Athletes in Court

Somebody ought to lose their job at Nike, Meb Keflezigh wins Olympic Marathon trials

By Lee Davis on Posted in Olympics, Track & Field

Photo by David J. Phillip, AP

Meb Keflezighi won today’s Men’s Olympic Marathon trials in Houston.  Meb, 36-years old, ran a personal best to win the race and qualify for the 2012 Men’s Olympic Marathon Team. Keflezighi’s time of 2:09:07 was just shy of an American Olympic trials record, with Ryan Hall, the race favorite, coming in second and finishing just under the 2:10 mark.

Meb was representing Skechers as Nike dropped him as an athlete in 2011. That is why I say someone at Nike should lose their job. Previously he had been a Nike athlete, and most in the sport associated him with Nike. Can you imagine the conversation in Beaverton, OR, next week? Eric Sprunk, Global Vice President of Merchandising and Product for Nike is going to call in John Capriotti, Director of Global Marketing, on Monday to explain how in the world Nike got scooped by Sketchers in the most important running event to be held every four years on American soil, the Olympic Marathon Trials.

Q: How come Meb was wearing a New York AC uniform, and what was that on his feet?

A: We don’t have him as an athlete at Nike anymore, and I think those were Heelies or Skechers or something, bad orange.

Q: He is not a Nike athlete?

A: No.

Q: Didn’t he win the New York City Marathon a couple years ago?

A: Yes, 2009.

Q: Didn’t he get a silver medal in the 2004 Olympics?

A: Yes, Athens, looked great in that white USA jersey and his Nikes.

Q: Who did he represent then?

A: Nike.

Q: Doesn’t he have some compelling personal story?

A: Yes, his dad walked the family across 500 miles of desert in Africa to escape war in Eritrea.  Meb grew up in America and loves the USA and proudly represents our nation.  He even wrote a book about it, Run to Overcome.  And he has a quote that sums it up:  ”Like the marathon, life can sometimes be difficult, challenging and present obstacles; however, if you believe in your
dreams and never ever give up, things will turn out for the best.” – Meb

Q: And, you’re sure he is no longer a Nike athlete?  We usually grab up those personal interest stories, war, Africa, just do it stuff.

A: No, we let him go so we could hire another bench-sitting baby in the NBA…marketing said that was the way to go.  Meb has no tattoos.

Q: How much was he asking for?

A: Three years at about $250k a year…the same as the NBA guy makes in about 15 minutes.

Q:  So who is he representing?

A: Skechers?

Q: Who do they have?

A: Dancing with the Stars host Brooke Burke.

A: And now Meb in the 2012 Olympics in London.

NBC covered the trials for two hours Saturday afternoon from 3-5 pm (EST), and for the better part of the coverage it was a duel with Meb (Skechers) and Hall (Asics).  On the podium Nike can take small solace in the fact that they did have an athlete as the last qualifier on the podium.  Maybe a new ad campaign will come of it:  Just Do It…third.

Consider this:  The 2004 Olympic silver medalist and 2009 New York City Marathon champion, Meb Keflezighi was sponsored by Nike until that ended earlier this year, purportedly because they couldn’t agree on a contract amount.  Surely Meb’s request is a small number compared to what the Nike brand would have yielded from an Olympic spotlight.  And, that Sketchers did sign Meb underscores the point. As far as I know, Skechers doesn’t have serious running shoes.  You can, however, get excellent Bella Ballerina shoes; check their website.

A bad day for marketing in Beaverton.

Good luck, Meb, in London!

America is behind you 100%.

  • Mn87

    Amusing Q & A. Meb apparently wore Skechers GOrun shoes!

    • Zach6725

      I have a feeling the shoes Meb runs in can not be bought in stores.

      • Bq14

        Not so sure about that…Seems as if the Go RUN line IS available..ie. Skechers.com!! Do try them out…AWESOME…and WHY would they make a shoe exclusive to Meb if it is doing so well and getting him so many wins/pr’s?? Wouldn’t you think they would indeed want to SELL them?

        • Thomick

          SKECHERS are awesome! I have PR’d while wearing the ProSpeed trainers recently: 19:16 5K and 1:26 Half marathon (I am a female). I plan to toe the line in Boston this year wearing them.

          • Bq14

            Congratulations! I have recently started running in the Go Run (and love the purple:)) I was having a painful foot problem right under and below my 2nd toe (not a stress frac).
            Anyhow, the Go Runs allow me to run Pain free!!!

