Katie Comptons contract with PlanetBike not renewed

[OakLeaf]

This whole topic was brought up to bring attention to an area that I thought everyone would have a concern about. I'm definitely concerned about equal pay for EVERYONE!!

However, it seems that we are concentrating on behavior issues, and whether we all approve or disapprove. Some say it's not professional, have you ever watched a professional team sport? They trash talk with opponents and teammates all the time! And I don't see anyone bringing up that subject anywhere online. So, let's just get back to the subject at hand. What can each of us do to encourage sponsers/employers to pay everyone equally? Afterall, that is why this subject was brought up in the first place.

What can each of us do? Not use words denoting "female" as insults, to begin with. You want to trash talk someone, call them "dog" or "slug" or "snail" or ANYTHING but "p******" or "ladies" or the like.

[tulip]

I don't know who Katie Compton is. I don't know who any of the men CX racers are, either. I do know what Planet Bike is and I have their fenders.

If I need some fenders, and I go to a bike shop to get some, and they have stopped carrying Planet Bike fenders because they no longer sponsor some racer I've never heard of (for reasons that we just don't know), that shop better have some alternate fenders to sell me. Otherwise, I'll get my fenders elsewhere.

And yes, I'm a former racer. I raced road and mtb in the 1980s. Women's racing has been "coming into its own" for decades. As far as I can tell, it's not making much progress.

Protesting by refusing to carry a product doesn't seem to make much sense. Instead, why not have your shop sponsor Ms. Compton? Even a little bit. That way, you could have pictures of her in your shop, and thereby educate your customers on the elites of CX racing while supporting a top-class racer.

[AllezGirl]

Seriously SK? Someone tries to bring up a legitimate issue and you're nitpicking on an "s"?

Sponsors are important. My team's bike sponsor, a major brand, just pulled out. It has nothing to do with the company's financials. They are still sponsoring men's teams, and have even picked up at least one local amateur men's team here that I know of. And yes, I'm a little unhappy about it! This is a company that I have been loyal to for years. All of my bikes and most of my gear has their name emblazoned all over it. I don't want to support a company that doesn't support me. But I can't afford not to.

Here's where the difference lies. If I were on a men's team, even on a lower cat level, I'd more than likely be given a new frame, kits and helmet, or at least the opportunity to buy below cost, by a new sponsor. But I ride for a women's team. I'm expected to be happy with 10% off retail? That stinks.

The obstacles, and inequalities, that face women in this sport are very real. For me, it is something to get angry about. If you don't feel the same way, fine. But don't belittle the issue by focusing on unladylike language in the peleton or grammar.

[SadieKate]

Seriously SK? Someone tries to bring up a legitimate issue and you're nitpicking on an "s"?

Yes, If I were Katie Compton or her sponsor, I'd want her correct name used. This thread has made a few people aware of her for the first time, so better to be sure they have her proper name. I think there are very, very few of us that want to be called by the wrong name repeatedly.

[TxDoc]

My team's bike sponsor, a major brand, just pulled out. It has nothing to do with the company's financials.

Actually, it always does. A commercial entity that decides to act as a sponsor is, in a way, making an investment. It is a publicitary investment - or a PR investment if you like.
The more people know and watch the athletes sponsored - the more likely it is that the company will see a return for the investment.

How many people watch the Giro d'Italia or the Tour the France on TV? How many actually plan their travel to go and follow the races?
Take those numbers and compare them to the number of people that watch the Giro Donne. Not much of a match, right?
How big was the audience for the men road race or TT in Mendrisio? How many watched the women race? This is what counts for the company making the investment.

If the men team is followed by more fans, then the likelihood of some of those fans purchasing the company products (bicycles, kits, helmets, clothes, cars, whatever) is higher. I am not at all suprised that a company may decide to drop a women semi-pro or pro team and sponsor a men amateur team - if this is more likely to generate a return on the investment. The audience is bigger for men cycling than for women races, it's a demonstrated fact. If you invest on a men team you make a bigger return than investing on a women team, period.

You may get angry because your male colleagues receive one or more bikes and kits etc - and you only receive 10% off retail. But the truth of the matter is that probably in the eyes of the company your productivity as investment is even less than the 10% you are given.
How many items (bicycles or whatever they are) are sold because of your team? And how many because of the men team? That is the question we should ask. And the related question would be - how do we promote women cycling so that in time the popularity of the women races will match the popularity of men races? If you want the same sponsor benefit - the only way is to be in a situation where the company perceives the same return on investment by sponsoring men and women. And we are definitely not there yet.

I agree with Tulip - there's not been much progress. More women ride, more women race - but women races are not very popular yet. I am sure that if we all do our part, it will come with time, but it will really take time.
Until that time comes - we must not be surprised that company decide to do what is best for them, which is: invest in something that guarantees a better return. Men cycling guarantess a certain audience and certain sales, women does not at this time. That's pretty much it. it has nothing to do with discrimination - and everything to do with financials.

[pinkbikes]

TxDoc - you took the words right out of my mouth! Sponsors don't pay for results. They pay for exposure. If somebody with lesser results gets better exposure, then that may well represent a better investment to the sponsor.

[Ritamarie]

TxDoc - you took the words right out of my mouth! Sponsors don't pay for results. They pay for exposure. If somebody with lesser results gets better exposure, then that may well represent a better investment to the sponsor.

+1 The reality is, they are a business, not a charity. Sponsorship is advertising. Results of any advertising is what counts, not what is "fair" to those selling the advertising.

If anyone has the time to set it up, it would be interesting to see a poll asking women here if they 1. follow racing, 2. follow specifically women's racing, 3. do the women racers influence their buying decisions, ect, ect

[SheFly]

I think there are two distinct issues here:

1. Katie Compton has lost her sponsor.
2. Women cyclists don't get paid as much or receive as much sponsorship as their male counterparts (in general).

