Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone Talks Track vs. Football: A Tale of Two Sports

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, a two-time Olympic gold medalist in the women's 400m hurdles, has a unique perspective on the world of sports. Not only is she a track and field legend, but she's also married to former NFL player Andre Levrone, giving her insights into both track and field and football. In a recent podcast, she shed light on the stark differences between these two sports. Track and field, according to McLaughlin-Levrone, is an "individualized sport. " Unlike football or basketball, where team funding and resources are shared, track athletes often rely heavily on personal sponsorships, like her deal with New Balance, to cover costs for coaching, therapy, and more. While she's lucky to have this support, many track and field athletes don't get the same benefits, driving the sport into a less-than-ideal future. The funding and popularity gap is significant. Football and basketball, with their massive fan bases, have resources to keep going. Track and field, not as popular, struggles with less funding and fewer opportunities. But there's hope on the horizon. McLaughlin-Levrone is advocating for changes that could revive her sport. Contests like Grand Slam Track, offering massive prize pots, and World Athletics Ultimate Championships, with $150, 000 prizes, are new initiatives. She believes these can help track and field regain its footing and grow in popularity. As the first signing for Grand Slam Track, she's playing a key role in driving these changes.