiting new young talent , its not perfect and a few slip through the cracks and have to race to get noticed , the system works.
Older athletes that become inconsistent for whatever reasons loose value and when it comes time to renew a contract its often less than what they think their true value is. Ego has a funny way of trumping reality.
Our biggest miss is USATF not having a funded program for the developing athletes that is not so shoe company centric. They might also look at a mentor support program of older athletes that could help the younger developing athletes.