            Haven’t heard of the ProSpeed trainers — looked them up on line and they appear to be much ‘heavier’ and not minimalist as Go Runs…What’s your take? You obviously have the times to prove it:)

            I am running Boston and plan on the Go Runs at this point..Pls. let me know your feedback and thanks!

          • Wojwys

            I have Pro Speed and GOrun. While Pro Speed is more impressive in terms of energy rebound, it is lacks the lightweight characteristic of GOrun.
            Best way to apply GOrun is transition or foot conditioning running and NEVER long distance as only seasoned runners have enough of foot muscle strength to cover the distance w/o the strain. This is why Meb has altered version, anybody can see on the video interview.
            I am afraid SKECHERS (not Sketchers) did not emphasize this enough and too many wannabees will end up with injuries, due to overuse.

        • Tim

          I read in a NY Marathon preview that Meb’s were custom and not so much like the retail versions. I believe they were flatter, without as much of the heel undercut that makes the “midfoot zone.” It’s the same shoe, just modified for his purposes as are many other brands’ sponsored runners shoes.

          • Bq14

            Thanks, Tim…You are probably correct..those Elites could basically wear nothing….However, I should have my bright Orange (that look just like Mebs:) at my front door today!!

          • Bonovox

            I am glad the entire Sketcher’s staff has posted on this thread. That said, Nike dropped the ball here.

          • Run Jester Run

            Lots of comments about SKECHERS (yes, they’re name is spelled with all caps – that’s the way the name is trademarked – and no, there is no “t” in SKECHERS.) As to the comment from Bonovox, “glad the entire Sketcher’s (sp) staff has posted on this thread” – ok, I get it. I guess some people are under the impression that the only way a person can give positive comments about a product is to be an employee. So Bonovox, you’ve never found a product that you really liked, and in your excitement told others about it? Well, neither of us have the facts, either way, as to who commented, since everyone uses made up names, but I’ll briefly tell my story, and I have no problem using my real name. I started running in SKECHERS when they first came out with a running shoe, July 2010, under advisement of my sports doctor for recovery from a severe tibia stress fracture. Since then I’ve done well over 100 marathons, 35 ultras – 19 of which were 100 miles or more, including races of 161, 233, 238, and 251 miles. Oh, and there was a little race I did this summer called Badwater 135. I’ve recently broken two Guinness World Records, most marathons in a year – 135, and most race miles in a year – 4,583. Every single mile of every one of those races was in SKECHERS running shoes (four different styles). And I have not had a single running injury since running in SKECHERS. Although I do all my races as “The Jester”, when it comes to SKECHERS running shoes, I don’t joke around. And lest you think I’m one of their staff, let me assure you – I’m not. I have not received one red cent from SKECHERS, although they did pay my expenses for Badwater, and they do give me as many running shoes as I want – for free! My name is Ed Ettinghausen, and if you don’t think I’m real, just look at this month’s issue of Runner’s World Magazine, at the top of page 16. Yeah, the guy in the jester hat that ran 135 marathons in one year, wearing the SKECHERS “SRR” shirt, that would be yours truly! But all that pales in comparison to what Meb did in SKECHERS GO Runs – back to back PR’s and a win at the Olympic Trials. Meb is the real deal, and so are the shoes on his feet! Just ask him! And then go try a pair yourself . . .

  • Dino

    Exactly what I thought when watching it. My excitement for Meb was somewhat tempered by the Breathe Right strip and Synchronized Swimming cap he raced with. To build on Mn87′s point, Sketchers IS serious about running shoes and proved it by signing Meb.

    • Rebecca

      Why on earth would what he wears temper your excitement for Meb? He is awesome no matter what he wears!

  • Kent

    Was think the same thing. It is a shame Meb got dumped. To your last point….Nike did have two Women on the podium…Shalene and Kara.

    • Lee

      Point well taken….and no slight of Shalene or Kara intended…tremendous performances both.

  • guest

    The guy at Nike you are referring to is the Director of Global Marketing. His name is John Capriotti and Meb is just one of many athletes that have been cut in the prime of their career by this guy.

    • Bryan Engdahl

      Wrong. He is the Director of Gbl Athletics (T&F) Sports Marketing…there is no Director of Global Mktg. That would be a VP job

  • Larsen Jason5

    Also, the designer for Nike Free quit because Nike changed the design, then he went to Saucony (kinvara) and quit when they changed the design, then he went to Sketchers and Sketchers said, “do whatever you want we’re Sketchers and the real and intended Nike Free/Saucony Kinvara was born the Sketchers GOrun.

