Letter from the CEO and Founder of National Track and Field League (NTFL):
After the exciting array of sporting events and competitions that took place in the Olympics this past August, many athletes, teams, and fans have and will come home to assess their lives and future position in their sport. As these professional athletes search for their next opportunity in life, they move to new markets, change coaches, training partners, or sports entirely for a chance at a brighter future. In the sport of track and field it is not a secret that many athletes will come home without an opportunity to continue their career as a professional in one of the most acclaimed Olympic sports in the world. Elimination of their contracts, loss of opportunity for future development lead many to the decision of giving up on their dream for a sustainable position in the work force. Track and Field Fans are given limited opportunities a year to engage and enjoy track and field. Many youth and collegiate athletes stop their track and field careers often switching to new sports or pursuing careers outside of athletics for a chance to make a living while advancement in coaches beyond the collegiate level offers limited opportunity.
While the demands and challenges of our sport are clear, they cannot be overcome if we continue to only operate at the amateur level. Track and Field has maintained its amateur status while other sports have transitioned to professional systems providing growth and opportunities for their athletes, fans, and coaches. Every year, many track and field athletes struggle, turning to their part time jobs, families, and coaches to make it through difficult financial times. Many athletes have slept in their cars, cannot afford to buy food, and exhaust their own financial resources in order to succeed.
With Track and Field being categorized as an amateur sport, this limits the salaries for athletes, advancement opportunities for coaches and hinders the sport’s ability to grow and scale it’s fan base. Year after year, athletes and coaches demonstrate their dedication to the sport through hard work, determination, and sacrifices resulting in elite performances with very little in the end to show for it. Some often come home with only a medal and a newspaper headline that is often forgotten after the competition has concluded.
It is time for a change and chance to enhance the professionalism of Track and Field. We want to give our athletes and coaches the opportunity to make a living through our sport and perform at a higher level. As for our fans, the opportunity to tailgate, follow, and cheer on our favorite teams will bring excitement and engagement opportunities in the masses.
After several years of development, our company would like to introduce the National Track and Field League (NTFL). The NTFL is a professional track and field league that drafts collegiate athletes into professional teams around the country. It operates through eight teams with three different divisions: Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field, Cross Country, and Road Racing. Our mission is to bring the sport of track and field to the American public in a format that is familiar and easily embraced. We will provide professional track and field athletes with an opportunity to compete in a team-structured environment that will enhance their visibility with the American public. The NTFL will unify the athletes and fans of track and field by providing exciting competition and entertainment in a family friendly environment. We will have a full schedule and all members of our organization will receive compensation. The NTFL is structured to run the sport of track and field efficiently and professionally, providing athletes, coaches, employees, fans, and companies/organizations with an opportunity to engage with our brand and a new way to enjoy our sport.
We are currently seeking past and present track and field athletes of all levels, coaches, and officials to come on board as broadcasters, general managers, coaches, and commentators in addition to other employment opportunities to work for our teams and our league headquarters. In addition to league employment, we are also seeking sponsors of all levels. We are excited about the future of track and field and support from our community will be greatly appreciated as we all move forward into the future of our sport. If there are any fans, athletes, business personnel, companies/organizations, or coaches that would like to get involved with the National Track and Field League, please feel free to contact our team any time at [email protected]. Visit the corporate site for more information and overview on this exciting opportunity: www.thentfl.com
