Sprint Force America being left in the blocks by sponsor?
A year ago this month, we reported the milestone sponsorship deal between Ferring Pharmaceuticals and New York-based Sprint Force America. Among other things, the maker of Euflexxa, an injectable arthritis drug, promised to underwrite a couple dozen male sprinters at major meets and feature them in promotional materials. The upshot? Many got subsidies, but none appeared in national advertising. And it seems the deal is dead for 2009 — although nothing official has been said. Ferring hasn’t replied to my emails. In addition, Sprint Force leader Ed Gonera declines to answer my questions. Moreover, one team member wrote me: “Ed Gonera has asked us not to reply to your questionnaire for reasons not disclosed.” But some cooperated anyway.
Sprint Force America swept the M70 100 at 2008 Spokane nationals.
These were my shameful, prying questions:
1. How much money has the sponsorship been worth to you personally? What have you saved in terms of travel/lodging/equipment and entry costs?
2. Have you gotten as much money (or defrayed expenses) as was originally promised?
3. Has Ferring come through on its promise to use SFA athletes in commercials and other advertising?
4. Do you actually use Euflexxa to help with knee problems? If so, how well does it work?
5. How many SFA athletes is Ferring now sponsoring?
6. Are you happy, overall, with how you’ve been treated by Ferring? Why or why not?
7. Will you continue to run for SFA? Why or why not?
8. What would you like people to know about Ferring’s sponsorship of SFA?
Here’s what I glean from several replies:
The sponsors provided uniforms, and as much as $600 in expense money (after the fact) — but not as much as they were led to think. Ferring didn’t follow through with publicity and a story in Masters Athlete magazine as promised on a 4×100 world record at the 2008 Penn Relays.
One athlete wrote me: “They need to be more up front with what they are going to pay and set some firm guidelines on allowable expenses such as airline ticket class and hotel accommodations.”
The fate of this year’s sponsorship will probably be obvious in a couple weeks — when Sprint Force America competes at the Penn Relays. Either members get reimbursed for expenses, or they don’t.
It wouldn’t surprise me if Ferring has defaulted on its promises to SFA. It’s a brutal economy, after all. But pretending the deal is still alive is plain silly.
Just tell the truth, guys. Sprint Force America is still the pride of masters track.
Sprint Force America claims M70 4×1 WR at Penn Relays
FerringUSA’s sponsorship of Sprint Force America has already paid off. The M70 SFA team of Gary Sims, Wayne Bennett, Larry Colbert and Bob Lida clocked a sensational 51.96 today in the 4×100 relay at Penn to smash the listed age-group world record of 53.03 by Germany at the 2005 San Sebastian world meet. (The event is listed as M60, but all the runners for SFA are over 70.) The M50 4×1 also must have been sensational, with Californian Marty Krulee holding off (or overtaking) Texan Bill Collins on the anchor as Sprint Force America beat Houston Elite 46.12 to 46.16 in SFA’s first foray under the Euflexxa banner. Later, Collins and Lida won their age-groups 100s.
7 Responses
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Larry Libow - April 26, 2008
I’m confused. If Bob Lida and Gary Sims are listed (in event #142) as unattached and Wayne Bennett is listed as running for Dallas Masters, how is the M70 4×100 WR credited to SFA?
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Doug Smith - April 26, 2008
Congratulations, Gary, Wayne, Larry & Bob for your new WR in the M70 4X100 Relay. You truly are great guys, friends, and are admired by all of us, who have competed with and against you. May you continue your successful assault on other relay records. Best regards, Doug Smith (USA)
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saladin allah - April 26, 2008
Congrats to all my teammates on a great job at Penn.
Sal -
peter taylor - April 27, 2008
Well, I will take a shot at this one (see Larry Libow, above). In my opinion the performance by Sprint Force America M70+ in the 4 x 100 will eventually be accepted as a world mark but not as an American mark (because of the club situation that Larry L. notes). I predict that the team will be described as “USA.” But what do I know?
