The underpayment issue in track and field has been one of the raging issues in recent times. Despite making appearances in the Olympics, most athletes do not get paid handsomely to sustain a proper living. However, this year, things started to change as World Athletics, for the first time, announced prize money. They promised to give an amount of $50,000 to all the gold medal-winning athletes in Paris. Now, while this is undoubtedly a welcome change, the incentives were just limited to the gold medal winners. 

The others, however, lived the same old somber story. Luckily for the athletes, these things have been taken notice of in recent times. As a result, the likes of Athlos NYC and Grand Slam Track are providing athletes with opportunities to earn money. But still, these are again limited time money. And this is exactly what a track and field athlete needs to keep in mind. 

Andrew Brereton speaks on financial awareness for track and field stars

Speaking on the topic, the financial advisor of Justin Gatlin, Andrew Brereton had some invaluable advice to share. He emphasized that a track and field athlete will not get a lot of time during his prime to make money. Thus, he needs to be aware of his own potential and try to participate in as many meetings as possible. Making a comparison with the NFL, Brereton stated, “Again, I always try to emphasize, this is a business. It’s unlike the NFL from a business standpoint because you don’t join a team and get salaried. You can’t just hang on and make it. This is a business, and when the window closes, it’s closed.”

Surely, Brereton has got a point here. Looking closely at the average salaries of the two sports, a gaping hole can be found. In the NFL, the average salary as of 2024 is $2.8 million. And remember, this is a recurring amount that an NFL athlete keeps making. But the prime of a track and field star is very much uncertain. Thus, Brereton stressed making as much as possible when an athlete is doing well.  They must also need to be on the lookout for potential brand endorsements that will pay them after the athletes hang up their boots. 

Agreeing to his advisor, Gatlin mentioned that one also needs to be smart with the expenditure. Because whatever money a track and field athlete would accumulate during his professional days will be all. The US sprint legend gave the example of Marshawn Lynch. Lynch famously used to keep his game checks intact while spending only the money he got from his sponsors. Meanwhile, as a track and field athlete needs to understand money, it is also necessary for the governing bodies to try and protect them. Which, unfortunately, as per a famous Paralympian, is not the case. 

Stef Reid lambasts the unjust usage of money

Paralympian Stef Reid seems to be livid with how the higher authorities spend their allocated funds. She mentioned that there was certainly no shortage of money in athletics. Reid said, “I would say the money is there and that’s because the IOC shares its broadcast revenues across all summer sports.” To justify her claims, Reid mentioned how the IOC distributed 540 million across 32 federations. 

Dropping a bombshell, Reid further said that the federations utilized the funds for several development programs. On the contrary, she also praised how the World Athletics used the same funds to aid their athletes. Further stressing her point, the Paralympian said in her Instagram video, “My point is simply that there is a difference between not being able to afford something and choosing to invest elsewhere.” Thus, with monetary problems plaguing the track and field realm, it remains to be seen whether things change for the good or not.