> Does USATF really think that the current arrangements will make meaningful
headway in expanding the sport's base?
> Obviously, such a goal is not on the radar screen of NBC or its
stockholders, not would I reasonably expect it to
> be.
>
> I fully realize that Craig Masback inherited the current situation...if I
recall correctly about the time he took
> over the reigns USATF had a huge debt and faced a situation a lot like the
British federation-namely the distinct
> possibility of going belly up. Craig negotiated a bail-out by the USOC,
but had to agree to turn over TV rights to the >USATF national champion to
the USOC for several years. Meaning USOC could also negotiate the deals.
There was >never much doubt that USOC would go the same route as the IOC
with NBC, since they view everything as a "package >deal".
I don't know all the facts, but it was actually worse than that. Craig had
to negotiate with the USOC, but the TV rights had ALREADY been given to the
USOC by his predecessor, Ollan Cassell. So he didn't even really have much
to bargain with. Also, when Craig took over, the USOC provided a large
percentage of the USATF budget on a regular basis. So even without any
negotiations, they had (and still have) a tremendous influence on USATF.
- Ed Parrot
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
