revolver26

@jsnfschr: way to miss the point and run with it. My reply was to someone saying that the athletes here’s are being selfish. In no sane world can I see how paying out of your own pocket and taking a financial loss to compete in an event, and put on a show that is seen around the world by millions, is selfish. Let me ask this: do you think the organizers are paying for their own travel out of their pockets, or is that from event sponsors money?

The paying customers buy the event tickets from Crankworxs, not the riders. The majority of the competitors do not see any of that money. Do you know how many of these riders have any meaningful sponsorship money? How many are scraping together money from a job that they are trying to hold down while trying to train, pay for gas, vehicle, food and rent, and still have such a desire to be in the sport that they pay for their own airline tickets and expenses to get to the event and put a show on for the fans? Most of the competitors pay significantly more, out of their own pockets, to come to these events than they could ever hope of recouping - therefore they are paying so that you can watch them. These riders show up to the competition out of love for the sport, love of the friends and for anyone who enjoys watching. When they get hurt, break a bone (or two or three) in a competition (where the fans have paid the organizers), they can’t work a job or even get around very well. Think about how a concussion or breaking an arm or a leg impacts being able to hold down a job. They have to do weeks, months or even a year to get back….. that’s on them and it’s out of their pocket. Neither the organizers, nor the spectators are paying their rehab bills, rent, or food during that time. Many riders have been in this position more than a few times. So if you can find a way to understand that this move from the riders to stand their ground is not done without thought and hope of a better situation for those who struggle to get you ‘your’ show, and not intentionally let you down because they love it so much. They want a situation where they can keep riding, pay their bills and expenses and have some left over to take care of any recovery so you can have a great time.

The reality is that the event organizers have created a global, festival style event that many of the slopestyle riders can no longer afford to participate in. There is no longer any meaningful sponsorship money available to many of the riders. Unless you are regularly on the podium, the riders simply can’t afford to be flying around the world. This discourages and even prohibits new talent from entering the sport. This is not a sustainable model for slopestyle. I fully support the riders actions and hope that promoters, event organizers and the industry as a whole can do better going forward.

“ The new public survey will feature questions on race coverage, rider pay and other important questions about the sport's health and how you interact with racing in 2024.” You know there is more to this sport than racing!