The way how this story unfolded was an act of magic. The Unsponsored Project will be back so strong next year

The whole idea of Bandit Running is amazing and their execution was/is phenomenal! As a track and field athlete myself who wants to run professionally after college, just knowing there are people out their like this gives me hope that I will able to do it.

@yaelw5986

2 күн бұрын

Just looked up your stats- pretty impressive stuff! Keep pushing and training hard, hopefully we’ll see you on the big stage one day‼️💯

@CarterRauch

2 күн бұрын

@@yaelw5986 Thank you so much!!

In Japan there is something called 実業団or corporate teams. Essentially, Japanese athletes will work for a company part time (maybe 4 hrs a day, 5 days a week) and then will train with their corporate team. Often provided cheap housing, and discounted shoes or clothing through the company they work with. In exchange, their kits are whatever the corporation has connections with. Ie: a runner could work for Honda, and will be given a Nike kit that has Honda written across it. I think this is a great model bc it allows runners to still work a little but not have the burden of a full time job while still training w a team/ get discounted housing and clothes, while companies get advertising

@motz9920

3 сағат бұрын

Sounds perfect!

I enjoyed Bandit prior to this story but discovering the cause during the trials gives me a new level of appreciation. Well done

I heard of bandit because of Bassitt. Thanks for what you are doing.

I just learned of Bandit and this program through this video. I went straight to the Bandit website to find someway to support Bandit in response. Sadly, I'm a ultrarunner so not a lot of fit, but i WILL purchase something ... arm sleeves perhaps. Kudos Bandit.

Beautifully made! Shoutout to Tim and the rest of the Bandit team. Was awesome to see Bassitt make it on to the team repping the Bandit kit.

As a Marketer, I love this initiative and I could get behind this..

Bandit’s changing running for the better. “Unsponsored” is brilliant and I can only imagine the feel-good boost this gives you, deservedly. I can’t wait to see Bandit reach the full time sponsorship era!

I love that you're doing this. I first heard about you from some of your videos before the US Olympic marathon trials. I am glad that you're doing this for a few people now. Bravo!!

What a great initiative to support athletes.

It’s crazy that a 25 min 5k runner with Vaporflys “running influencer” is probably making more than some professional runners

I'm working towards creating a FREE OF CHARGE aviation network {North America} primarily for the Freedom and Liberty community, but after watching this video, as a competitive runner myself, I would be delighted to give unsponsored track and field athletes free air travel to meets to save them lots of money if they're interested. But be patient, I'm working on it as fast as I can. But this video made my day because now I have a group of people who could really benefit from what I'm trying to create. It gives me motivation to forge ahead. Thanks for the fantastic video.

@ayeeffvee8173

Күн бұрын

that would be so dope

@RocketSauce666

Күн бұрын

Very generous offer... curious what the "Freedom and Liberty" community is?

@jacobdoyle420

4 сағат бұрын

Sad

20 pairs of shoes a year.. shoe companies kinda treating these athletes like skateboarders ..free gear, and minimal, if any $$$. wow😮

So well said, so well executed by Bandit, we need more of this honesty and light shed on one of the things that’s killing our sport from the centre. If you ever want to expand to the UK we’d love to have you ❤

It's a shame that track and field doesn't make as much money as other big sports, even though running is loved by people of all ages, genders, places, and incomes. Even some of top athletes don't get paid well, as mentioned in the video. It's not just in the U.S.; it's the same everywhere. I hope one day track and field becomes more popular and more athletes get the pay they deserve.

@kevingresser8477

16 сағат бұрын

In France, few Olympians athletes have good support and live well with track and field. Majority have a work besides their trainings, Bad facilities, high cost for Travels, stages etc. Such a pity, you spend ~ 50k a year to finance and keep high level. competiting.

Thank you for keeping the dream alive and honoring the spirit of the sport

So how is bandit making money and growing?

@RocketSauce666

Күн бұрын

Yes, I have the same question. I am happy to believe the company has the athletes best interests in mind, but it's a company with 11 employees... something has to pay those bills. Is the idea to get people to support the brand by buying gear? Is the "buy out" clause in the contracts small relative to the size of pro contracts, but large relative to the size of the Bandit contract (e.g. they get paid some dough to let the athlete sign with Nike or Adidas or OA or whoever)?

This is an incredible idea! Let’s us know how us track fans can support! Would love to see more athletes supported through their journeys 👏🏾

Incredible isn't it that Sebastian Coe has had three terms as the President of World Athletics and yet here we are, track and field athletes still struggling to make a living. The fish always stinks from the head, and these people need to held accountable. By the way, today Coe is having a photoshot with the Ukraine President.

@johnwilson5743

2 күн бұрын

Sorry, your logic doesn't flow. What have athletes struggling to make a living (except for that small handful of the very top group) got to do with Seb Coe being President of World Athletics? Yes, he was a very successful athlete himself and does look at things from an athletes perspective. But he doesn't provide tens of millions for the "average" runner who wants to make a living at their chosen sport but isn't good enough? The same with Rugby. (going by your title) Top Rugby players who play for the National Teams and the Top Clubs, do OK financially. But those at lower grades are lucky to survive as Professional Rugby Players. Essentially, they play for the love of their sport. Like most Runners.

@insiderugbywithmark

Күн бұрын

@@johnwilson5743 in your opinion. Ok, a little more information so you can understand. 90% of athletes attending this Olympic Games are either funding themselves, or relying on Government funding which is never guaranteed. The Olympics the pinnacle of world sport, and the majority of athletes have to beg, borrow or steal to just get there. Like in any business, the leader, in the case of World Athletics Seb Coe is accountable for every strategic decision that is made when he is in charge. Therefore, over his three terms as President he has done nothing at all with his ex team to assist Athletes who he wants to use to promote the sport to earn a basic income, this should be his no 1 priority in my opinion. You probably wouldnt know how many Olympic medal winners have after their Games been declared bankrupt, in my book that isn´t right. So yes, any CEO or leader must do that, lead, manage, innovate and grow the business for all or leave. Just because he was a good athlete doesnt make him a good business man, and he isnt.

