There have been constant complains from the online swim community about how we are not seeing enough race coverage this season. This is due to the Wasserman/SwimNetwork/USA Swimming partnership which restricts broadcast rights. We’ve already shared our stories about having our Nationals prelim footage pulled from YouTube, even though it wasn’t available anywhere else…
Many have tried to share footage from grand prix meets and been shut down. SwimNetwork was on the scene at the Ohio State Grand Prix, however no races were recorded. Some brave fans added some races to YouTube, and so far they are still there. *knock on wood*
To its credit, SwimNetwork is allowing fans to upload race footage to the SwimNetwork website. From there you can grab an embed code and share it elsewhere (a la YouTube). So, now there is at least a place where you can share it without wondering if “the man” is going to come after you or take your video down. That’s definitely a step in the right direction.
Another step is FloSwimming kissing and making up with USA Swimming & Co. We all really need to get along. After all, we all want the same thing; to promote the sport!
So another positive step is the announcement that this weekend’s Santa Clara International will be available on-demand on SwimNetwork.com. This includes interviews. From what I understand, Garrett from FloSwimming may be aiding in this effort. I was beyond thrilled when Swimming World Magazine made NCAAs available live and on-demand, and this is no different; especially since I was unable to make the trip out this year.
Yay for progress.
And kiwi - who will be covering Santa Clara fo Swim Stars this weekend - would like to make it known that she will not be doing her own installment of Tales From The Deck, like I did for the Ohio State meet. She is still a student and says:
I do not write for fun
Funny girl, that kiwi.
Also, more on the Aussies invading our shores can be found here. Cate Campbell v. Nat Coughlin is going to be a great race!
News of TYR’s lawsuit against USA Swimming, Mark Schubert, Speedo, and ErikVendt broke yesterday and I now share PMG President Evan Morgenstein’s full statement on the matter. PMG acts as Erik’s sports agency:
As of May 15, 2008, based on what I have determined to be unfair treatment of my client Erik Vendt, Premier Management Group (”PMG”) the largest Olympic athlete representation and marketing firm in the World representing over 30 Olympic icons and current athletes will no longer sign our clients with TYR Sport, effective immediately.
It is with shock and great despair that I was made aware of this unjust litigation against Erik who is known in the industry and out as the hardest working, most honest athlete there is. Having known Erik for many years, it is unconscionable to think that a company such as TYR has so badly misread their own contract. The ramifications will be swift and far reaching. Young swimmers and athletes around the world will wake up tomorrow and know that at least one company will stand up to the pressure of the almighty dollar and say enough is enough.
TYR Sport is no longer on our list of active apparel companies with whom we will do business with in the future. It is unfortunate since we have so many great athletes who currently endorse the company. We will continue to service our clients with our undivided attention but will surely make them aware of the unjust treatment their teammate and friend has endured. Erik’s reputation can never be repaired but there will be no limits to our commitment to justice for Erik!
TYR to Speedo, USA Swimming, Mark Schubert, & ErikVendt: “We’ll see you in court”
Someone’s a little upset it seems. Do swimwear companies usually sue their former sponsored athletes, rival companies, and governing bodies? If I had to guess, I’d say no. However, I’ve been wrong before.
TYR doesn’t like what USA Swimming (Mark Schubert) is doing re: pushing Speedo products. They’re also playing the role of jilted ex and are “in a fight with” Erik Vendt for leaving the company in favor of Speedo suits.
Omega wants to give the credentialed media members the chance to race in the Trials pool in Omaha. It’ll be a 50 Free race and the prize is a phatty new Omega watch.
The competition calls for journalists to predict their time and the closest guess to the actual finish wins the watch. So it doesn’t matter if you’re a seasoned swimmer-turned-media rep and hit the wall first. You will need to bust out your crystal ball to win!
Upon learning our credential applications were approved (yay!) we saw this and laughed. In fact, we’re still laughing. I’m surprised that I can type out this post, to be perfectly honest.
But don’t get your hopes up. We’re not entering this competition. I’ve already talked about what it takes for me to swim and a free watch — even a nice Omega one — doesn’t meet any of the criteria. Sorry to burst your big, fat, red, shiny bubbles.
I’m not going to get ahead of myself, though. It’s not set in stone that I’m even going to make it to Santa Clara. Yea, I know it’s only a week away. It’s complicated, ok?! But kiwi should be there, provided she doesn’t catch the lazies like she did for the Stanford Grand Prix.
Anyway, we anxiously await the psych sheet, which should hit the internets early next week.
ESPN’s weekly primetime newsmagazine, E:60, is already promoting its next show, which will air on Tuesday at 7:00 PM (ET).
Dara Torres and her quest to make her 5th Olympic team is the subject of one of their stories.
I’ve watched this show a few times and, in my opinion, it’s one of the more enjoyable programs that ESPN airs. It’s not full of ex-players and coaches giving opinions and color commentary (read: arguing and talking over each other), but rather focuses on the real sports storytelling and the behind-the-scenes stories that you won’t see on SportsCenter.
Speaking of SportsCenter…when the heck is Phelps‘ SC commercial going to start airing? He filmed it ages ago!
Anyway, be sure to tune in to to E:60, but if you can’t, video will probably be available here.
ETA: It airs at 7, not 7:30. My bad. Now there is a short preview available:
