Track and field is home to some of the most electrifying races in sports, yet it continues to battle a heartbreaking reality. Declining visibility and financial instability. Even world champion Noah Lyles has voiced concerns, calling the sport “dying” due to its struggles with broadcasting and funding. Fans are passionate, and athletes are breaking records, but if no one can watch, how can the sport grow?

The 2025 USA Indoor Track and Field Championships, set for February 22-23, will feature some of the country’s biggest stars competing for a coveted spot on the world team. It will be a thrilling showcase of talent! But instead of excitement, fans are left frustrated. With confusion surrounding how and where to watch the event, track and field fans are once again questioning USATF’s handling of media rights.

Jonathan Gault, a staff writer for LetsRun.com, took to X to highlight both the excitement and the glaring issue at hand. He mentions, “USA Indoors starts on Saturday. Some major absences, but we’ve still got Quincy Wilson, Hobbs Kessler, and some great women’s distance finals (Houlihan, Hiltz, MacLean, Morgan). One issue: still unclear if/when Saturday’s events will be broadcast.” This again shows how much track and field is missing out on coverage despite having some of their biggest names on display. There’s still no information about how events will be broadcasted.

On one hand, the Championships promise thrilling performances from rising stars like Quincy Wilson and established names like Hobbs Kessler, the bronze medallist at the 2024 World Indoor Championships. The 17-year-old athlete, Wilson, is the youngest gold medalist for Team USA in the 2024 Paris Olympics. The women’s distance finals also feature standout competitors all set to deliver must-watch races. But on the other hand, the question is where to see this event. Talk about the mismanagement in the sport!

USATF’s ongoing financial troubles only add to the growing drama. The organization reported a staggering $5.6 million loss in 2023. With this, the total revenue dropped from $37.94 million in 2022 to $35.01 million in 2023. By the end of 2023, USATF’s net assets had plunged to negative $4.49 million, raising serious concerns about the federation’s long-term financial stability.

What’s even more concerning is that track and field athletes worldwide have had access to over $22 million in prize money through events like the Diamond League, Athlos, and Grand Slam Track (GST) in 2025. Yet, while the global stage is finding ways to invest in the sport, USATF continues to struggle. And now the indoor championship is on the way! All these competitions will mean little if USATF continues to fumble its broadcasting deals.

Fans call out USATF over broadcast issues for track and field

Track and field fans have had enough. With just days to go until the 2025 USA Indoor Championships, many are still in the dark about how to watch the event. One fan took to X to demand action, stating, “@USATF, come on!!! Work on getting NATIONAL FREE coverage for track and field so the sport can grow!!! If no one can see it for free, it just can’t grow!!”

Another echoed the confusion, asking, “Are you serious? For crying out loud. Please let us know if you hear anything.” These reactions highlight a pressing issue. How can a sport expand its audience if its biggest events remain behind paywalls or lack clear viewing options? In an era where accessibility is key to growing fan engagement, track and field continues to fall behind.

The skepticism isn’t just about availability. It’s also about trust. One fan pointed out the inconsistencies in NBC Sports and Peacock’s coverage, recalling past mistakes saying, “Very strange about how @nbcsports and @peacock [are] doing coverage of Saturday. Remember, in 2023, didn’t they miss WRs? Not sure if they really want to build a fanbase.”

One user expressed, “I will go to OB and stream a radio-style broadcast if USATF lets me. I emailed USATF to get a credential, but no response so far.” This says a lot about the current state of the sport. When dedicated fans are willing to create alternative coverage just to ensure the event gets heard, yet USATF doesn’t even acknowledge them, it raises serious concerns about the organization’s priorities.

One fan shared their disappointment, saying, “I’ve got my TV set to record NBC broadcast Sunday afternoon. Not as good as watching it all live, but it’s something.” Track and field is a sport that thrives on real-time excitement. With the delay in the display of the event on the first day itself, they will miss out on the raw intensity of the sport. Will the sport’s ongoing struggles. continue to push fans away. A serious thought needs to be given to this issue. Let us know in the comments: What do you think about the ongoing situation?