As a follow-up to most people not knowing track is on and missing it as
WBeaman stated I offer this suggestion- Get the sport on ESPN and then spend
that money we are paying CBS to pay for promo ads announcing the meets and
making track look its best like the Sportscenter ads and ads for X-treme
Games and soccer and other stuff ESPN shows. ESPN is where every true sports
fan turns to watch at least a few minutes of everyday. This selectivity could
do the sport more good than any thing else we could ever possibly do. The
Golden League meets ESPN is showing this summer are a start but only if we
make the most of it. Have some comical commercials with the stars of the
sport. Bring Tiger in and cross promote track and golf Nike. Let's go guys.
Have a commercial with Michael Jordan in a "retired, relaxed" mode shown
day-dreaming of glory in track and field and how he could have done in the
high jump or racing MJ. The general fan would pay attention and start to
watch. Show Terry Bradshaw throwing a javelin instead of a football and
spearing his receivers (ok maybe that is too much) but there is so much more
that could be done. There are companies that could help but we just all sit
around and say "well its always been done this way". Dwight if the ratings
for track were great with the way you guys present I would shut up but they
aren't. You guys have never tried any other method (PAX was a start). Proper
presentation and great marketing can make any sport viewable - just look at
the tour de france - long distance bicycling! Soccer gets lots of airtime
although soccer ratings are well below track when I have seen the ratings.
jp
