On Twitter today, Michael Johnson shared his ideas for how he would improve track and field. Here’s what he posted:
I'm often asked how I would improve track & field. Here it is.
Allow me to first explain the problem:
If you were to design a sport for success in TODAY’s sports market, it would look nothing like today's track. Track must be reimagined for TODAY’s sport & entertainment market. In my opinion championship track (Olympics, Worlds, etc.) needs very little change if any, so I’m going to focus on professional track and field. Developing professional track is not the role of federations and they are not equipped for the job. Professional track must be developed by a private commercial entity focused on profitability.
There is a basic profit formula for pro sports: QUALITY PRODUCT leads to FANS leads to MEDIA RIGHTS & SPONSORS leads to REVENUE. The athlete plays an important role in this. GREAT ATHLETES + GOOD COMPETITION = QUALITY PRODUCT. Athletes are key to the product and revenue comes back to athletes as compensation from the sport itself. Not just individual sponsors, as is currently the case.
Fans are critical in the formula. The current fanbase for track isn’t sufficient to garner significant media and sponsor revenue. You need only to look at current sport and entertainment trends to know what attracts today’s sport fans. But current track is in many ways is the exact opposite.
Trend: Quick action vs. Track: Slow action
Trend: Niche vs. Track: Variety
Trend: Single story narrative vs. Track: Multiple stories
Trend: Competition/Storytelling vs. Track: Times & records
A for profit entity focused on profitability would change the structure of the sport by conducting market research (not from just current track fans), employing deep sports business knowledge, along with marketing, branding, and event expertise. I don't know exactly what the research would reveal to inform the changes, but with my own experience in sports business and media I can imagine the general direction:
✅10-12 competitions annually. Possibly 4 Majors, like tennis.
✅Events: 100, 200, 400, 800, 1500, 5,000, 100/110HH, 400H, 4x100 relay, 4x400 relay. Only events that can be televised from start to finish WITHOUT INTERRUPTION.
✅Field events included only if they could be reimagined in a fast action format taking no more than 15 minutes start to finish so viewers miss none of the action. Even still, based on what the research revealed, they still may not make into the program. Track fans love the variety show of sprinters, runners, jumpers, throwers, and vaulters, but 1) trends suggest most people do not enjoy the variety, and 2) it makes the sport extremely difficult to televise, market, and promote.
✅Athletes selected to compete based 80% on performance, 20% on popularity, and include only the best of the best, regardless of country.
✅Significantly higher appearance fees than current competitions, to guarantee key matchups.
In a nutshell the Pro Track Series would prioritize:
✅Competition between the best of the best athletes.
✅Competition marked by fast pace and storytelling to crown a winner.
✅A simple narrative and concept to promote the sport (i.e., The Fastest)
✅Partnering with athletes to showcase personalities and establish fans.
✅Simplification and streamlining of the sport.
This requires a cash investment large by track standards but small by pro sport standards. The only way to attract media and sponsors is through amassing a large and growing fanbase to prove the sport has changed, has stepped out of the shadow of the Olympics, and is worthy of their investment. No television network or sponsor will invest in an existing sport with a small and shrinking audience. FIRST YOU GET THE FANS, THEN YOU GET MEDIA AND SPONSORS.
Bottom line: Track needs private investment and experienced sport business professionals to reimagine the professional component of the sport and let WA and USATF focus on governance of the sport and organizing championships.
@CitiusMag
@RaesTake
@Track_Gazette
@travismillerx13
@TheRealMerb
What do you all think? I’ll share some of my thoughts in my next post.