It is easy to find criticism of the size of the pro purses at triathlon events. Both the overall size and the numbers of pros getting paid.
Here you have a list over how much cross country skiers have made after two weekends of racing. The numbers are low since the first weekend, the Kuusamos mini tour compressed three races into one payout. But as you can see, the season has not started properly yet but the payouts are a little higher than triathlon.
You would expect equipment bonuses to come on top of these numbers.
Seriously dude, you have been around here long enough to have seen the dozens of threads on this topic, yet you continue to post this rhetorical stuff.
How can you say they are under paid. They get paid what the market thinks they are worth.
This brings up a interesting question/topic. Perhaps there is an economist or lawyer who could shed some light on the specifics.
In a free market, supply and demand would determine pay and would thus be a good measure of value.
It might be argued, however, that professional triathlon is not a free market. I suspect that WTC would meet an economists definition of a monopoly that is abusing its’ market power, but would not be considered worthy of action by the FTC.
And WTC does a good job managing races.
Americans love there monopolies and think they are the product of a free market. Actually it is quite the opposite.
Unfortunately, I suspect free markets would not work to raise pro-pay anyway. People watch the sports they were brought up with, regardless of how stupid. And mass participation does not mean interest in the winners. More people know that Gordon Ramsey is a triathlete than know that Chris Maccormack is one also.
Maybe Brett Sutton is not quite as crazy as he seems.
One issue is do PROs actually drive more people to the sport. Would an Ironman sell out in 7 minutes if PROs didn’t race? Would people not buy cervelo unless a pro was on it?
I think pro’ s are more popular with people who are already committed to the sport. And where are those people going to go anyway?
Although they do spend a lot. And are not likely to ditch triathlon for cross-fit or the next fad.
Get tv involved in any sport and athletes will be getting paid. End of story
Truth.
And I believe you mean more than once a year on NBC and randomly on other assorted sports channels.
But none the less…truth
NBC doesn’t show the pro race anyways - they show a special on Ironman about Kona and a few random people every year doing the event. This year showed more football on the broadcast than the swim (and more Ward than all the pros combined). Melbourne’s coverage in Australia is way better and showcases all the major pros (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVnMFjBEdec)
One issue is do PROs actually drive more people to the sport. Would an Ironman sell out in 7 minutes if PROs didn’t race? Would people not buy cervelo unless a pro was on it?
I’ll have to take this on. I could not care less what pros sign up for a race. I’ve done the big, crowded race. I’ve no desire to relive it. If the pros are the reason for the crowds, I’d just as well they weren’t there. Don’t get me wrong, I also realize the sport exits in part because of the pros. As for the bike, I also don’t care who’s riding what. I have very nearly pulled the trigger on various lesser known brands (with no pro endorsement) and it had everything to do with warrantee and customer service at my LBS. I own a Cervelo P2 for these reasons. I could not tell you what pro rides one.
I think pro’ s are more popular with people who are already committed to the sport. And where are those people going to go anyway?
Although they do spend a lot. And are not likely to ditch triathlon for cross-fit or the next fad.
Yep. Until professional triathlon is a popular spectator sport with non-athletes professional triathletes aren’t really worth paying much. Major sponsor dollars and TV deals come from the ability to glue millions of eyeballs to the TV, not from athletic effort. Until a random person in the grocery store knows who Lieto is he doesn’t command big dollars for his races.
It might be argued, however, that professional triathlon is not a free market. I suspect that WTC would meet an economists definition of a monopoly that is abusing its’ market power, but would not be considered worthy of action by the FTC.
And WTC does a good job managing races.
If they have a trademark on a particular sport, then it seems like it is a monopoly on a product… just like a patent… that doesn’t have a time limit.
An organizing body can certainly have a major effect on what pros earn, entry fees, etc. Don’t know the details, but I’d wager that the WTC “owners” and organizers pay themselves quite well… milking it for what they can. The racers take whatever they can get and rely mostly on sponsorship.