Webb signs with Nike - big article in USA Today

Who's getting shafted? How many of them ran a 3:53 in High School? Nobodies getting shafted, quit bitching.

i didn't read all the post but avg runner is correct.

Sponsers aren't necesarily looking for the fasterst runner. They are looking for people who can bring their company the most money and get their company name out to the to the most people.

Webb already got them a nice big article in a national newspaper. How much would an an that big cost Nike?

Autobahn wrote:

An interesting aside in the article was the fact that Webb's salary is a fraction of a HS basketball player who signs to the pros.

helps elite runners get the respect and financial rewards that they deserve.

Webb's salary is probably less than most star college basketball players.

Clay - Goucher's PR is 13:11 and I agree with you. Let him get his ass on the track and run some fast times. Otherwise he's just another American who may, someday, run fast.

J&SB wrote:

Was I reading between the lines too much or did Holman sound like a bitter, jealous, washed-up old loser?

Memo to Steve "I choked in all the big races" Holman: Why not try encouraging the kid instead of focusing on all the potential negatives?

A comment such as 'nice to see track athletes getting paid. how about some for the other guys/gals' would have been appropriate.

The fact that there is a thread this long about this guy and he's been the focus of a few articles in the paper is the reason he's getting paid. Ritz, for example, would not have gotten this kind of attention - much of it because of his event.

Ex D-1 neverwas wrote:

My experience tells me that college track is a good place to continue your slow buildup after HS. Jumping straight into the fire is ill-advised.

You're absolutely right.

regs,

Hicham, Said, Nouridenne

Man, as far as the Steve Holman comments go, all I can say is that it must suck to have been an elite racer and then get old (he is only 32 though). Everyone, no matter how good they were is at some point called a washed up has been (see Frank Shorter and Alberto Salazar) even if they have recognized they don't have it anymore and then retired. Sure seems unfair to me.

Perhaps Mr. Holman should focus on the positives a bit more with regard to Webb, but he has seen what it is like to race on the professional circuit, so we should at least give him some respect there.

As for losing in races that mattered, all I have to say there is that at least he was in those races. The guy is the third fastest American in the 1500 ever and he gets slammed?

Dude was a stud.

Why would you want Webb to share the wealth with "proven international competitors" who only have the talent to be "also rans" in international competition, people who are thrilled just to make the finals in the Olys or WCs (as well they should be, but it does not increase interest in American distance running among the general public or result in American distance gold).

Webb has shown the potential to WIN Olys or WCs, he was closing on EL-G!!! at Eugene as a HIGH SCHOOL KID, that potential to be another Shorter, Ryun, and better than PRE (but perhaps less charismatic) is worth $$$. Goucher running a 12th place 13:18 on the Euro circuit is commendable, but we all know that he'll never kick down an African in 12:40 in a major competition. That's why he does not deserve the big bucks even if he's a "proven international competitor."

After '96, Holman never underachieved ever again. He won Nationals and was 9th at World's. In addition, he is working on an MBA and is starting a family. Sounds pretty darn close to an American dream, not like a loser.

He placed higher than any American miler has at the WC's has in a long time. In addition, just because a race is won in 3:32 or faster, does not mean it is not racing, regardless of whether a rabbit is running or not.

If what he did was so easy (9th World's, National Champ, 3:50 mile), then why hasn't any other American miler been able to do it all?

How many of you have even ever met this guy or seen him race in person? If you have, you probably noticed how well he handles the whole circus that surrounds him. He had cameras in his face while he tied his shoes before the Pre Mile and stepped up and delivered. I saw him run a negative split 1:47 at the VA state meet and graciously deal with crowds of kids that flocked to him while never looking annoyed. This kid has poise. He just needed a little time to figure out what was best for him. Lets hope he has.

