Well I haven't received the latest market polls regarding the Nike consumer sentiment so I simply eye-balled it with a standard deviation of +/- 1% and therefore had to qualify it with a probably.
Since I don't work for Nike, I can cannot verify what their intentions are, but I can "think" what they may be.
Long term deals represent a long term commitment for the future. The fact that Nike is the only company making this commitment to track after 30 years tells me something.
Yes, more recognition by the casual fan is the only goal, if you want to see B level runners make more than $15,000 per year.
You seem to be clueless about how a sport is created. You seem even more clueless about the impact that a high level earner can bring to the journeyman who just wants to have a job for a few years and if they are capable will do other things for the rest of the lives.