  • spindoktor

    Nike sucks they’ve gone down hill big time. I don’t even like their running shoes anymore.

  • G. H. Massiha

    I want to see him with Go Daddy dot com in London :)

  • Truth
  • Tbeatty21

    …like it or not Nike will survive. Sketchers won’t be around in a few years, like it or not.
    As for Nike ‘losing,’ come on, really? Their profits, bottom-line, are still growing!

    • Crippledeagles

      sketchers has been around along time u dumb ass

    • rdl1371

      Skechers has become the second largest shoe company in the US, only behind Nike. They’re not going anywhere. Not my shoes of choice, but I have too many friends that have racked up big miles in them to be dismissive.

      • runmom

        Running or not- almost every elementary school girl has at least one pair of sketchers and most of the boys had time when they were in preschool. Those light up shoes are a huge hit with the kiddo.

      • Bob

        adidas is the largest shoe company since they bought Reebok a few years back. LA Gear pioneered the lights in the shoes. GET YOUR FACTS RIGHT!

  • Vibrams

    So they dumped Meb so Kara’s loser husband can keep his contract???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

    • Lorie

      That was mean. Adam retired last year.

  • Bq14

    2 Questions; What is New York AC Uniform? Also, at his post race interview, anyone know why there was (duct) tape on the front of his jacket and on the arms by his wrists? On the rest of it, you could clearly see Skechers? Just wondering???

    • 123patrickc

      I think the tape was covering up some larger Sketchers logos. I know there are rules regarding the size of the logos on the athletes singlets/racing attire.

      • Bq14

        Thanks…I was just curious..didn’t know that:)

  • BlueJ149

    Great article. I wouldn’t buy anything Nike. Meb is a class guy and a teriffic runner. I have the Sketchers GOrun shoes and like them very much. They are very minimalist and take some getting used to though. Wish they also made an everyday training shoe. You can add to your list of shame every marathon director that chose not to invite Meb last spring. He’s earned everything he’s gotten. Lost my voice yesterday rooting for him! GO MEB!

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000661811369 Blake Mitchell

    This is perhaps the most illogical and poorly sourced piece of bs I’ve ever read. Seriously.

    The entire “Q & A” portion is entire fiction. Not one bit of it is true.

    “The 2004 Olympic silver medalist and 2009 New York City Marathon champion, Meb Keflezighi was sponsored by Nike until that ended earlier this year, purportedly because they couldn’t agree on a contract amount. Surely Meb’s request is a small number compared to what the Nike brand would have yielded from an Olympic spotlight.”

    Really? “Purportedly”? That’s it? That’s the crux of the author’s argument? Good lord…

    It’s arguable whether anyone at Nike deserves to be fired. But the author of this post should never be allowed to post this sort of crap ever again. That much I know.

    • Tiffanyendres

      Nike has a contract with Michael Vick and dropped Meb. What else needs to be explained or elaborated?

      • Bq14

        +1

      • Wibble1960

        That wraps it up nicely – advocate a convicted dog killer… what a class act he is!!

    • Guest

      It seemed pretty obvious that was a fictionalized conversation imagined to prove a point. I think everyone got that and took it for what it was worth.

    • runner26.2

      You, my literal minded friend, obviously missed the point.

    • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_V7M4ZHWS5SCWULL33NDJHG4ETE Michael

      Blake, I am sure if you already read the other comments you may have second thought about your statement. The interview was meant not meant to be literal. It seems that most of the other readers took the article for what it is: humor used to make a point. If you read everything literally you may have more issues than you exposed here. Or you are really a huge Nike fan (which is fine) and you wanted to defend them. I would defend my favorite running shoe also.

    • Carson

      Blake – Go to “Settings” and turn the Satire Sensor to “Engage”.

      Also, avoid The Onion.

  • Dennis Noble

    Yes. those people in the marketing they did not what are they doing!
    Meb has still something in running. we need more american to dominate the marathon running again .. back to glory like in the late 70′s and 80′s

  • 0266Paul

    Hey BlueJ149, I am transitioning to minimals in the GoRuns. I love them. Skechers does have a trainer, they’re called the SRR Prospeeds. I have them too and use them during training and marathons. These shoes are better than any Nike, Saucony, Asics, Brooks or Newtons I’ve used.

  • Tabby621

    Just do it – third….classic!!!!!

  • Winedaze

    Great article until the sketchers not making running shoes part. While they don’t have an extensive line up, they DO make some quality products for runners. My friend is a two a day marathoner and ONLY wears Sketchers.