On other matters, I doubt that many masters know that there are official Penn splits kept by the Penn Relays officials. I noted some interest among the athletes at Penn as to what their splits were. I have a few of them, but I am generally saving them for my news story on the meet. Southwest Sprinters B in the 4 x 400 on Saturday had some interest: their splits were 54.4, 56.5, 53.7, and 54.0, which interestingly enough comes out just above (not below) their FAT of 3:38.44.
Team J (All Stars), not listed for some reason in the results of the race, had splits for their first three men of 57.43, 53.88, and 52.45. Again, these are the official Penn Relays splits.
Enough for now. -
Simpdog - April 27, 2008
Wonder why they haven’t arranged a 40M team? hmmmmm
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Mary Harada - April 27, 2008
Peter Taylor’s comment about the SFA getting an world record but not an American record is interesting – I have no clue – but like Larry Libow – I wondered how a person could run one race for one club and then another for another club – I still wonder how that works. Personally I think it is great that a company is stepping up to support masters athletes. Best wishes to all of those lucky few – and I hope that the USATF rules do not get in the way of many great American and World age group and individual records.
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Larry Libow - April 27, 2008
My apologies! It was not my intention to demean the WR or question the integrity of SFA. In fact, I am well aware that at Penn there are many clubs that run relays with people who are not USATF-affiliated with the club relay. Even MVTC has done such.
I think the bigger problem is that USATF tries to force everyone into an association-based club system. I applaud Ed Gonera for helping masters to break away from that outmoded system when he created SFA.
I think what I should have said is why does Penn use a different standard than other USATF meets? Perhaps one reason is that without the ability for masters teams to fill out relays with anyone who is willing and able to run, there might not be enough masters teams and thus Penn would pull the plug on masters events at Penn.
Again, I apologize if my comments were viewed as negative and my congrats to the WR relay team from SFA.
14 Responses
This company never wanted the publicity you so eagerly wanted to share with everyone, Ken. But really, it’s ok. You are who you are. I’m truly disappointed you chose this path.
Ferring was dismayed by this also, but not by our club as a whole. We’ll see them again.
To the members of my club -and I’m sure no core members- who hinted or spoke to you of anything having to do with SFA securing sponsorship, I say,” show me companies that are lining-up to sponsor Masters in any fashion ” ! Some Masters athletes I find really live in pipe dreams !I ask, “IF ANYONE GAVE YOU ANY AMOUNT TO OFFSET YOUR EXPENSE TO RUN WHY WOULD YOU HURT THAT?” We have elite runners trying to secure money, and here we are thinking we’re worth more….We’re not to most companies !…..PIPE DREAMS !
It’s no wonder we have such basic problems establishing masters legitimacy. Masters….Older athletes….We step on our own toes :))))
Sal Allah
No MT&F track club anywhere pays for every single member on the team…not SFA, not SWSTC, not Nike Central Park, not SoCal, not Oregon, no one to my knowledge…..
I don’t see the reason this topic is being brought up again this year.. I don’t see how this thread is encouraging our sport at this point and time.
Well said Sal. All credit is due for the Sprint Force members in finding a company willing to sponsor some masters athletes.
Relationships like this take time to develop and nurture. Ferring clearly was happy to support the sport and not look for much in return given that they didn’t run ads.
But let’s throw the baby out with the bath water, eh Ken?
Another piece of negative, snarky writing from Ken following so soon after the silly and erroneous accusations about the payment to some big names at the Landover Master’s Championships.
I’ve been in this sport for over 35 years.Granted I have’nt participated in a National Championship since 2006 when I came in 4th in the 800.With a 20 year old son attending college,I just can’t afford to spend the money it takes to attend these meets.Sal was 100% on the money with his comments.Don’t bite the hand that feeds anything at this point in our running lives.Be glad someone is willing to help a little.There are companies out there like Geritol,AARP and the company that sponsors the Senior Nationals(which I will be attending)that would probably love to get involved with a group of old fast men who are still out there setting examples for people and encouraging them to eat right and stay healthy.That’s what I’m trying to do here in Charlotte,N.C.We can’t be so negative in our comments and so unapprecitive in our attitudes towards someone who does’nt have to give us a plum nickel.Wake up and smell the coffee and while you’re at it have a cup.Peace be with you.ROB
Sal,your comments were excellent.You were always very elouquent in your words.Love ya man.Take care.Rob Jackson.
