In the wake of the recent, unexpected firing of USA Triathlon executive director Skip Gilbert we offer one question?
What has USA Triathlon (USAT) done for me lately?
Because you (Mr. and Mrs. amateur triathlete) are the main reason why USAT exists and yet....
Here are just some of the latest press releases issued by USAT:
1) USAT, Endurance Films Extend Partnership Agreement
2) USAT, EcoSportsBottle.com Ink Three-Year Partnership Deal
3) USA Triathlon Renews Partnership with Textile Solutions
4) USAT Renews Partnership with Endless Pools
And let's not forget yesterday's press release:
USA Triathlon Announces Four Partnerships
"COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – USA Triathlon announced Wednesday that it has extended partnerships with DeFeet International, Liberty Mutual Insurance and TriTats through 2011, and added Minerva Health Technologies as an official associate partner."
Wow. Four new corporate partnerships in one day.
So let us just review.
As of yesterday's press release we know that USAT is certainly selling access to it's membership (that would be you) to:
- DeFeet International
- Liberty Mutual Insurance
- TriTats
- Minerva Health Technologies
And we can't forget the USAT email we just got while writing this opinion and editorial story entitled:
"Christmas in September...4 smoking deals from Rudy Project"
Wow, such a bargain! Thanks USAT and Rudy...we couldn't had Christmas in September without you.
According to published reports, Gilbert was fired from his position because of a disagreement with the USAT board of directors.
That disagreement, according to another published report, seems to have centered around a potential conflict of interest having to do with his Gilbert's wife and paid work she did for USAT.
The Colorado Springs Gazette reports that:
"Gilbert maintains he leaves USA Triathlon without any regrets, his tenure highlighted by a bottom line that soared from $2.7 million to $6.8 million, memberships that grew from 58,073 to 134,942 and a stable of corporate partners including Bank of America, Garmin and Gatorade. The 47-person staff will move into new offices in the Springs on Sept. 15."
So we know that USAT now has:
- Bigger offices
- More members
- Bigger budget
- Bigger staff
- More corporate partners
But what has USAT done for you lately...besides (of course) sell access to you and your family to (sorry, we of course mean partner with) almost any corporation that knocks on its doors?
Perhaps the new incoming USA Triathlon executive director might ponder that simple question before "partnering" with yet another company that only wants to sell more stuff.