  • http://profiles.google.com/gbeinhorn George Beinhorn

    Nike, with its billions, can’t recognize the power of class? What would it look like for them to sponsor an aging marathoner with a great story, huge moxie, an infectious personality, oddly likeable looks, and… Well, I’ll tell you. It would look mighty classy. Of course, that’s never been the purview of the “guys in marketing.” When bean counters take over, class goes. Always.

  • http://profiles.google.com/gbeinhorn George Beinhorn

    Neither Road Runner Sports or Running Warehouse carries Skechers. Bet that changes.

  • Jsizer

    I have been a runner for 40 years and have run in every make of shoe. I bought my first pair of Skechers just before the Trails because Meb now is endorsing them. I’m sure he will sell lots of shoes for them. Hooray for Meb. He will be a great representative for our country and for Skechers in London.

  • http://themfdre.com/ Andrea

    Wow, this is a disgrace to Nike Running. Sketchers? Seriously? For Reals? For Running? Kudos to Meb for showing them that they need to get over themselves.

    • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_V7M4ZHWS5SCWULL33NDJHG4ETE Michael

      Andrea, Have you run wearing Sketchers or looked at their running shoes? Not an extensive line…..But all you need is the one that works for you. If sketchers does not have a shoe for you- There are many other brands and shoes to choose from. I would run in Keds is they were a great shoe for me. And I would run in NIKE “nothing to do with the Meb issue” if it was the only shoe available. I could care less of the brand and their perception. Run in the Sketchers and then speak to your experience. IJS… Do you think Meb ran with the shoes off Sketchers shelf?

  • anotherrunner

    Meb is a class act. The day after the Olympic trials he was at the finish line of the Houston Marathon and half giving high fives to finishers. He and abdi (3rd in trials) didn’t have to be there. It was the highlight of my race!

  • Larissa Martin Ralph

    Nike will be representing in London because 2 of the American women, Shalane Flanigan (winner) and Kara Goucher (3rd), are sponsored at Track Town USA.

  • Jill Sherman

    Don’t forget the 2011 Boston Marathon snub!

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=504257233 Daniel Stout

    There are a lot of other (more important) reasons why people at Nike should lose their job. Take for instance, their treatment of foreign workers throughout the world.

  • Jon

    I get the gist of this, but I think the author is missing a main point. The Nike person responsible for dropping Meb is more likely to be promoted than to be fired because he got rid of a runner who isn’t considered “marketable”. The sad thing is he’s right. The question we should ask ourselves is “Why isn’t Meb marketable in this country and Ryan Hall is?”

    • Twils261

      Because we in this country need to prove we can compete at the world level with home-grown athletes. Meb and Abdi were great runners before they became citizens.

      • Volrunner

        Dude, Meb came to the US when he was 12. He may not have been born here, but was developed as a home-grown (US) runner.

  • Antrodale

    This is a great story! A champion runner stands up to a corporate ego, and wins the big race. That’s an American story. Its not what shoe you wear, its how you finish the race! Meb# 1.

  • Campkitten

    Nike is over-hyped and for narcissists anyway. I’m thrilled that no real athletes are represented by them.

    • guest

      no “real” athletes?

  • Pdshelton

    Nike shoes are complete junk anyhow.

  • Carina

    I think Meb is so awesome, maybe he could have run it in some Manolo heels and won it! Haha. I hate that Meb may not earn as much as he should because of what this country sees as marketable.

  • duncan

    There was a time when people said the same thing about Nike. Nike who? Everyone who was anyone ran in Adidas or Puma. But Nike was able to buy athletes for the big competitions and the rest is history. I think the point of this article is that an American company should support American athletes for patriotic reasons not just financial ones. Wow that’s just not how it’s done. So if Sketchers comes along and starts buying the top runners, are they more American??

  • Vonocean

    Aint buyn squat from Nike!

  • Rtaaffe

    Eh, Nike… shoes… Are we forgetting the athelete?

  • Gcastady

    Come on. Really? I mean I’m all for Meb sticking it to Nike, but in the grand scheme of things, this is a very tiny little blip on the Nike Radar.

  • HP

    Nike, Nike…..as usual letting go older athletes…I’m telling you from my personal experience with guess who Nike… sometimes older athletes can still perform and represent/market older athletes , in this case runners…can you tell me the average age of most marathoners in this country…..think about it, I assure you its over 30…..so why the market this group…do not get me wrong I think nike is a great product but….$$$$ is always inthe middle.