Track and field is a renowned and massively popular sport. Given its popularity, the athletes should be earning quite big but it seems that isn’t the case. Several athletes have raised concerns over the years regarding irregularities in the sport. Now, the controversy has sparked again with several athletes expressing their opinions as Max Siegel gets a contract extension.

USA Track and Field CEO Max Siegel was recently awarded a massive 5-year contract extension. Adding to his salary revealed by USATF, Siegel is receiving a lot of criticism from the media, athletes, and fans alike.

Max Siegel’s contract extension sparks controversy

Over the past few days, several athletes have raised concerns over the disproportionate pay track and field athletes receive. The row began after Sha’Carri Richardson found contrasting images of what track and field athletes get paid compared to other arenas of life. Now, as the USATF CEO gets a 5-year extension amid his salary reveals, several other athletes have raised their concerns.

USATF recently revealed that it has paid Max Siegel $3.8 million since 2012. When compared to the $12,000 stipend athletes receive, this is massively less. Track and field informer Raes Take TV expressed his displeasure over this issue on Twitter. He wrote, “I really be mad cause Track Athletes don?t make the money they should be making. If you make a team you should be worry free. You should instantly be a millionaire if you win a championship. One Olympic medal should set you up for life”.

READ MORE: Disappointed by USATF Sha?Carri Richardson Appeals Carl Lewis for a Favor: ?Your Generation of the Sport Could Help?

Given the massive fan following of the sport, athletes should be earning a lot more. Although these stars get sponsorship deals, this luxury is only available to only a few. These pertinent issues have sparked controversy and several stars have spoken out against the issue.

Track and field athletes demand better pay

As USATF revealed Max Siegel’s yearly salary, several athletes took to Twitter to express their displeasure. NCAA champion Harrison Williams highlighted the issue, saying, “In a sport where the best athletes in the country only receive a $12,000 stipend from USATF (and have to be top 15 in the world to get it), it’s absolutely absurd that our CEO Max Siegel just made $3,819,264 in one year”.

Earlier, Sha’Carri Richardson had raised similar concerns over this issue. A regular critic of USATF, Lauren Fleshman blasted at USATF demanding an explanation from the organization. “Athletes and all stakeholders of our sport deserve an explanation”. While we wait for what happens forward, these issues are really concerning and should be addressed soon.

Watch this story:?Years After Replacing Simone Biles, Jordan Chiles Reveals Exciting Plans for Paris Olympics