I have a concern about Elite Athletes

[Bruce Caldwell]

It seems that USATF & Major shoe manufacturers wish not to have a lot of sponsors logos on the athletes jackets, as they do not wish the meets to look like NASCAR driver uniforms. I say the USTAF rule of only allowing 2 sponsor logos on the uniform is holding track and field back from growing and being what it really can be.
I move that we amend this rule and allow more sponsor so that track and field athletes can grow and train and make track what it really needs to be.
And also any shoe company contract with an athlete should not be allowed to restrict athletes from having other sponsors. Why should shoe companies have such a monopoly?
There are many sponsors wanting to be a part of the athlete’s Olympic dream why are we holding these sponsors back?
If the shoe companies went for volume of athletes to get more exposure, they could spend less money and gain more exposure and we could have more athletes supported and the allowance of additional sponsors would give track and field the boast it needs to build its foundation.
As long as we have rule to allow such exclusivity we as a community lose.
I invite more opinions
Bruce Caldwell

[rainbowgirl28]

It seems that USATF & Major shoe manufacturers wish not to have a lot of sponsors logos on the athletes jackets, as they do not wish the meets to look like NASCAR driver uniforms. I say the USTAF rule of only allowing 2 sponsor logos on the uniform is holding track and field back from growing and being what it really can be.
I move that we amend this rule and allow more sponsor so that track and field athletes can grow and train and make track what it really needs to be.

The rule actually comes from the USOC and is mainly enforced at Olympic Trials, I don't think USATF could change it even if they wanted to.

I think athletes can wear whatever they want on their singlets in just about any meet except Olympic Trials and any IAAF permit meets (well probably any meet that is televised). I remember looking for logo restrictions in the rules for non-Olympic Trials national championships and not finding it. USATF probably does have something in place, but I think they only strictly enforce the rule at Trials.

And also any shoe company contract with an athlete should not be allowed to restrict athletes from having other sponsors. Why should shoe companies have such a monopoly?

Well, I agree with you, but it's a free market and athletes choose whether or not to accept the contract. I don't think USATF has the legal authority to tell Nike what to put in their contracts.

If sponsors like Honda, Mazda, Visa, etc, were actually putting up money anymore, athletes would be less likely to sign a contract that limited them to one sponsor.

There are many sponsors wanting to be a part of the athlete’s Olympic dream why are we holding these sponsors back?

There are tons of elite athletes who are unsponsored. Find me a company that wants to spend money and I can show them places to invest it.

If the shoe companies went for volume of athletes to get more exposure, they could spend less money and gain more exposure and we could have more athletes supported and the allowance of additional sponsors would give track and field the boast it needs to build its foundation.

Most track athletes "sponsored" by the major shoe companies aren't making much money these days. Contracts tend to be heavy in swag and light in actual money, even for guys like Brad Walker. You could argue that they could spend less money on sprinters, but these are the athletes getting the biggest piece of the television pie. It's driven by the market.

[Bruce Caldwell]

It is a 2 sponsor rule for track ATHLETES you maybe correct it is probably a USOC rule. but the rule does not help the athetes. Swag should not be contractual to limit the athlete to one sponsor.
Many companies would love to sponsor athletes but the sponsorship amount is far too much for one company to bare.

I provide up to and over $5,000 in poles to major top athletes and the logo is not allowed as the shoe companies are contractually locking up the athetes on the sponsors they can wear on their warm-up suits and clothing!
The system is wack and needs some serious opposition.
Bruce Caldwell

[littlebigboy]

Maybe its time to have USATF and some people with clout talk to the Olympic Committee. Whats wrong with the nascar idea if it promotes T & F world wide. Most other countries athletes are supported by their Govs. we get SQUAT in comparison.

[SlickVT]

As in cycling, alot of sponsors are very hesitant to dip into track because of all of the cheaters that are participating.

People like Marion Jones along with the other countless athletes that are doping right now make it impossible for hard working people to make it in a sport where major sponsors pay cheaters, and when they get caught, smaller sponsors don't sponsor other athletes.

[KLocke]

I would not be concerned. The folks you want to attract are those who are purchasing PV equipment. That "population" is interested in what pole the "elite athlete" is jumping on.

[achtungpv]

If you go to the website of any elite European vaulter they are usually sponsored by a variety of companies including a shoe company. The shoe contract probably just stipulates they can't alter their uniforms and by default can't add additional sponsor logos to it. Doesn't seem to be an issue with them getting multiple sponsorships. Of course, I may not have a clue what I'm talking about.

Maybe Andrej can elaborate on what the situation is like for the euro vaulters.

[KLocke]

They can wear whatever they want. Multi-logos except in IAAF GP meetings. Otherwise, technical delegate requires you to tape the additional logo. That does not look good at all.

If you go to the website of any elite European vaulter they are usually sponsored by a variety of companies including a shoe company. The shoe contract probably just stipulates they can't alter their uniforms and by default can't add additional sponsor logos to it. Doesn't seem to be an issue with them getting multiple sponsorships. Of course, I may not have a clue what I'm talking about.

