US Postal Service

Even though the USPS falls under the govt umbrella, they are self-sustainging and do not receive tax $. The only time they would get money is if they needed to get bailed out, like the railroads do.

With that said... yeah, why the hell don't they give some love to the track athletes.

Lets think about this for a second. Who do you think would get the USPS more publicity and coverage? The equivalent of hansons or the farm team, or the USPS cycling team with one of the most respected PEOPLE (he transcends purely being just an athlete) in the world. The USPS is definitely getting the most bang for their buck by sponsoring Lance and USPS. Sorry to say it, but even Marion Jones, Maurice Greene, Webb, Ritz, Kennedy, and all the other big U.S. stars put together couldn't match the clout of Lance. Combine that with Hincapie, Barry, Casey, and other riders from the team and it is very tough for track to compete with.

?, are you late of the group the mysterians? anywho, nobody needs to post after your reply. it succinctly puts the USPS query to bed.

Sounds like somebody should be posting on letscycle.com I find it hilarious that anybody would think that the USPS gets positive advertising returns from sponsoring Lance and his posse. I mean I know that the post office offers all these other services...but the fact remains, I need to mail something, I go to the Post Office. Whether or not Lance Armstrong wears their jersey in the Tour De France is going to have no bearing on that fact. Bill is due...put stamp on..drop in mailbox...

????, last I looked, the USPS had competition. A positive image and connection w/one of the world's most recognizable figures is going to help their cause maybe a little.

Having never been to Europe, I don't know for sure, but I heard that the USPS competes with other shippers in Europe when people are selecting who to use when sending things to the US. Given that most of the cycling team's races are in Europe, it makes sense to advertise where your potential customer base is located.

USPS advertises primarily to draw attention to their premium overnight and parcel services. They compete directly with FedEx, UPS, DHL, Airborne, and others.

the US Postal Service makes a ton of money in profits already. The reason they (like most government agencies that make money) claim that they don't have enough money is because their profits are directed to the federal government first. There it gets lost in the beaurocratic cycle, before a little piece of it gets returned to the Postal Service to cover costs, and usually this isn't enough.

This is akin to the recent MTA budget problems in NYC (for those of you who have been paying attention to that). The NYC Metro department brings in over $10 Million a day, much more than costs. However, they don't get to keep any, as it gets immediately sent to the state government in Albany, which only gives NYC it's "share" of its own money. Because their "share" isn't big enough to pay costs, they claim that they don't make enough money and need to raise the cost of a trip on the subway. A lot of political b.s., that's all it is.

I think the gov't just gave them a couple bill(ion)s not too long ago for major shortages.

Just more political bs, I guess.

Every time I lick a stamp I think of Lance and say to myself that I'm lucky to have seen those ads or I never would have thought of using the USPS.

Shouldn't Masback or someone go after these people and ask,"What about me?"

I'm sure this will be on Masback's to do list once he decides on a name for the mascot. He's got way more important things on his plate than to worry about how to raise funding and increase exposure of Track & Field.

I read somewhere that the USPS is actually no longer a government agency. They retain the US moniker, but are actually run without govenment intervention. I know the gov't still bails them out, but I believe they are private or semi-private. I am too lazy to look it up on the net. Is this true? Can anyone give insight on this? I'm looking for fact, not opinion. Thanks.

I've never heard of the government privatizing anything. The government grows by leaps and bounds every year, taking over more companies and jobs - never giving back anything to the individuals who create these things.

I was under the impression that the USPS sponsored a team before Lance came along. It's just that when he was looking to get back into the game again, they were the only ones willing to give him a chance. I'm prepared to be corrected, however.

No doubt that their investment paid off, at least relatively speaking.

Other than naming to the mascot with the big nose, what is more important than raising money? He is out of the drug testing business.

Don't forget about those ass kissing, er, insightful articles he pens for RWOL.

I feel like elaborating.

I look forward to his "state of the sport" messages on RWOL. He goes to a high school XC meet, sees some kids having a good time and then declares that the sport is "healthy". Our sprinters get a few medals, the sport is "thriving". We buy a stupid mascot and the sport is "connecting" with fans. We bust one minor drug offender who popped a Sudafed two days prior to a meet and the sport is a "pillar of virtue".

Masback wants us all to believe that track has never been better. I can't wait to see how he spins "the world's fastest couple" working out with one of track's most notorious cheats.

I'll spin it for you... "Tim and Marion are 'reaching out' to our Canadian Bretheren in an effort to 'unify' the North American Continent as USATF embarks on what is sure to be the most exciting times in our sports history."