@Astro2024

12 сағат бұрын

​@johnwilson5743 Sorry, your logic doesn't flow. Most of the top track athletes aren't decided by who makes the national team or even makes it to the finals in the Olympics, it's who medals at worlds or the Olympics regardless of time. So it's a much higher selection criteria

@johnwilson5743

7 сағат бұрын

@@Astro2024 Hi Astro. Please read the comments carefully next time. The national team I referred to was in Rugby, not a national team in athletics. Plus, it is World Record holders PLUS Gold medalists at Olympics (NOT World Champs or even Indoor Champs) who attract the greatest sponsorship deals in Athletics. Of course, some top grade runners get certain sponsorship deals because of the way they look, not just results. Pay attention to details before commenting.

@jacobdoyle420

4 сағат бұрын

Hi John, this is track and field, not rugby. Your weird equivalency is not the analogy you thought it was. Your entire argument is moot because Shacarri's deal proves it wrong simply in her existence. One of the highest paid athletes with zero Olympic experience. Gawking to people to 'pay attention to details' is not the argument you think it is, mostly because the details you personally pay attention to are seemingly irrelevant. To be specific, the OP was implying that Seb Coe has failed drastically at advocating for the athlete, a point you seem to have missed. Lastly, your implication that athletes get deals because of how they look is ludicrous 😂😂😂😂😂 a fashionable appearance doesn't do anything in t&f but piss ignorant people off.

Would love to be on either end of this. Either as an athlete or the brand and helping athletes out!!!

I'M TEAM BASSETT

This is a super cool initiative for both the athletes and the Bandit brand.

This video needs more attention!

I love this channel and the dedication you guys have towards your mission. liked and subscribed!

This is a great story and a great cause, well done to everyone involved!

Super excited!

This is so cool! And an awesome video to boot

You guys rock. Thank you for helping take care of these amazing athletes!

Love all of this and excited to see where your company goes!

This is amazing! Fully support this movement and Bandit!!

Thanks for starting to address this glaring problem for athletes. Hope we can change the model

Love this you guys, another w 🎉

This is unreal. Such good insight

Non-shoe sponsors are the way. Nikki Hiltz, our top qualifier in the women's *1500 run, got dropped by Adidas last year but then got picked up by the Lululemon clothing company. *all three American women have run the 1500 in 3.55.......our fastest crew EVER, and hopefully competitive with Kenya and Ethiopia.

@djlemma

Күн бұрын

Lululemon also sponsors Tara Davis-Woodhall who won the long jump at the trials in a bit of a nail biter

@jacobdoyle420

4 сағат бұрын

Amazing, and I watch US track religiously, but I will be happily surprised if an American medals in the women's 1500

Love this and the Bandit team, bravo 👏🏽

Awesome project, and cool to see a brand so in touch with the realities of pro and almost-pro athletes.

amazing video! props! i am a runner and feel this!!

Time to think outside the box (outside of shoes company) and reach out to atypical brands. It’s not easy but the footwear brands have to much power in this space

Absolute fire 🔥 this gave me chills!

This deal is truly commendable. We extend our appreciation to you and, of course, the exceptional Aiden Tooker! 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

This is so amazing

So great you are doing this. I've been wanting to do something similar with paralympic athletes, as I have a background in wheelchair sports.

Awesome! 👏🏼

Really like this philosophy and business model.

I see a lot of athletes starting youtube channels and getting non-gear sponsors like coros / nutrition or selling their own merch. Do you think this works at scale?

Messi with Barcelona over $100,000,000/year; Ohtani with Dodgers over $70,000,000/year; Curry with Golden State $60,000,000/year; PGA caddies over $100,000/year.

Will The Unsponsored Project come to ultra running?

this is awesome

Think the best way of changing how runners are paid is having a wealthy person/group to start a proper league or tournament that can run yearly, the model that multi athlete sports use everywhere else

@jacobdoyle420

4 сағат бұрын

Have you heard of Michael Johnson's Grand Slam league?

This is absolutely sick and I 100% love what you're doing for athletes and the track community, but your prices also feel high for running gear. I understand it's a smaller company and there are increased costs when you can't mass produce products overseas, but is there anything else prompting this?

❤

I’m 20 years old I started running 2923 September my 10km PB 30:50 I dm puma they don’t want me I’m currently training for the world record 10k they will regret when I broke that record next year

@jacobdoyle420

4 сағат бұрын

Having realistic expectations is incredibly important

BANDIT GETS EXPOSURE.. when u you see these "Unsoponsored" Athletes rock their kit in Every event televised or not. Let's get REALISTIC. here... Nothing to lose from Bandit's Marketing.. if that athlete loses the even, NO skin off the Bandit Brand.

Comment for the algorithm.

W

One time, I stayed at a motel 6 in Albuquerque for US indoors. I was able to afford to compete by driving/moving (with a car packed with all my stuff). Going from Oklahoma to Sacramento. I was praying not to have my car broke into and robbed while i was competing and it was unattended for hours.

@jacobdoyle420

4 сағат бұрын

Have fun living in fear 😂

There's an Olympian.. who still works at Walmart. Go figure.

Track has always been severely underpaid.

2 week contracts, but what’s the terms of the deal? Still a lack of transparency.. would be more advantageous for the sport if you actually released terms of the contracts.