> While we're at it, end all appearance fees. This disgusting practice is a hold over from > the under-the-table days when T&F athletes had to fake being amateur. Make them perform > to get paid, similar to what happens in the road races that actually have prize money. > Their only putting 6-10 in any race/event anyway. Make a purse for each event where > winning then actually means something. When they finish the TV people can put the > performance and purse earned in a graphic just like golf, bowling and horse racing. Then > people will have some idea that people are pros, not shamateurs.
There are substantial appearance fees at many pro golf events and it doesn't hurt the sport. Even the scratching of a few stars doesn't kill an event. We'd do well to study how they manage this. - Ed Parrot
