Breaking -- Nike supports athletes right to organize -- announcement coming

I saw hints of something like this coming after Adam Nelson tweeted recently.

How can Nike NOT respond after that WSJ article. No good for the PR.

If this is the case then they're essentially telling USATF "you're on your own now".

This could be the biggest change in T&F for years. It allows an athlete's union to have real power and demand that USATF and the IAAF allow athletes to have as much sponsorship as they can get and breaking the hold of shoes companies is huge....

HUGE news. Less than 80 years after the right to organize became the law of the land!

Agreed. This could be a true sea change. USATF needs to be a developmental org, not something that runs pros. Hopefully something real will happen here.

I've been unformed that Nike leadership is also considering a statement in opposition to slavery and most forms of forced labor.

Another Insider wrote:

I've been unformed that Nike leadership is also considering a statement in opposition to slavery and most forms of forced labor.

Will Adidas, Brooks, Saucony, New Balance all sign in support?

https://twitter.com/AdamMcNelson

"Thank you to @Max_Siegel for reaching out today and for recognizing the @TrackFieldAA. Lots to discuss, but lines are open."

This is all good news -- Nike made the right choice.

If Siegel is talking -- what they are hoping to achieve is just enough change to placate the athletes.

The athletes have to have the balls (maybe Lauren Fleshman can loan them some) to take this all the way -- and break away from USATF and form their own org where they can get close or over a 50% distribution of funds/profits.

A possible acceptable compromise would be an athletes committee with a voice, and a significant redistribution of funds / funding so there can be a "middle class" of athletes in the developmental / on the rise category in the sport.

Another Insider wrote:

I've been unformed that Nike leadership is also considering a statement in opposition to slavery and most forms of forced labor.

I hope you are put back together.

Two articles are out:

http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303847804579481780567787604?mg=reno64-wsj

http://www.oregonlive.com/trackandfield/index.ssf/2014/04/tfaa_president_adam_nelson_con.html#incart_river

Well i guess 3. USATF sent out a release reminding athletes they are members and actually vote on the bylaws that run the champs:

http://www.usatf.org/News/83-%282%29.aspx

I'm kind of naive here. What does this actually change? Does this really put pressure on USATF to be transparent?

A Duck wrote:

The athletes have to have the balls (maybe Lauren Fleshman can loan them some) to take this all the way --

You've got to be kidding me. You mean the Lauren Fleshman who only decided to speak out against Nike AFTER being off their dime. Oh yeah she is real gutsy.

The title of the USATF press release by Jill Geer, "USATF Statement on Recent Athlete Issues", is completely misleading. These are the USATF's issues that are impacting the athletes. Their inability to acknowledge that they've made mistakes continues to lower their credibility.

Unfortunately, I am losing confidence in this organization as each day passes. My membership expires at year end and unless there are significant changes to the way they govern, I will not renew. I will also advise my athletes and other coaches to boycott USATF. My lone action will not make a dent, but hopefully many of us will ultimately decide that enough is enough and will do their part to influence change.

Ecin wrote:

A Duck wrote:

The athletes have to have the balls (maybe Lauren Fleshman can loan them some) to take this all the way --

You've got to be kidding me. You mean the Lauren Fleshman who only decided to speak out against Nike AFTER being off their dime. Oh yeah she is real gutsy.

I think you're missing a reference to this:

A Duck wrote:

This is all good news -- Nike made the right choice.

If Siegel is talking -- what they are hoping to achieve is just enough change to placate the athletes.

The athletes have to have the balls (maybe Lauren Fleshman can loan them some) to take this all the way -- and break away from USATF and form their own org where they can get close or over a 50% distribution of funds/profits.

A possible acceptable compromise would be an athletes committee with a voice, and a significant redistribution of funds / funding so there can be a "middle class" of athletes in the developmental / on the rise category in the sport.

The basic issue at hand is there is no accountability what so ever. Hightower , Max none of the so called executive group can be held accountable. Without accountability they USATF can continue to do what they want.

The athletes have a toothless bite , zero power to do anything expect complain on the sidelines , no real organizational strength to bring change. The big sponsors could demand accountability but won't . USATF is clearly in violation of of an ethics clause ( contractual obligation ) and or shown a lack of leadership for the USTAF brand by letting the spin take on a life of its own. Sponsors could pull funding until a senior USATF management change takes place. The USTAF board has completely puts its head into the sand.