That opportunity will be short lived and Lance will extract the premium proceeds, as a result WTC will see little benefit. Further, that benefit will do nothing to improve its value (remember its owned by private equity, which wants to grow and sell) in the eyes of the marketplace that matters. WTC is not going to pave the way for Lance to simply walk-in, line up next to the pros, and race unless he has a pro-card and has qualified through their system (possible, but seems remote). If WTC is not going to benefit financially in the long run, and no one has articulated a basis for how it will, then Lance will race with the AGers (again if he qualifies) and life will go on.

Lance is in the business of Lance, not in helping others make money off him.

Show me how WTC makes more money and we will have something to discuss. Maybe you can start by outlining the long term positive impact for the New York City Marathon of having Lance participate; that should take you a while.

As opposed to so many other people out there that aren't out for number 1.

Whatever dude. Keep swingin' tarzan. Even more ifs and buts associated with LA's lack of a decent run.

Seriously? How many of us got into this sport solely because of the NBC broadcast of Kona? Advertised correctly and how many more people could see Lance race? thousands? Hundred thousand? How many of those then want to race an Ironman? I can't help it if you are short sighted.

Exactly.

But, but. but.... I can feel the excuses coming already.

I only read a couple of the posts so excuse me if I am repeating what someone else stated or missed the point of this but here's something to chew on:

WTC can make more money in the short term simply by selling more advertising space for their event coverage, broadcast, etc. They can attract additional sponsors that are outside the world of triathlon. Even if it is for 1 year as the sponsors are trying to cash in on the publicity, media, awareness that Lance will bring on the media side of things, WTC can see the beginnings of a longer relationship.

Where are they going to put the races? There is very little capacity. These people end up putting money into the pockets of other race management organizations; that is bad for WTC. I can't help it if you are naive.

I sure hope they will let Michael Phelps race Kona as a pro. He has proved as much in IM triathlon as LA has. Oh wait, I forgot, only the bike matters here on ST. And Ryan Hall too.

Yeah, you're correct. There is no money in licensing.

How much Ironman toothpaste have you bought?

I am not currently their customer base. But you are getting the idea now....

Yes, I see Livestrong/Ironman toothpaste/mouthwash combo packs at Costco being a huge hit.

yup, the Ironman Expo does really poorly. As does the Timex Ironman watches.

I think it is funny you believe this. Ironman sells so little licensed product that it doesn't even show up in IRI data.

Which brings us back to my original point of expansion = more customers = more money (potentially).
Obviously your mind is made up so I won't waste me time.

I believe Livestrong. com is owned by Nike.
Here is a video of the swim finish:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiUXTm7Ni0A

I believe WTC pays out $$ to have Kona broadcast on NBC.
Put Lance on the start line and I suspect they now have a product to sell to the networks.

I'm sure Lance knows this. He charge the Tour Down Under $2M to appear. What do you think he would charge WTC?

I'm not sure what your point is. Michael Phelps is not training to be a triathlete. Nor does he have a history as a triathlete. Nor has he run a marathon in the past few years (that i'm aware of) nor has he trained on his bike. This isn't really a comparison is it.

Livestrong.com is owned by Demand Media - who also own eHow.com, etc...

Livestrong.com is a for-profit website that pulls content that they think appeal to the Livestrong audience and sells advertising space on the site and takes revenue from links on the site.

Lance and LAF reportedly have an ownership of livestrong.com but also receive money from Demand Media for licensing the Livestrong name.

Do you understand that a 501(c)(3) can have a profit? They do not have to pay out everything they bring in.

Apparently you missed the title of this thread and the associating results by the man you love to hate (hate him or love him, he can swim). Or have missed the seven tours he won. Or, more importantly, have apparently forgotten how he got his start in cycling (triathlon if your memory is too minimal in capacity).

A man that is dedicated enough to put in the time, energy and potentially have doped (an example of a win at all costs type of attitude) to win seven tours can surely compete in kona if he puts his mind to it given his background. I'm not sure how you can even argue that legitimately apart from repeatedly telling everyone how you've just thrown up in your mouth. That makes sense though given your handle.

Its taxing to hate so much...let it go.

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"One Line Robert"

Yes, I do understand that....geez...this isn't a 501C discussion. The guy I originally responded to was insinuating that Lance profits from LAF and Livestrong.org.....He does not. Just because a 501c can make a profit (duh) doesn't mean they can distribute that profit however they want...as he was stating. Enough of the thread jack,....I just wanted to point out that I felt his opinion was wrong about Lances motivation. Using the word "profit" was incorrect in that context. Let's get back to Lance winning multiple Ironman's and swimming with Andy Potts...much more entertaining.

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I'm faster in Kilometers!
Wattie Ink Triathlon Team
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Don't hate LA at all, unless he turns out to be a cheat, but the jury is still out on that. I'm actually enormously impressed by his ability to run sub-3 after 20 years of doing nothing but cycling. Amazing actually. What I find nauseating is the fanboyism for someone who has yet to do a tri. People are talking about him as though he could win, yet hasn't shown the ability to run decent despite doing it for the past 3 years (no, 2:46 open marathon is not decent for a world class endurance athlete, it's pedestrian). My point is that Michael Phelps, whose accomplishments in the pool are every bit as impressive in LA's on the bike, has proven as much in the Ironman arena as LA, which to say is nothing at all. Nothing. 1 disciplines does not a World Champion make, 2 disciplines does not a champion make, and even 3 disciplines does not a champion make unless you can keep your nutrition down and put it all together race day. And don't even try to convince me that fueling in a 3-5 hour a day stage race is remotely similar to fueling in an even that goes over 8 hours, where the last 3 or so are running.

LA - one of the top 5 greatest cyclists ever (if it is not eventually proven he was dirty), excellent swimmer, mediocre runner, and not a triathlete. Oh but I forgot, he will win Kona this fall. What an amazing level of delusion!