Kelso
04-17-2008, 01:42 PM
I expected that someone would have posted this by now ... and apologies for the repeat if I've missed such ... but I think recent efforts by NTRA's CEO Alex Waldrop are noteworthy and encouraging. (Last month, I learned of the article in an email from NTRA that included the link.)
NTRA link to March '08 HorseRacing Magazine article: Waldrop: A new way forward - NTRA (http://www.ntra.com/content.aspx?type=news&id=31231)
From the article
"... I, like so many others, have heard plenty of reasons why Thoroughbred racing lags behind other major sports in terms of popularity. There is a lack of structure. Too much product. Not enough good product. No national scheduling. No commissioner with overriding power and authority like in other major sports. No revenue sharing like professional football and not billion- or even million- dollar television rights deals beyond the Triple Crown races. No easy-to-follow playoff leading to a championship. Our stars are lightly raced and retire too early. The list goes on and on
"Ultimately, almost all of racing’s competitive challenges can be traced to one indisputable fact: The fundamental economic engine driving virtually all sectors of the horse racing industry – racino subsidies aside – is pari-mutuel wagering. So, to accomplish positive change within the horse racing industry, it stands to reason that we must engage and connect with those who wager – namely, horseplayers.
"... The ultimate power within this game lies with those whose wagering dollars fuel the pari-mutuel engine. Because these people are largely nameless and faceless, their potential too often goes untapped. This is a mistake that the industry can no longer afford to make. In the coming months, you can expect to hear the NTRA speaking up on a number of key issues. To our horseplayers, we at the NTRA give our word that you will be an important part of that process. We've always appreciated your business. We will now do a better job of appreciating your ideas."
Not sure how long Waldrop has been CEO of NTRA (I think he's fairly new) but I'm impressed by the attitude he displayed in his article. Don't know how hard he'll try to effectuate what he knows/learns, but at the very least he has demonstrated that he "gets it" from the players' perspective.
This month, Waldrop started a blog at the NTRA website (another email notification) which he says he intends to update on roughly a weekly schedule. I encourage everyone here at PA to avail themselves of a new and very direct opportunity to be heard.
Blog link: Straight Up on NTRA.com (http://news.ntra.com/t?r=2&ctl=11DE4:C6275)
NTRA link to March '08 HorseRacing Magazine article: Waldrop: A new way forward - NTRA (http://www.ntra.com/content.aspx?type=news&id=31231)
From the article
"... I, like so many others, have heard plenty of reasons why Thoroughbred racing lags behind other major sports in terms of popularity. There is a lack of structure. Too much product. Not enough good product. No national scheduling. No commissioner with overriding power and authority like in other major sports. No revenue sharing like professional football and not billion- or even million- dollar television rights deals beyond the Triple Crown races. No easy-to-follow playoff leading to a championship. Our stars are lightly raced and retire too early. The list goes on and on
"Ultimately, almost all of racing’s competitive challenges can be traced to one indisputable fact: The fundamental economic engine driving virtually all sectors of the horse racing industry – racino subsidies aside – is pari-mutuel wagering. So, to accomplish positive change within the horse racing industry, it stands to reason that we must engage and connect with those who wager – namely, horseplayers.
"... The ultimate power within this game lies with those whose wagering dollars fuel the pari-mutuel engine. Because these people are largely nameless and faceless, their potential too often goes untapped. This is a mistake that the industry can no longer afford to make. In the coming months, you can expect to hear the NTRA speaking up on a number of key issues. To our horseplayers, we at the NTRA give our word that you will be an important part of that process. We've always appreciated your business. We will now do a better job of appreciating your ideas."
Not sure how long Waldrop has been CEO of NTRA (I think he's fairly new) but I'm impressed by the attitude he displayed in his article. Don't know how hard he'll try to effectuate what he knows/learns, but at the very least he has demonstrated that he "gets it" from the players' perspective.
This month, Waldrop started a blog at the NTRA website (another email notification) which he says he intends to update on roughly a weekly schedule. I encourage everyone here at PA to avail themselves of a new and very direct opportunity to be heard.
Blog link: Straight Up on NTRA.com (http://news.ntra.com/t?r=2&ctl=11DE4:C6275)