There comes a time in your track career when (hopefully) you will get a chance to run at the Elite and World level.
What are the ins-and-outs in finding an agent, landing your first sponsor, and getting into big meets?
I had the chance to speak to Sports Agent Kris Mychasiw of Sprint Management (He’s also the COO of Bruny Surin’s The Surin Group)
Their roster includes Canada’s top sprinters (Justyn Warner of CoverGround.ca, Jared Connaughton and Mike Leblanc) and 3 of the 5 top Canadian women 100m hurdlers (Priscilla Lopes-Schliep, Phylicia George, and Nikkita Holder). They also represent other countries like Lerone Clarke of Jamaica and US born/Haitian triple jumper Samyr Laine.
You can watch some of Lerone Clark’s videos from 2011 here and 2012 here.
SIDENOTE: Samyr Laine is another story altogether, as he is one of the most educated athletes out there with a Harvard undergrad and a Law degree from Georgetown University… and still competing!
Our call on Skype was recorded a week before the 2012 World Indoor Championships in Istanbul, Turkey.
Kris and I discuss the key questions:
- Finding a good agent
- When to turn Professional
- How to land your first sponsor, i.e. the shoe contract, and other sponsors
- How to get into World class meets, and the crazy travel logistics for Europe (and the $40K credit card bills!)
- The role of the "Coach-Agent-Therapist" Triad
- Future financial planning when you retire
If you are an aspiring young athlete, this 20 minute call is a MUST watch video.
Jimson Lee
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VERY informative video that ALL upcoming track athletes should listen to! Great interview Jimson! (Kris is definitely one of the best and knows his stuff!!)
Thanks, Justyn, and GOOD LUCK in Instanbul! I thought it was time for the readers to get a closer look at Pro Track. Next article: How to get a Div 1 or Div 2 track scholarship in the USA.
Kris and his group also offer an impressive use of cutting edge social media and technology to support the athletes they work with.
@Scott, I agree, you can’t rely on TV anymore for exposure. You have to make yourself publicly available so when you line up in the blocks, the audience can connect with the athletes. Sprint Management has an impressive lineup.
LOL “It always helps to have a few sub 10’s to add some ammo to negotiations.” Sorry, but this shows the redundancy of an agent. If you are running sub 10’s, you don’t need an agent to negotiate get a deal worked out. Self negotiate your deal, do your own research and save paying the agent cut.
Kris gives props’ to his former coach at 18:10, Mel Keeling of the Fredericton Legion Track Club! Great insight into the world of high performance Athletics Kris. Thanks!
What kind of times are needed to turn pro in the hurdles. 110 and 400