LetsRun note: We have seen no evidence that there was a podcast where Valby said this. So we are locking this thread to new posts and changing the title adding FALSE at the start.
I’m not sure why people are so surprised. She’s very injury prone. She’ll have a hard time training on the ground as a pro. It’s not worth it. Especially if she has other passions
She's rich so she doesn't have to do anything she doesn't want to. Maybe she'll keep racing but not attached to any brand, so she can do it the way she wants to.
She obviously cannot run as a pro running 30 mpw. She has to get passed her injuries, which is going to be tough because she never really got a diagnosis on the nerve issue. But she has made progress and who knows where she will be this summer at the US trials. If she makes the Olympic team, she will definitely turn pro because Nike is going to write her a huge check. If she is broken down at the end of the collegiate season and cannot run the trials, then it is hard to imagine how she could turn pro after her senior year.
She obviously cannot run as a pro running 30 mpw. She has to get passed her injuries, which is going to be tough because she never really got a diagnosis on the nerve issue. But she has made progress and who knows where she will be this summer at the US trials. If she makes the Olympic team, she will definitely turn pro because Nike is going to write her a huge check. If she is broken down at the end of the collegiate season and cannot run the trials, then it is hard to imagine how she could turn pro after her senior year.
How large of a check will Nike really write? Their track sponsorships have been on a downturn over the past few years and it's actually gotten quite bad recently. Also, they have always been huge on bonuses over base salary.
From the interviews I’ve seen with her, she seems to speak in extremes. For example, she’s either on the verge of quitting running or she’s winning an ncaa title & signing an nil deal. Even going into this past xc nationals where she was undefeated all season, she told herself going in she had no chance in winning. Then she breaks the 5k indoor record after telling herself she’d be lucky to run 15:20s. Her pattern of self doubt might explain why she’s publicly stated she won’t turn pro. She might be telling herself she’s not good enough or durable enough to go pro but that doesn’t mean much bc she usually ends up doing the opposite of what she says.
She obviously cannot run as a pro running 30 mpw. She has to get passed her injuries, which is going to be tough because she never really got a diagnosis on the nerve issue. But she has made progress and who knows where she will be this summer at the US trials. If she makes the Olympic team, she will definitely turn pro because Nike is going to write her a huge check. If she is broken down at the end of the collegiate season and cannot run the trials, then it is hard to imagine how she could turn pro after her senior year.
How large of a check will Nike really write? Their track sponsorships have been on a downturn over the past few years and it's actually gotten quite bad recently. Also, they have always been huge on bonuses over base salary.
That's correct. I know someone who was a Nike runner until recently, and the amount of money that Nike pays now is significantly less than they used to pay.
Only a global superstar like Athing Mu or Sha'Carri Richardson still gets paid very well. The average Nike pro isn't doing that great financially.
How large of a check will Nike really write? Their track sponsorships have been on a downturn over the past few years and it's actually gotten quite bad recently. Also, they have always been huge on bonuses over base salary.
That's correct. I know someone who was a Nike runner until recently, and the amount of money that Nike pays now is significantly less than they used to pay.
Only a global superstar like Athing Mu or Sha'Carri Richardson still gets paid very well. The average Nike pro isn't doing that great financially.
Nike even gave up on Kerley and ETH after their best years (2022 and 2021 respectively). It is quite understable as there is not much ROI sponsoring track. Only Kipchoge has a positive ROI. He might be the highest paid NIKE track athlete.
She obviously cannot run as a pro running 30 mpw. She has to get passed (sic) her injuries, which is going to be tough because she never really got a diagnosis on the nerve issue. But she has made progress and who knows where she will be this summer at the US trials. If she makes the Olympic team, she will definitely turn pro because Nike is going to write her a huge check. If she is broken down at the end of the collegiate season and cannot run the trials, then it is hard to imagine how she could turn pro after her senior year.
She obviously won NCAA XC and broke 15 for 5000m, so it is not all obvious that she cannot get faster doing the training that appears to be working for her.