Yes, I think this is one reason why pro triathletes might benefit from some type of union. I know it has been talked about and even attempted before. I don’t think it’s ever been successful on the athlete’s end though. The confidentiality thing is something I’ve always wondered about too. Why would it be such a bad thing for pro triathletes (and even sponsors) to discuss these things honestly and openly? Sponsors can’t seriously be scared that triathlon salaries will escalate out of control like they have in bigger sports, right? Most of the pro contracts I’ve seen have been… here’s the offer, take it or leave it.
Some of the reason could be that the elite folks at the Ironman distance just don’t race (compete) as much as a cyclist or “ball sport” people do. So because of this there is limited exposure for the brand in question. For instance, when is the last time Wellington raced? Wasn’t it Kona? One poorly timed accident could cost some one like her bascially a full year of exposure. Not good odds from a sponsorship standpoint.
My wife has had a couple of pro podium finishes in 70.3 races and all she was able to get this year was a pro deal.
I still think that the pros making money from the bike companies are few and far between. I wish it could be better but unfortunately this will not be the case for a while. I think it will take more Chrissie Wellingtons to increase the popularity and make the different compagnies fight over signing contracts to increase any money given to pros.
derek
That is the way to go, your own brand that is. It is done in many other sports and I could list examples. Craig Watson and his wife are an example with ‘Kiwami’ trisuits.
Mindyou making your own brand would take time and a fair bit of effort.
I have looked up ‘under armor’ a few times but didn’t see it as that big(yet).
Nike and Ascics look to be very big and profiatble companies and a good contract with them sounds good. It is interesting how these companies look to go for alot of top pros rather than just pick a couple.
Disclosing of salaries in general is something I have discussed with other business minded people. It seems the wealthy countries and better industries will quite openly advertise the salaries in worldwide publications. the very poorly paid professions or poor performers many times don’t advertise the salaries offered(for good reason).
I am sure it is more complicated that just what I have said above though.
G.
While I’m sure the bike sponsor is not keeping the number secret, they are not going to start bragging about landing a $100K athlete in the same way a baseball team would brag about landing a $10 million per year pitcher. \
That is part of the situation because a bike sponsor does not want the public at large to think an athlete is only riding their bike because they pay them so much. It detracts from the product itself. And what Chrissie is doing is exactly what a sponsor want, dont talk about the money, but talk about how great the bike is. Same goes for any product that an athlete uses…We all know about big time athletes salaries, but what about their Nike contracts?? Or thier other sponsorship deals?? Those are not so public. In our sport, there are very few that actually get salaries from a team budget, like other pro sports…It would be better to compare them to other endurance sports. So what exactly does Phelps, Lance, or any of the top runners get from their sponsors?? I bet that is not common knowledge either, just like the triathlete deals…
not entirely true. The amount that Nike pays out in endorsements is disclosed. Some of it may be due to the fact that the numbers are so large and they are a publicly traded company. According to this article, they paid out $476 million in endorsements in 2006. If you click through the article, it mentions specific amounts for certain athletes. (lebron $13M, tiger $20M plus, brazilian soccer $12M)
Thats why i would think most contracts would be incentive laden. Say a few free bikes and some $$ to a top pro, but way more $$ for big wins and course records. One pro I knew I think got bonuses fr appearances in magazines and articles (might be wrong it was a few years ago.)
For CW its a risk for cannondale. If she gets sick and does poorly at Kone cannondale will suffer (wont put them out of business obviously, but on forums like this they will get killed).
Conversely look at Kubota. I forget which rider won Kona on Kubota but the next year its presence at races jumped a lot.
Styrrell
I just don’t get why its such a mystery.
There is no real mystery. The reality is that very little money changes hands. There are very few Pro triathletes that have what I would consider serious professional contracts with equipment suppliers of the kind that we are talking about here. Chrissie Wellington is in this small group at the very top. The norm is free product or even a Pro deal of some form( ie paying for the product, albeit at a good discount) and some form of performance bonus.
There are very few triathletes making a living off of triathlon in the traditional way - pay from sponsors and race winnings. Maybe in the non-ITU world, about 20. That’s it. There are athletes who finished in the top 10 at IMH last year and likely lost money over the course of the year or just broke even.
For CW its a risk for cannondale. If she gets sick and does poorly at Kone cannondale will suffer (wont put them out of business obviously, but on forums like this they will get killed). You could say this about any contact in any sport.
Conversely look at Kubota. I forget which rider won Kona on Kubota but the next year its presence at races jumped a lot. Someone won Kona on a tractor? Getter’ done!!!
I think this is funny…they don’t want it turning into basketball, football, and baseball contracts where a player/athletes are always one-upping each other. This would drive the prices way up. Once you get one company to pay, it turns into the going rate for an athlete at “x” level. Just like in baseball, if an athlete has “x” stats and get’s paid 100 million/yr for 6 years, another athlete with similar stats will want a contract for the same amount.
You are comparing apples to oranges. Pro “ball” type players are negotiating employment contracts. The team owners are dependent on the quality of the player for their financial success. Even then, their contract amount is dependent on the amount of money they add to the team over player “B”. Players have more bargaining power in employment because - no players - no income.
Sponsorship is an entirely different ball game. Sponsorship is optional to selling a product. ABC Bike Company will still sell bikes without a sponsored athlete. ABC bikes will decide what it feels the added value of triathlete “A” is to their sales and be limited to that amount. The amount offered is based on marketing as much as “results”. A sponsored athlete does not have as much of a bargaining chip on his side.
Conversely look at Kubota. I forget which rider won Kona on Kubota but the next year its presence at races jumped a lot. Someone won Kona on a tractor? Getter’ done!!!
I hope they were wearing Carharts
is that just a Maine thing or do they have those other places?
a bike sponsor does not want the public at large to think an athlete is only riding their bike because they pay them so much. It detracts from the product itself This seems to me the answer. Bike companies would want you to talk about how fast someone rides on their bike, not how much they are paying someone to ride on their bike.
One poorly timed accident could cost some one like her bascially a full year of exposure. Not good odds from a sponsorship standpoint.
Isn’t that the same way with any athlete?