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Watching Michael Johnson compete as an athlete from 1992-2000, I used to be lucky to interview Michael on a number of events and located him considerate, on level, and never struggling fools.
I used to be there for his gold medals in 1996, each the 200m and 400m. His stumble within the 200 meters was fascinating, and I recall the gold medalist noting that it shook him up. I need to say his semi-final in 1999 in Seville within the 400 meters, the place he ran a World document tempo for the primary 300 meters after which jogged the final 100 meters, in one among my favourite all-time performances.
His growth as a sports activities journalist continues to make me smile. MJ can stir it up on BBC Sports activities, and his columns in British print and digital media have been very good. Michael Johnson challenges the established order, and that’s what he’s doing together with his lengthy tweet on methods to professionalize observe & subject.
One closing observe. I needed to notice that in April 2011, Michael Johnson gave the Shoe Addicts, which consisted of Adam Johson Eder, Mike Deering, and Algernon Felice, their first huge interview when he launched MJ Efficiency. Michael confirmed a whole lot of class, and I by no means acquired to thank him for that. See the interview at backside of this column.
I discovered this tweet final weekend and requested Michael for his permission to reprint it on RunBlogRun. He granted it, and right here we go:
I’m typically requested how I’d enhance observe & subject. Right here it’s.
Enable me to first clarify the issue:
Should you have been to design a sport for achievement in TODAY’s sports activities market, it will look nothing like at the moment’s observe. Observe should be reimagined for TODAY’s sport & leisure market. In my view, championship observe (Olympics, Worlds, and many others.) wants little or no change, if any, so I’m going to concentrate on skilled observe and subject. Growing skilled observe just isn’t the position of federations; they don’t seem to be geared up for the job. A non-public industrial entity centered on profitability should develop skilled observe.
There’s a primary revenue formulation for professional sports activities: QUALITY PRODUCT results in FANS results in MEDIA RIGHTS & SPONSORS results in REVENUE. The athlete performs an essential position on this. GREAT ATHLETES + GOOD COMPETITION = QUALITY PRODUCT. Athletes are key to the product, and income comes again to athletes as compensation from the game itself. Not simply particular person sponsors, as is at present the case.
Followers are essential within the formulation. The present fanbase for observe isn’t ample to garner vital media and sponsor income. You want solely to have a look at present sports activities and leisure traits to know what attracts at the moment’s sports activities followers. However present observe is, in some ways, the precise reverse.
Development: Fast motion vs. Observe: Sluggish motion
Development: Area of interest vs. Observe: Selection
Development: Single story narrative vs. Observe: A number of tales
Development: Competitors/Storytelling vs. Observe: Occasions & data
A for-profit entity centered on profitability would change the construction of the game by conducting market analysis (not from simply present observe followers), using deep sports activities enterprise information, and advertising and marketing, branding, and occasion experience. I don’t know precisely what the analysis would reveal to tell the adjustments, however with my very own expertise in sports activities enterprise and media, I can think about the overall path:
✅10-12 competitions yearly. Presumably 4 Majors, like tennis.
✅Occasions: 100, 200, 400, 800, 1500, 5,000, 100/110HH, 400H, 4×100 relay, 4×400 relay. Solely occasions that may be televised from begin to end WITHOUT INTERRUPTION.
✅Area occasions included provided that they could possibly be reimagined in a quick motion format taking not more than quarter-hour from begin to end, so viewers miss not one of the motion. Primarily based on what the analysis revealed, they could not make it into this system. Observe followers love the variability present of sprinters, runners, jumpers, throwers, and vaulters, however
1) traits recommend most individuals don’t benefit from the selection, and
2) It makes televising, market, and selling the game extraordinarily troublesome.
✅Athletes chosen to compete based mostly 80% on efficiency, 20% on reputation, and embrace solely one of the best of one of the best, no matter nation.
✅Considerably greater look charges than present competitions to ensure key matchups.
In a nutshell, the Professional Observe Sequence would prioritize:
✅Competitors between one of the best of one of the best athletes.
✅Competitors marked by the quick tempo and storytelling to crown a winner.
✅A easy narrative and idea to advertise the game (i.e., The Quickest)
✅Partnering with athletes to showcase personalities and set up followers.
✅Simplification and streamlining of the game.
This requires a money funding, giant by observe requirements however small by professional sports activities requirements. The one option to entice media and sponsors is by amassing a big and rising fanbase to show the game has modified, has stepped out of the shadow of the Olympics, and is value their funding. No tv community or sponsor will spend money on an current sport with a small and shrinking viewers. FIRST, YOU GET THE FANS, THEN YOU GET MEDIA AND SPONSORS.
Backside line: Observe wants personal funding and skilled sport enterprise professionals to reimagine the skilled part of the game and let WA and USATF concentrate on governance of the game and organizing championships.
For additional studying:
It is a gem, from our associates at Athletics Weekly, with Michael Johnson talking on the ability of sports activities: https://athleticsweekly.com/athletics-news/michael-johnson-sport-power-1039930516/
Interview with MJ, Spire Institute, April 2011: Shoe Addicts Current, RBR Interview Michael Johnson.
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