Dwight is living in a fantasy world to some degree. The media does not pay for news, except to the extent that they pour resources (i.e. travel budgets, subscriptions to news feeds) and salaries to journalists towards getting the story. Does the New York Times pay Trump and Obama to cover them? No.
On the other hand, images are a different matter. For example, if you try to make money off of images of Keith Richards for example, or Jerry Garcia, you will certainly hear from the lawyers of the Stones or the Dead. So, as is often the case, those with the biggest lawyer budget carry the day.
In conclusion, the running/track media owes nothin' to Dwight Phillips. If he wants to get paid for his image, he can lawyer up like everyone else.