USA Today via Reuters
Jun 25, 2021; Eugene, OR, USA; Cole Hocker (left) and Matthew Centrowitz place first and second in a 1,500m heat in 3:42.96 and 3:43.00 during the US Olympic Team Trials at Hayward Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Jun 25, 2021; Eugene, OR, USA; Cole Hocker (left) and Matthew Centrowitz place first and second in a 1,500m heat in 3:42.96 and 3:43.00 during the US Olympic Team Trials at Hayward Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The success of a sport depends on many things, but the two things which matter the most are the kind of athletes and the response of the fanbase. However, followers of the NCAA Track and Field witnessed a major disappointment and have been voicing it out. Recently, the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association announced that the upcoming Indoor Championships would be behind a paywall. And fans were not happy.
Fans and certain track stars took to Twitter to express their rage and disappointment. While many didn’t see the reason behind the paid subscription, some went so far as to say that the decision would kill the sport. Here are some of the top fan reactions to the decision.
Track and Field world fuming over the newly introduced paid subscription to view the event
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The decision was announced on the official Twitter handle of the USTFCCCA on 7th March. The live coverage of the 2023 DI Indoor Track and Field event would only be available to fans who have subscribed to ESPN Plus. For the rest, the delayed tapes would be aired later. Fans did not expect an NCAA finals event to be behind a paywall, and that triggered some rage over Twitter.
USA Today via Reuters
Jun 24, 2021; Eugene, OR, USA; Athing Mu and Nikki Hiltz lead a women’s 800m heat during the US Olympic Team Trials at Hayward Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Fans immediately called out the decision and expressed how it could potentially hurt the sport. Some even expressed disappointment since they won’t be able to watch the championship even though they’re track and field enthusiasts.
BROADCAST SCHEDULE ALERT: We've confirmed that live coverage of the 2023 @NCAATrackField DI Indoor Championships is only available to those who have a pay subscription to @ESPNPlus. Tape-delayed broadcasts will air on ESPNU Sunday night and Monday morning.
— USTFCCCA (@USTFCCCA) March 6, 2023
This sport will never grow if they keep failing to market it properly smh 🤦🏽♂️
— Nigel (@NigelC07) March 7, 2023
Always looking to watch track and field but nothing is free to watch . My kids love track but can’t watch it without paying . Wish they found a way to market the sport better.
— Patrick (@ravens755) March 6, 2023
But fans were not the only ones to rage about the recent decision. Many track and field stars also voiced their opinions on Twitter. Most expressed disappointment over the paywall and argued about the accessibility, and for starters, track star Noah Lyles had some strong opinions as he exclaimed, “This is just disgusting!”.
This is just disgusting! I want to know who authorized this and what was the reasoning. Even if you don’t show the prelim days you can show the finals days. How many times are we going to shoot ourselves in the foot as a sport.
— Noah Lyles, OLY (@LylesNoah) March 6, 2023
Athlete Morolake Akinosun also echoed similar sentiments.
This is extremely unfortunate. When’s the last time a Division 1 NCAA Championship, in *ANY* sport was behind a paywall?
The paywall to watch track and field is only hurting the sport.
We, athletes, and the fans deserve better. https://t.co/kncL3d6mih
— Morolake Akinosun™ (@MsFastTwitch) March 6, 2023
Olympian David Verburg also had a strong statement to contribute to the debate.
How to kill your sport: Exibit B https://t.co/ZyEGoho3Pz
— David Verburg OLY (@AdiVerb) March 7, 2023
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However, veteran sprinter Michael Johnson argued that outrage on Twitter wouldn’t go a long way toward bringing change.
Outrage over NCAA meet behind a paywall. Remember these?
-USATF CEO $3m salary OUTRAGE.
-USA Indoor champs prize money OUTRAGE.
-World Champs empty seats OUTRAGE.
-World class athletes without a contract OUTRAGE.
A few days of Twitter outrage won’t save your sport. https://t.co/fW24H2Bf6t— Michael Johnson (@MJGold) March 7, 2023
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Whether or not the USTFCCCA took the right decision is an ongoing debate. Most fans are visibly upset over the decision either due to accessibility or affordability issues. Nevertheless, only time will tell if this affects the viewership of future track and field events.
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