What is the Track & Field Athletes Association (TFAA)?

TFAA stands for the Track and Field Athletes Association. We are a 501(c)(4) organization that was formed by your peers to support the professional track and field athlete. Over the years we expect the support to take many shapes and sizes. However, it's important that you understand some of the basics.

The Playing Field

There are over 50 men's and women's events falling under the jurisdiction of USA Track and Field (USATF). USATF operates independently in some ways, but it is largely influenced by the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) and the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF). Sponsor companies can choose between an individual, a federation - USATF or IAAF, or the USOC (and it's parent the International Olympic Committee). Managers "create" income streams for the athletes they represent, and meet directors raise additional moneys from other sponsors, negotiate with all the groups, and provide a location to feature the events. Let's just simplify and say it's probably the most complex sports environment in the world.

Unfortunately, while all the previously mentioned groups fight for control and influence, no one represents the athletes collectively. This fact allows these groups to continue exploit the helpless individual athlete. The TFAA will attempt to reverse some past oversights and push for new changes that benefit all athletes.

Our Agenda

We have short and long term goals.

First, we need you to push our message outwards. We need you all to look across the event groups and see the strength that we have together. Our diversity has been exploited for years as weakness. It is strength and we need you all to reach across the gaps and offer a hand to your fellow athletes. Understand that we may have different needs, but each is important and needs to be heard.

Second, this is your association. We realize that we don't have a long history at this point that deserves your blind faith. We want you to ask questions, make suggestions, and help direct your association. Over time we will win your trust by answering those questions, listening to your suggestions, and communicating our direction and initiatives and how this will benefit you.

Third, we've already identified some items that require immediate action and with your help we can start the conversations. These items are:

Collective Bargaining: "Together we stand, Divided we fall." We've suffered a lot of falls unknowingly over the years and we have the scars to prove it.
Number of Sponsorships on a competitive uniform: We're not saying that everyone will have 10 logos on their competition gear, but we should have the right to do that if we want to. Collective bargaining can help us win this right. More sponsor opportunities on our uniforms could increase the number of corporate sponsors for USATF which could improve revenue sharing (See next bullet).
Revenue Sharing: We can push back on USATF to provide more athlete funding in the manner that WE thinks works best.
Protect Your Image: Currently, your image can be used by a number of organizations to promote or sell an event. You can't even use the images of yourself unless you have permission.
Other: There are number of other issues that we can address with collective bargaining. Actually, too numerous to list. However, if you ever feel like you have a problem with an agent, sponsor, federation, or meet director, our collective power will provide you a lot of leverage to make your grievance heard.
Mentoring System: What's a good contract? How much should you pay your agent? Who do I need to speak with about insurance? Is this a good idea? Mentors do more than just answer simple questions. They pass on information to the next generation so we don't continue to repeat the same mistakes as our predecessors.
Retirement Package: This is perhaps our biggest initiative. We will establish an investment vehicle that protects the long-term interest of our members. We intend to leverage our position as your athletes' association to request matching donations from USATF and other groups. We do this because we want all of our members to have some long-term financial security to show for the years of hard work.

What's next?

Determine whether or not you're eligible to join the TFAA as an Athlete Member. To determine eligibility, you must be able to answer yes to one of the following questions:

Did you compete at USATF Indoor or Outdoor National Championships?
Do you consider yourself a professional track and field athlete? (Do you make your living from track and field competitions?)
Are you ranked in the top 20 in the United States as a cross country runner?
Are you ranked in the top 20 in the United States as a road racer?
Are you ranked in the top 20 in the United States as a race walker?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you're most likely eligible to join the TFAA as an Athlete Member.

You can also join the TFAA as a Non-Athlete Member, to be a part of the TFAA cause and support the athlete members.

All you need to do is register at http://trackandfieldathletesassociation.org/register.php. Membership fees are $20 per year.