I can see no advantage for anyone from SFA to respond to Ken’s questions critiquing the sponsorship.
I certainly wouldn’t answer those questions, even if I were miffed that I didn’t receive what I was thinking I might get.
Is Ken hoping he can write a story about a group of masters left at the altar by a reluctant sponsor-bride? I would hope for a story more positive for masters sponsorships.
I use a competitive injectable Sodium Hyaluronate, SYNVISC, and it is the only reason I was able to compete in Landover. I thought I was finished running due to OA.
It’s sad to read this article, SFA has done a great thing by getting a sponsor, the amount of the money is no one else’s business. We should all be grateful for what they have done and try to follow there example. Unfortunately doing the right thing is not popular in our society, scandal and misdeeds are what’s popular. So we look to celebrate SFA possible loss of Sponsorship and that just isn’t right. Shame on you Ken, masters athletes read your site so they can celebrate there sport not condemn it. We have Jerry Springer if we are interested in sandal and stupidity.
owning and operating a small ( one person …me ) autobody shop as long as i have , for this my 31st year, i had a bit of difficulty accepting tips from appreciative customers when i was a young man.i guess my pride got in my way. but as i got older i remembered what my grandfather dick hickey told me . he worked as a ticket seller in the mark hellinger theater nyc for many years, and many times brought home “tips” in the way of money…bottles (although he never had a drop) and other perks. he always said ” albert, if someone wants to give you money or a gift, in appreciation for a job well done,as long as you don’t have to do anything illegal or immoral to obtain it,… keep your mouth shut, smile and say thanks. ! ” now i do…albert
So glad I can keep up with my Masters friends in a friendly, positive place. See ya on facebook Tony!!!
Sal is right on about being grateful for what we are offered as masters. The simple fact is that Masters Track is not a priority for major companies,and the last time I looked neither are Open Track athletes. I would imagine any sponsorship Open Track folks have, is offered to very few individuals and there probably are requirements attached to all of the offers.
I ran for Sprint Force for a number of years when I was in my 50s and it was a very positive experience. One would be hard pressed to find a more committed and harder working organizer in the Masters Track arena than Ed Gonera. He has spent long hours working at making his club one of the best in the world. The sponsorship he captured for Sprint Force was a major breakthrough and it should be recognized as such. Why, in these economic times would anyone fault a company for backing off on sponsorship?
The reality for elite competitors in Masters Track is that you have to suck it up and do what you have to do to get to the major competitions.
I have struggled financially my entire Masters career to be able to compete in World and National Championship meets. I wasn’t able to attend a World Championship until Buffalo in 1995, eleven years after I began competing as a masters sprinter, despite being ranked as one of the top 200m and 400m in the World some of those years.
I made a decision after Buffalo to raise the money myself, any way I could….and I did, through friends and special concerts with other musicians (I am a performing musician myself). Bottom line…don’t wait around for someone to sponsor you, become proactive!! If you think you are worth investing money into your track career, tell people about yourself. Spread the word that you need help. Be positive about it.There are people who will be happy to help you. You just have to find them.
Either way, we should all be incredibly grateful for the ability to compete in Masters Track for as long as we possibly can. It is such an incredible trip no matter where and when we compete..Never say die.
Thanks Roger and Courtland Gray! I have been following you two and others for the short time I have discovered the internet. It is good to hear what you think. It is motivating to me that others before me have faced many of the same challenges all of us have and have succeeded. There is still hope for us all. Thanks Michaal Daniels a new m60 runner.
Thanks Roger,
….For acknowledging Ed’s hardwork. As you know he works tirelessly trying to accomodate (sometimes too much) athletes. He’s rare in that regard.
How are you, Roger ? Hopefully, you are healthy and doing well, and back on the track….I miss the vigor you always bought with you when you were lined-up. Be well.
Sal
Hey Rob !
First of all, thanks for your input, because you surely know the deal.
I lost all the crew’s particulars when I lost my cell-phone (and of-course they couldn’t retrieve it). Email me man, so we can rehash stuff ! I miss all of ya’ll in Charlotte ! Tell eveyone, Colette and I are doing just dandy :).
Sal
Thank you Leigh!
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