Josh Kerr’s Quirky Take on Track and Field Wealth
In a world where track and field medalists are showered with the same cash rewards as a decent barbecue dinner, Josh Kerr has taken to the soapbox. The 26-year-old recently snatched the gold in the 3,000m indoor championship and promptly declared the $40,000 (£31,500) prize “crazy” compared to, well, literally any other sport that isn’t wrestling in an alley.
But fear not! Kerr isn’t just grumbling over a measly paycheck; he’s also a big fan of Michael Johnson’s ambitious plan to roll out a new U.S.-funded athletics league by 2025. Johnson, we can assume, has unraveled more millions than a child on a sugar high at a candy store. Who knew that turning athletics into a TV-friendly team spectacle could be as lucrative as hard-sell infomercials?
“There isn’t much information, but Johnson has a voice louder than a foghorn,” Kerr quipped. “It’s like he wants to rouse the sleeping giant of athletics. And let’s be real, the giants in this case are probably just bored spectators watching grass grow.” Kerr seems hopeful that options will materialize, allowing athletes to finally make a living that doesn’t involve living with their parents.
However, amidst all the enthusiasm, Kerr can’t help but play the “poor athlete” card. Winning $40,000 for a gold medal feels like scraping together enough coins for a cup of coffee compared to the treasure chests other sports seem to have. “We need to bring some validity to these championships,” he lamented, while secretly wishing he could magically unearth giant checks from a sports fairy.
Our star athlete acknowledges the talent parade that includes the likes of Noah Lyles and Grant Holloway. But alas, even these legends can’t pay rent with a few grand; their appearance fees are starting to resemble the GDP of a small country. “Let’s get serious! If we want these athletes to race more, we’ve got to entice them with money that even a squirrel would drool over,” he declared, aiming his sights on head-to-head races rather than their current style of head-scratching.
The conversation took a slight detour when Kerr was asked about the Saudi Public Investment Fund looking to dip its toes into the track and field pool. Surprisingly, he didn’t dismiss the idea outright. “We are treading a fine line with the whole LIV Golf scenario—like walking a tightrope on a windy day.” But hey, if someone wants to invest a slab of cash in the sport, who are we to argue? We could always use a few more dollar bills in our metaphorical piggy bank.
“World Athletics is trying to impress investors like a teenage boy trying to catch a crush’s attention,” Kerr mused. “With the Olympics around the corner in 2024, the race isn’t just on the track—it’s also in the boardrooms!” So, who knows? Perhaps one day, viewers will tune in en masse, not just for athletic prowess but also to see how much cash can be stuffed into a pair of spandex shorts.