As far is Nike is concerned, they are just risking some decent money on an investment. Like all of you are doing with your 401K's. They may have gotton a great bargain. The names mentioned in the earlier posting are fine athletes but just aren't anywhere near as marketable as Webb. Remember, it is easy to predict failure and much more difficult to predict success. Had anyone picked the Rams, Ravens and Patriots to win the past 3 Super Bowls during the preseason? Webb is the best bet that I have seen.

king99 wrote:but check my rep on Dyestat..it is regal

That, king99, depends solely on who you ask!

It's impossible for some people to consider that Webb may have made the right decision for him and that they are wrong.

What a great post ttc. You really showed him.

Autobahn wrote:

Webb has shown the potential to WIN Olys or WCs, he was closing on EL-G!!! at Eugene as a HIGH SCHOOL KID, that potential to be another Shorter, Ryun, and better than PRE (but perhaps less charismatic) is worth $$$. Goucher running a 12th place 13:18 on the Euro circuit is commendable, but we all know that he'll never kick down an African in 12:40 in a major competition. That's why he does not deserve the big bucks even if he's a "proven international competitor."

PUHLEASSSSE!!! He ran ONE GREAT RACE. EL G ran 3:49 in the race--his FIRST of the YEAR. Webb peaked for the year (maybe life) in that race.

Again...Nike will NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER make their money back on Webb. The market is just not their to make a profit on track specialty wear. Webb's 3:53 won't place him in the top 10 of an international mile outside the U.S.

The high school kids also buy training shoes and apparel as well. You are being too short sighted. It's all about creating brand loyalty and brand identity. That's where the big money is.

You have a very warped perspective about the impact that a track and field personality has.

Portland Runner wrote:

The high school kids also buy training shoes and apparel as well. You are being too short sighted. It's all about creating brand loyalty and brand identity. That's where the big money is.

He was not closing in on El G. He ran a very smart race the first 2 laps. The 3rd lap he got himself situated closer to the front, so maybe he ran that lap faster than El G. However, El G ran the last lap faster than anyone in the race. He was closing in on him in the last lap because he made his move early.

Even so, he never was close to catching El G (maybe within 5 yards). When El G turned it on, he made everyone look like high schoolers.

So Webb ran a 3.53 mile as a high schooler, big deal. He may be a big sell in terms of the US college circuit and the US high school circuit but other than that he is a nobody. I think Nike are banking on him having the same kind of following as a PRE or a Kennedy but his event is just way too competitive. Ok he's young but the attitude of Americans is so isolationist that they should open their eyes to the wider picture. We have Kenyans Webbs age running 3.50's every week on the Europen circuit, aswell as numerous morrocans, algerians, etc... There was a kenyan guy 18, ran 3.30 for 1500 on Friday night. Webb showed potential in the Prefontaine Classic last year, he hasn't built on that progress, and its not like he was in contention during the race, he was picking up the pieces as the race folded in the wake of El G. People need to look at the wider picture, in terms of world Class performances Dathan Ritzenheins performance in the WXC in Ostend was head and shoulders above anything Webb has achieved. Nothing I have seen by Webb has convinced me he is going to be a world player, so he might be the top US miler one day, so what? Its not like the Americans are competitive at the major games over 1500, or have any reputation as a nation of milers. One swallow doesn't make a summer but it seems like in webbs case one race makes a career.

im very happy for webb and wish him best of luck. its about time the sport has someone basically out of high school jump in and make some good money. 6 years guarented is a great thing it is more than first round draft picks in the nba get (3 years) although the money is no even close to those hs and early entries who leave to pursue their dream. with that said i applaud anybody who has the talent and takes a risk out of high school and tries to make it. you may only have one chance to do it so whenever you think that time is, take advantage of the opportunity. lets be realistic 3:53 for an 18 yr old kid is like someone like kevin garnett or ken griffey jumping straight to the pros and being a force right away. i think webb should have left out of hs but the past is the past and hopefully his future will be bright and light a fire under the ass of all milers with the same talent throughout america who are just being soft.