#!markdown
Unfortunately, the live TV and FMB era are here to stay. This is what drives
sponsorship dollars through the roof and in turn brings large corporations to
the table. Do you think Polaris would want any part of sponsoring this event
if their RZR logo wasn't on the step up and being broadcast to millions? Or
called out a thousand times during the feed, that's what marketers want, it's
easy and quick marketing for a product. The FEST series has definitely made us
aware that rider driven events are possible and they are pushing the sports
back to roots, which I can definitely appreciate, but large corporations
outside of the action sports community seldom view the FEST as a return on
investment (which is honestly too bad!)
Do you the riders deserve a larger piece of the pie? Hell yes they do, Zink
has been pioneering that for ages, but the only way to get these riders paid,
or even covered by insurance is to keep broadcasting this as a Live feed and
on TV. I am friends with many riders, most of them make next to no money, they
are all doing this for themselves. But we are at a tipping point in the sport,
where the prize purse, insurance, and other rider expenses are either going to
have to increase or most of these events will be dissolved and MTB will become
what BMX is now, media focused.
The FMB and Red Bull have pushed our sport in the right direction in my
opinion, making it easily accessible for riders globally and bringing the
talent pool together collectively. Although, now they need start pushing it
towards rider safety and keeping these high level athletes safe. How will that
happen? I'm not entirely sure, but I am sure they will figure it out. I know
safety is a huge concern with the FMB, but they still have a show to put on.
Your X-games example is right and wrong, the finals were delayed due to wind
and riders were given the choice to ride or not, there may have been some
pressure to put on a show for the world, but I know a lot of those riders felt
it was necessary for our sport to put on a good showing, since it was the
inaugural slope event in the X-games. I know for a fact that all of the riders
wanted to be there and ride that course, no matter how poor it was, because
most of them have been doing it for themselves for years and felt it was an
opportunity to show how gnarly our sport can be. Yes, Sam was ridiculed, which
is unfortunate and unfair to him, he made a decision, the option to ride or
not ride was given to him, I have my doubts he felt any pressure from fellow
riders and event coordinators.
Now back to Rampage, I expect there to be changes in contest format due to the
unfortunate circumstances of Paul. But how do they regulate those changes? I
saw claw post about how there are revisions underway already. So only time
will tell. Rampage, in my opinion, is the greatest sporting spectacle on this
planet, but like many have expressed, I too feel some changes need to be made
to benefit the riders. Long live Rampage and long live all the riders who
compete! My thoughts are with Paul Bas for a speedy recovery
Oct. 22, 2015, 8:05 a.m. - Brad Scholl
#!markdown Unfortunately, the live TV and FMB era are here to stay. This is what drives sponsorship dollars through the roof and in turn brings large corporations to the table. Do you think Polaris would want any part of sponsoring this event if their RZR logo wasn't on the step up and being broadcast to millions? Or called out a thousand times during the feed, that's what marketers want, it's easy and quick marketing for a product. The FEST series has definitely made us aware that rider driven events are possible and they are pushing the sports back to roots, which I can definitely appreciate, but large corporations outside of the action sports community seldom view the FEST as a return on investment (which is honestly too bad!) Do you the riders deserve a larger piece of the pie? Hell yes they do, Zink has been pioneering that for ages, but the only way to get these riders paid, or even covered by insurance is to keep broadcasting this as a Live feed and on TV. I am friends with many riders, most of them make next to no money, they are all doing this for themselves. But we are at a tipping point in the sport, where the prize purse, insurance, and other rider expenses are either going to have to increase or most of these events will be dissolved and MTB will become what BMX is now, media focused. The FMB and Red Bull have pushed our sport in the right direction in my opinion, making it easily accessible for riders globally and bringing the talent pool together collectively. Although, now they need start pushing it towards rider safety and keeping these high level athletes safe. How will that happen? I'm not entirely sure, but I am sure they will figure it out. I know safety is a huge concern with the FMB, but they still have a show to put on. Your X-games example is right and wrong, the finals were delayed due to wind and riders were given the choice to ride or not, there may have been some pressure to put on a show for the world, but I know a lot of those riders felt it was necessary for our sport to put on a good showing, since it was the inaugural slope event in the X-games. I know for a fact that all of the riders wanted to be there and ride that course, no matter how poor it was, because most of them have been doing it for themselves for years and felt it was an opportunity to show how gnarly our sport can be. Yes, Sam was ridiculed, which is unfortunate and unfair to him, he made a decision, the option to ride or not ride was given to him, I have my doubts he felt any pressure from fellow riders and event coordinators. Now back to Rampage, I expect there to be changes in contest format due to the unfortunate circumstances of Paul. But how do they regulate those changes? I saw claw post about how there are revisions underway already. So only time will tell. Rampage, in my opinion, is the greatest sporting spectacle on this planet, but like many have expressed, I too feel some changes need to be made to benefit the riders. Long live Rampage and long live all the riders who compete! My thoughts are with Paul Bas for a speedy recovery