yohan blake richard miile watch under probe olympics 500,000$

[InTime]

http://offthebench.nbcsports.com/201...0-meters-race/


his tourbillion 500,000 WATCH! discuss!

[BrianVarick]

That's the first thing I noticed when they showed him in his 100m qualifying race. I don't understand why there is any controversy? I am sure there are tons of athletes who are wearing accessories that aren't sponsoring the games.

[kilyung]

I saw the watch during the race. It was only a matter of time before Omega cried foul... they spent millions being the official sponsor. It's only because RM is classed as a luxury watch that this is an issue. I don't see any controversy around the Casios, Timexes, gshocks, etc that most other athletes are sporting.

[jolimont]

It's ridiculous regarding the IOC and approved sponsors for the London Olympics.
There are stories going around that on site vendors cannot sell hot chips unless accompanied by fish as McDonalds are sponsors. Also manufacturers names on things like toilets have been covered up as they are not sponsors...
Not sure if true but if it is, then


BTW does anyone know how much these sprinters get and where their pay comes from? Sponsorships?I wouldnt think theres so much prizemoney in the sports, say unlike Tennis or Golf?

[azguy]

Just plain stupid.....

[MoBe]

Proof that the Olympics are becoming an exercise in commercialism and closet politics rather than sports as if anybody really cares what brand of underwear he`s wearing.

[eric23]

I wish RM would sponsor me, I would ware there watch for free, they just have to provide me with the watch

[Ed Rooney]

IOC is taking lessons from the NFL and NASCAR.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by kilyung

I saw the watch during the race. It was only a matter of time before Omega cried foul... they spent millions being the official sponsor. It's only because RM is classed as a luxury watch that this is an issue. I don't see any controversy around the Casios, Timexes, gshocks, etc that most other athletes are sporting.

I think you nailed it.

But hey, a deals a deal. If I represented Omega I'm sure I would pursue this kind of thing as well.

[ducatidoc]

Originally Posted by eric23

I wish RM would sponsor me, I would ware there watch for free, they just have to provide me with the watch

Yep, I'd even be happy with the yellow strap.

[cajunron]

I know this is a different venue, but speaking of 'sponsors', did anyone see where the Brazilian soccer player lost a $750K sponsorship from Coke for drinking a Pepsi at a press conference? OUCH!

[Kingair]

I don't mind wearing a yellow watch . . ship it to me . . . prob solved ;-)

HAGOne

[gwalker]

I noticed it in his first interview. Beautiful peice. Ithe IOC makes billions and needs to get off the athletes ass.

[mtrunner]

Originally Posted by jolimont

It's ridiculous regarding the IOC and approved sponsors for the London Olympics.
There are stories going around that on site vendors cannot sell hot chips unless accompanied by fish as McDonalds are sponsors. Also manufacturers names on things like toilets have been covered up as they are not sponsors...
Not sure if true but if it is, then


BTW does anyone know how much these sprinters get and where their pay comes from? Sponsorships?I wouldnt think theres so much prizemoney in the sports, say unlike Tennis or Golf?

Decent track athletes from Sprinters to long distance runners make money both from sponsors and endorsements and also from placing in track meets. If you are at the top of your game you can even command an appearance fee just to show up to certain track meets.

To give you an example of a US Sprinter. If you win the US Championships you get $25,000, second gets 15,000 and third gets 10,000. If you win a medal in the Olympics you receive the same amount of money. This is just for these two races. They make way more in other track meets and someone like Usain Bolt can often get $200,000 just in appearance fees. The big track series is called the Diamond League and there are 14 track meets in about a 5 month span. The winner of each race receives $10,000 down to 1,000 for 10th place. In addition, at the end if you are the points leader you receive a 40,000 bonus.

