Craig Masback was named CEO of USA Track & Field
(USATF) yesterday. He most recently was a Senior Associate
at DC-based Wilmer Cutler & Pickering, where he specialized
in communications and sports law. He has also been a track
and field broadcaster since '82. Masback, chosen after a
six-month search done by KornFerry Int'l, replaces outgoing
CEO Ollan Cassell, whose contract was not renewed at last
December's USATF annual meeting (USATF).
GOOD CONNECTIONS: In N.Y., Jere Longman writes that
Masback, a "former top miler, brings passion and experience
to his job, along with credibility with top athletes and
important connections" with the IOC, U.S. TV networks and
corporate sponsors. In a press conference, Masback spoke of
inviting athletes "to meetings with sponsors, of possibly
giving athletes financial equity in track meets, of more
head-to-head competition and of the apparent willingness of
athletes to compete for prize money instead of appearance
fees." Masback: "As of today, USA Track & Field is open to
ideas, open for business and open for change" (N.Y. TIMES,
7/17). In Chicago, Philip Hersh reports that Masback, with
a contract through 2001, "will get international support
denied Cassell because he was on the outs" with IAAF
President Primo Nebiolo. Masback "has spoken with Nebiolo
about getting track's international sponsors involved in the
U.S." Masback, whose "initial staffing move" will be to
hire a Dir of Marketing, said, "We have to develop a
coherent and consistent presence for the sport in the U.S."
(CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 7/17). Masback intends to create a 10- to
20-member business advisory board for the USATF "comprising
business leaders who are former or current runners or who
have an interest in the sport" (WASHINGTON POST, 7/17).
Masback's annual salary will be $150,000 (Ron Reid,
PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 7/17). In Detroit, Jo-Ann Barnas
reports that Cassell "apparently" will maintain his seat on
the IAAF committee until '99 (DETROIT FREE-PRESS, 7/17).
A DOSE OF SKEPTICISM: ESPN SportsZone columnist Jeff
Hollobaugh, who is former Track and Field News Managing
Editor writes that Masback "carries with him the political
baggage that comes from having been an active combatant in
the machinations that resulted in Cassell's ouster. No
clean slate here. Masback will call for unity, as he
should. The organization, however, is built upon volunteer
support, and many of the volunteers are not in Masback's
camp" (ESPN SportsZone, 7/15).
RUNNING MAN: Officials from "a number of cities" have
contacted Masback about possibly moving the USATF's
headquarters from Indianapolis. Masback "is believed to
have a preference for moving the headquarters to Washington"
(Amy Shipley, WASHINGTON POST, 7/17).
