Olympic gold athletes across 48 track and field events will each receive $50,000 from World Athletics after the Paris Olympics. Yet, American track and field stars continue to face the brunt of unfair pay on home turf. Athletes like Sha’Carri Richardson, Noah Lyles, Kenny Bednarek, and many others have voiced concerns not just about the sport’s low pay but also the financial burdens they endure.

As the 2024 United States Olympic trials approach, the prize pool disparity only adds to the disrespect highlighted by Sha’Carri Richardson and Lyles. And it seems their calls for change have once again gone unanswered.

The 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials exacerbated pay disparity for Sha’Carri Richardson and Noah Lyles

According to the official USA Track & Field website, the prize money breakdown for the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials in track and field has been revealed. The breakdown is as follows: 1st place receives $11,000, 2nd place gets $8,800, 3rd place earns $6,600, and it goes down to $1,100 for 7th and 8th places. USATF also supports athletes with travel funding if they meet specific criteria, like being a U.S. citizen and qualifying for the event. USTAF will also provide $2,100 to athletes who qualify beforehand to help cover travel expenses.

This update also comes after, in a post on X from May 17, 2024, Kenny Bednarek discussed the financial strain of gearing up for the trials, saying, “The cost to fly and accommodate my team at the trials and Olympics is pretty wild. Prices are jacked up.” Noah Lyles agreed, adding, “It’s tough for all of us.” Bednarek, likely to take a flight from Wisconsin, would end up paying $400, plus added expenses for travel and hotels. Lyles flying from Florida to Eugene, along with his expenses, would total over $1,000–$1,500 per person.

These amounts do not include costs for coaches, support staff, or family members. Despite compensation from USATF, many athletes end up spending more than they earn at these trials, reigniting debates on pay disparity highlighted by Sha’Carri Richardson, Lyles, and others. As we reflect on this news, it underscores another stark reality in track and field and brings to light past pay debates involving USATF CEO Max Siegel.

How USA Track & Field CEO Max Siegel faced the heat for his million dollar salary

In 2018, it was revealed that Max Siegel, the CEO of USA Track & Field (USATF), received nearly $4.3 million in total compensation. This included a base salary of $611,000, a $500,000 bonus, and $3,027,250 in deferred compensation. According to The Washington Post, USATF defended Siegel’s earnings by noting that the figure included bonuses and retirement funds not paid out immediately. They highlighted Siegel’s contributions to growing USATF’s budget from $17 million to over $40 million and securing significant sponsorships, including a monumental $500 million deal with Nike running until 2040.

Siegel was also credited with securing new sponsorship deals with Toyota, Hershey, and Comcast Xfinity. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, USATF faced financial losses, leading Siegel to take a temporary 20% pay cut and the organization to lay off staff. By 2021, Siegel’s compensation rose to $3.8 million, including $2.5 million in deferred pay. This increase sparked backlash, particularly from elite athletes and critics within the sports community, who criticized the stark contrast between Siegel’s earnings and the modest stipends provided to top athletes.

Lauren Fleshman, a former pro athlete and coach, voiced her frustration, saying, “I just don’t understand. I really don’t. I don’t care how good you are at your job. This is a non-profit running on the fumes of athlete dreams and underpaid coaches and countless volunteers. It’s mind blowing USATF thinks this kind of pay disparity is remotely appropriate.” Despite the uproar, Siegel defended his earnings, highlighting his track record of boosting USATF’s revenue and securing sponsorships.

He stated, “I hate the fact that somehow or another, this organization figures out how to create drama. Good lord. Can we just have one annual meeting where everybody goes home happy?” The USATF board backed Siegel, citing his performance and the competitive nature of CEO compensation in similar organizations. However, it’s crucial to note that under his leadership, USATF did face financial setbacks amidst the controversy.

The financial challenges of USATF

In 2022, USATF faced significant financial challenges. Despite generating a record revenue of nearly $38 million, it incurred expenses totaling $44.66 million, resulting in a substantial loss of $6.72 million for the year. The organization attributed this loss primarily to expenses related to hosting the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon, which had been planned for several years. CEO Max Siegel, who had been criticized for his high earnings in previous years, earned $1.3 million in 2022.

Despite the lower amount compared to the $3.8 million he received in 2021, Max Siegel’s $1.3 million compensation in 2022 still drew attention due to the nonprofit nature of USATF. Nevertheless, in November 2023, USATF announced the renewal of Siegel’s contract through 2028. This decision came after an extensive evaluation process by the USATF Board of Directors, which included performance assessments and feedback from stakeholders. Siegel, who has led USATF since 2012, was recognized for his significant achievements, including growing the organization’s revenue to over $600 million and expanding its annual budget to a record $40 million

Reflecting on these recent events, it’s evident that despite USATF’s reports of increasing sports revenue, American athletes like Sha’Carri Richardson, Noah Lyles, and others continue to face significant challenges with the federation. The recent issue of low pay at the trials underscores this ongoing struggle. How do you feel about this latest development over time? Share your thoughts in the comments!