Most athletes make their money from their various sponsorships and endorsements. Some of these sponsorships are in the millions for the top athletes. Alan Webb, who was a top 1,500m runner signed a Nike contract that was worth 1.5 million for 6 years. In addition to cash, he received coaching, gear, travel expenses, medical staff etc. I heard at one point he was also receiving about 1.5 million a year in various other sponsorships and endorsements.

Paula Radcliff was is a marathoner, received $400,000 just to run the NYC Marathon. If you win the NYC marathon, it is an additional $125,000.

[gwalker]

Originally Posted by dddrees

I think you nailed it.

But hey, a deals a deal. If I represented Omega I'm sure I would pursue this kind of thing as well.

I love Omega almost as much as Rolex but those going to buy an omega arent going to be spending $500k on a RM. let's just be honest. It would be. No different than if Bugatti threw a commercial in a Chevy event. They aren't stealing customers.

As for the athletes making money Bolt is worth in the $15m range after winning again. His marketing power is in his home country where he is bigger than any star is here in the US. Blake is said to be worth ~$5m from various sources. A lot of cash from running.

[mtrunner]

So is Federer in trouble for wearing his Rolex right after his matches? This entire thing is absolutely ridiculous. Like others have said all kinds of runners have been seen wearing various sports watches.

[mgent]

I agree with gwalker.... I have a hard time calling Omega and RM competitors...

[witch watch]

Total overkill from the IOC. As been said already there has been no kick-up from them regarding the Casio's etc being worn, so would they have bothered with this had the watch garnered no press? I highly doubt it.

[InTime]

how much do you think miile paid him??? or is it just the watch for free? lol


i think he got at least 4 watches worth or so from this deal.

[BrianVarick]

^I think RM just lets the athletes wear the watches, I don't think they actually get to keep them.

[gwalker]

Originally Posted by BrianVarick

^I think RM just lets the athletes wear the watches, I don't think they actually get to keep them.

I'm pretty sure they are gifted to them. I don't think they actually get a monetary compensation. I know Bubba Watson was given his and I'm pretty sure that's how it goes. They are usually gifted more than one watch too

[A.J.R.]

Petty nonsense.

[HL65]

Originally Posted by ducatidoc

Yep, I'd even be happy with the yellow strap.

I'd be happy with just the watch head and forgo the strap.

[subtona]

Originally Posted by Ed Rooney

IOC is taking lessons from the NFL and NASCAR.

Agree NFL has downsized a great deal over the last few years , some of the staff has found themselves now working for IOC

[gameson]

yes, it's Ronaldinho... former world player of the year, but hey, he still has a lot money and that is just a drop in a bucket

Originally Posted by rgdejong

I know this is a different venue, but speaking of 'sponsors', did anyone see where the Brazilian soccer player lost a $750K sponsorship from Coke for drinking a Pepsi at a press conference? OUCH!

[BH13GMT]

Does Omega go head to head with RM

All this has done is raise more awareness for RM. Win win for RM

[topgear]

Roger Federer was wearing a Rolex when he received his silver medal on the podium and there were no such controversy like this. I seriously do not see what is all the fuss about. The fact that they make a mountain out of a molehill, RM has achieved its objective

[Explorer 2011]

I dont remember there being a huge fuss when Nadal wore his RM to play in the Rolex Sponsored Wimbledon?

[Passionata]

Are we all sure is it an authentic news ?or may be RM wasn t happy enough with the publicity of Blake and They created a bit of fuss extra.
Just thinking

[hdrazor251]

CNBC ran a story today on how the IOC is preventing "ambush" marketing and not allowing products that are not sponsors in or around the Olympics. They even control the brand of condoms that can be used in the Olympic Village and made Goodyear remove their name from the blimp before it could fly over the stadium.

They said it stems from the Atlanta games when Nike handed out flags with their logo to fans entering the stadium who waived them during the games and gave the Nike logo lots of free TV time. This angered Reebok who paid out millions to be an official sponsor. The IOC's position is that they must protect their sponsors or companies will not be willing to do business with them in the future.