As it relates to 1., unless you are Katie, or the sponsor, you don't know why the decision was made. It could have NOTHING to do with the fact that Katie is a woman. It could have to do with economic decisions, personality issues, etc., etc., etc.. That was my point in my original post - don't immediately jump to discrimination as the cause.

As it relates to 2., this is a larger issue in the sport - one that lots of female racers (self included here) take issue with. I don't have the answers on how to make it more equitable, but can point out that the numbers of women racers vs. men are much lower in most regions. We are trying to work that in our region - reaching out and encouraging more women to come out and race.

The real question for discussion is how do we impact this positively?

SheFly

[AllezGirl]

I hear what you're saying TxDoc. And I'll admit that it's only been a couple of days since I was told that we lost our sponsor (the big one), so I'm still seeing red at the moment.

I race for an amateur women's race squad that is part of a women's club of 100+ members. This sponsor did not just drop the race team, they dropped the whole club. The total amount (cash and free gear) this company gave to our club per year was less than my carbon frame (heavily discounted, but not free)...and I intended to buy a new one this year. So I think they were getting a pretty good return on their investment.

I won't cry discrimination. Although, at least at the moment, I do feel it. I am going to ask the regional rep why he thinks the company decided to pull. Not because I'm angry, but because now I'm curious...you got me thinking.

And just so I don't come off as being whiny...I personally race bikes for fun. Heck, I pay to do it, and I don't get a lot in return. I'm grateful for every little bit I get. But, when I see my neighbor getting more...not because he's stronger or faster, riding for a bigger team or bringing more fans to the race (I drag my kid AND bf to the office park all the time)...but because he has an appendage I don't? It burns me a little.

Sponsoring Katie is a great idea. These women need our support. Laura's trip to Tabor for CX World's came out of her pocket. The local community came together and held multiple fundraisers to help defer some costs. Every little bit helps.

[TxDoc]

And just so I don't come off as being whiny...I personally race bikes for fun. Heck, I pay to do it, and I don't get a lot in return. I'm grateful for every little bit I get. But, when I see my neighbor getting more...not because he's stronger or faster, riding for a bigger team or bringing more fans to the race (I drag my kid AND bf to the office park all the time)...but because he has an appendage I don't? It burns me a little.

It's ok, I do not think you are whining at all - if I were in your shoes with the team just dropped, I would probably see red as well!

The issue is that there is very little that we can do quickly, really. There is something we can do - but the results will not show up widely very quickly. What we are trying to do here - and what women racing all over the world have been trying to do for decades - is changing a culture. It takes decades and more.
Ask Jeannie Longo, she was winning championship when I was a little girl on the junior 40cm bike, and she still wins today at over 50 years old. She has seen how this world of cycle racing works.

Changing culture and habits is hard. Here's an example. Think about it - many decades ago it was impossible for a woman to enter medical school. And now I look around in my hospital and there's more women physicians... but still some sides of the culture are hard to move. Most women in teaching hospitals are paid less than their male counterparts, and many are lower in rank despite similar accomplishments. Fewer are Division chiefs or Department Chairs. It is changing, but it is changing very slowly.

Same thing in bicycle races. We can make changes in our 'small world', and publicize them in a way that would drive others to do the same. But it will take time.
So, suggestions for the team, and suggestion for the cultural changes? Very few.

Let's start with the team, which I see as the more 'emergent' issue. Here's a few things that used to work when my sister and myself and our friends were around racing teams:
-Use competition between commercial entities. That used to work a lot in Europe. For example, the local restaurant sponsors another team? Well, find one of the competitor restaurants and go talk to them explaining how much sponsoring your team will benefit them and their competition with the other businesses. My sister used to do this with local private hospitals and clinics - they were jumping on each other to contribute and be the first to place their business logo on a team jersey. Competition is always a driving force, even (especially?) in a tough economy. So if your team has been dropped by a big sponsor, find the main competitor and see if you can strike a deal.
-Use personal interest. This is a tough one but may be a help when there's not much funding for the team. Find someone interested in cycle racing (even better if he/she is a racer on your team) who also owns a business and could use some publicity for his/her business. This is likely to give a limited amount of funds, but everything counts.
-Use the sport to raise awareness for a cause. For example partner with some organization, so that they can receive publicity at the races, and then raise funds. Some of the funds can cover team activities and expenses and the rest go to the charity organization.
-Have team members/club members do some 'legwork' and look for sponsors. Everyone knows some business owners - so if every club members talks about the team and potential business exposure to two or three local businesses, then the whole team is probably contacting over 100 potential sponsors. Even if 98 say 'no', there's a good possibility that some will decide to contribute and take the opportunity for some advertisement.

As per cultural changes - I have no suggestions to offer other than: keep going.
-Keep riding, so that many more women cyclists are seen on the road.
-Keep racing, so that more races for women are happening.
-Advertise local racing teams and support them as much as you can - so that more women decide to participate and more often women races are organized.
-Contribute to the community, which also shows your team as a supporter of the community - for example volunteer sometimes to teach a bicycle safety class at the Y, or at a local school, or at a park. This helps the community learn about the existence of your team, and shows the team as member of the local community, which may in turn stimulate the community to support the team.
-Help grassroot sport organizations - this is one big deal! For example support high school cycling teams, maybe help start a women high school team or college team - and establish a connection so that talented athletes may move from high school league into your team. It is a long a cumbersome process but it does pay off.

I think I'm exhausting all the suggestions I could think of... if something else comes to mind I'll post again
Good luck!