Maybe Andrej can elaborate on what the situation is like for the euro vaulters.

[rainbowgirl28]

Maybe its time to have USATF and some people with clout talk to the Olympic Committee. Whats wrong with the nascar idea if it promotes T & F world wide. Most other countries athletes are supported by their Govs. we get SQUAT in comparison.

It's also an IAAF rule (hence the restrictions at IAAF meets). It probably goes back to the IOC. So not something that is easy to change. It's not something USATF really has much say in.

[rainbowgirl28]

It is a 2 sponsor rule for track ATHLETES you maybe correct it is probably a USOC rule. but the rule does not help the athetes. Swag should not be contractual to limit the athlete to one sponsor.
Many companies would love to sponsor athletes but the sponsorship amount is far too much for one company to bare.

You might be getting confused with the system USATF has that allows an athlete to represent one sponsor and one track club in a meet (but most sponsored athletes cannot represent a track club because most shoe companies prohibit that).

You can only pick one to officially represent in the results, but USATF certainly does not stop athletes from having other sponsors, the rules just make it more difficult for the athletes to give the sponsors incentive.

I provide up to and over $5,000 in poles to major top athletes and the logo is not allowed as the shoe companies are contractually locking up the athetes on the sponsors they can wear on their warm-up suits and clothing!
The system is wack and needs some serious opposition.
Bruce Caldwell

The problem is that you are just providing swag. If you could compete and offer as much money as the shoe companies, there is nothing to prevent an athlete from competing for ESSX. I bet you could even get an emerging elite with no sponsor to do it for a fairly low cost. All you have to do is register with USATF. I did it with Brian.

USATF isn't prohibiting you from doing this, (I assume) you're just not a big enough business with enough extra cash to make it viable.

Shoe companies and pole manufacturers help elites a great deal by providing swag, but at the end of the day most people still need to pay rent and buy groceries.

[Bruce Caldwell]

The application was filed properly with Houston TX association online. The girl there said they had a sponsor for track that was a competitor of mine and that she needed to send my application and fee back. I am not sure she knew what she was talking about. The amount of time it took them was 2 months and the meet was over.
It was when Adam Keul had gotten his transportation, poles and uniform from me ( more than sag) and he wanted to show his appreciation at the USATF Meet.
With me it has been more than swag,
I have let people stay at my home, given help with transportation, hats, polo shirts, pole bags, helped with hotels, picked up athetes lunch tabs at meets, provided technical help, ETC.

Of course pole companies are not doing the volume of the shoe companies.
There is not a lot of money in the pole business. Even a company that carries a full track line will have to struggle.
There is a big gap between shoe companies and track companies and many other companies that could sponsor at a different level that could and are bigger than track companies but smaller than shoe companies. (Shoe companies do 30 to 60 million in sales) Track companies do $1 million to 5 million or more).
Neither is a company like Jared jewelry, In & out Hamburger chain, deodorant companies, hair product companies, Pei Wei Asian Diners, Salt grass Steak house. Logan steak house, Grocery stores, 7-11, But as long as you have a rule that stifle the ability to bring these type of businesses in the loop you will only get top athletes sponsorship and the emerging athlete must foot the bill until they hit the big time.
I still say there is a problem here it is not just my problem it is everyone’s problem and I am not going to let it go. We can say all you want it is the way things are and dismiss it or you can stand and fight for what is right.

I do not want to hear from those that feel it is a waste of time to fight, I want to hear from those who feel it is a worth while effort and needed to keep Track alive.
We let far too many people talk us down and we need to stand up to negative things that harm Track & field. There will always be a bad apple in the basket we need to throw the apple out and stand for up for things to help us grow.

But I think we need to lobby to have the rule changed in order to save Track & field, I need more people to stand with me. I assure you this is not a benefit just for me; it is a benefit for everyone who believes track & field should grow! We all cannot take the burden of responsibility of actions other people do to harm Track & Field. We must stand to be the exception and to show that we all are not taking drugs, not cheating and are adult enough to manage our own organization.
I believe, having more sponsors of different levels is the key to building track and field.
They should allow
2 GOLD level sponsors $1,000 to $5,000
5 SILVER level Sponsor $500 to $1,000
10 BRONZE level $100 to $500

So you can have $5,000 TO $20,000 to help you build your training and have more opportunities to accomplish more. Beside many World Class potential athlete may have never competed past college due to funds!
ok SO NOW THINK OF THE POSSIBILITIES!!!
Do you want to be at the trials labelled UNATTACHED?


Bruce Caldwell

[keulpv]

I am glad we have brought this up. Bruce has helped out us elites (with poles , etc) who haven't reached the upper echelon of sponsorship. I wish other companies (even track and field) would take his lead. It just feels more rewarding to show up at the national championships with someone else backing you who believes in you. "Unattached" can seem kind of empty when you are going up against global powerhouses like Nike. I think we should make it a goal as a community to not have one unattached athlete at the Trials. We are a large community, and we can certainly put a uniform on all of our elite athletes!

Thanks Bruce
AK