by Larry Eder
If we expect to be taken seriously in this sport, we need to learn to play well with others. The AAM meeting (release below), just finished earlier today in Boston, MA included 40 athletic managers, 4 shoe companies, several meet directors from the Samsung Diamond League , and several representatives IAAF and USATF.
If one reads the release verbatim, one would be pleased to see that many topics were addressed, and while answers may not have been found, the beginnings of a conversation have been started. RBR has already received several positive phone calls on the meetings, and encourages more shoe company representatives, and managers to take note of next years meetings.
PRESS RELEASE
BOSTON: The Association of Athletics Managers (AAM) representing most of the
world´s top athletes completed their three day Annual Meeting in Boston (Nov
9-11). Along with representatives from Samsung Diamond League Organizers (DL)
and world´s major shoe companies they agreed to continue their strong
relationship by forming a working group which will meet several times
throughout the year, building common platforms to market their athletes in the
worlds largest athletics meetings.
AAM was pleased to welcome again IAAF
Vice-President Bob Hersh with Special advisor to IAAF President, Sandro
Giovannelli. They discussed many important topics from the 2010 season with a
view from the world governing body´s perspective.
AAM welcomed representatives
of the Samsung Diamond League, board members Bob Hersh, Patrick Magyar
(Zurich) and Rajne Soderberg (Stockholm). Also present were Diamond League
organizers from London, Rome, Oslo, Lausanne, New York and Shanghai. Managers
praised the inaugural year of the new series on behalf of their athletes. In
the ongoing discussions with DL meeting organizers the AAM proposed changes
related mainly to the prize money structure, the points scoring and
qualifications for the final. These proposals will be taken to the DL General
Assembly in November in Monte Carlo.
The AAM, Diamond League and represented
shoe companies (adidas, Nike, Reebok, Saucony) expressed their concerns
regarding the future television global coverage of our sport. Continuing
discussion regarding new IAAF Athlete Representatives guidelines took place
between AAM and IAAF Vice-President Bob Hersh. AAM members are pleased that the
IAAF agreed to postpone the new system of the agents registration and licensing
until all related parties will be in agreement.
The Association of
Athletics Managers (AAM) welcomed 8 new members and is currently a group
of 40 leading managers representing many of the top stars in athletics,
including Usain Bolt, Yelena Isinbayeva, Tyson Gay, Asafa Powell, Kenenisa Bekele,
David Rudisha, David Oliver, Ivan Ukhov, Andreas Thorkildsen and Blanka Vlasic.
The next General Assembly of the AAM will take place in Amsterdam, November 9-11,
2011.
For more on the AAM, please click on www.athleticsmanagers.com.
