Ironman Access Program....

pcsronbo · Oct 27, 2010

Discuss
 
<a href="http://ironmanaccess.com/" target="_blank">http://ironmanaccess.com/</a>
 
Tried to paste into here but it mangled it up 
 
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<h4>Fees</h4>
Ironman Access Membership $1,000 USD
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<h4>Ironman Access</h4>
Ironman Access is an exclusive membership which allows Ironman athletes to register for popular worldwide events in advance before entries open to the general public. Ironman Access is limited and memberships are on a first-come, first-serve basis. Once membership reaches capacity it will close.

<h4>Ironman Access Membership Program Benefits</h4>
*$1000.00 USD one-year membership 
*Exclusive advance registration to Ironman events 
*Second chance in the Ironman Lottery Program 
*Two VIP passes per registered event 
*Official membership ID card 
*One-year subscription to LAVA Magazine 
*Discounts on Ironman partner products at shopironman.com and at Ironman’s on-site event retail stores 
*2010 Ford Ironman World Championship NBC broadcast DVD

<h4>Refund/Withdraw Policy</h4>
Refunds will NOT be offered. Transfers or deferrals are NOT permitted
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theia · Oct 27, 2010

$1,000 a year for the privilege of spending $600+ more (per race) to sign up early? Really? Am I the only one who thinks this is ridiculous?

mrscoby78 · Oct 27, 2010

No, you are not. 

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by Theia <a href="/forum/thread/70856/ironman-access-program#post_1957644"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-right:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-bottom:0px solid;"></a> $1,000 a year for the privilege of spending $600+ more (per race) to sign up early? Really? Am I the only one who thinks this is ridiculous? 
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LookiLoo · Oct 27, 2010

Nope!! Most people don't do more than one/year, I can't imagine paying $1000 for advanced entry (on top of the entry fee already?) and it seems that the other 'perks' that go along with this are not that impressive. Even if you planned on doing 2/year, it does not seem worth that kind of money. Community fund slot still seems to be the way to go if you're that hell bent on getting in... Bah. 

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by Theia <a href="/forum/thread/70856/ironman-access-program#post_1957644"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-bottom:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-right:0px solid;"></a> $1,000 a year for the privilege of spending $600+ more (per race) to sign up early? Really? Am I the only one who thinks this is ridiculous? 
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mrscoby78 · Oct 27, 2010

Wait!!!! There's an *official* membership card AND a dvd????
 
That's it. I'm in.
 
<img alt="" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/lol.gif" style="width:15px;height:15px;" title="">

Alaska Mike · Oct 27, 2010

Pretty predictable, especially now that WTC is owned by venture-capitalists. It's an extension of the idea they have used for years with the Kona lottery, by paying to join a 'club' you get an improved chance of success in the lottery. You can also see shades of this in their CEO program where they get chief executives to have their companies pay a bunch of money so that the CEO gets to race at Kona or another IM.
 
I don't really care as long as I can continue to get into the races.
 
It's their ball and they can chose to play the game any way they want. They are a company whose primary mission is to make as much money for their owners as possible. The thing they have to be careful about is keeping the balance so that it doesn't become who can simply pay the most money. IM still needs to mean something or the masses who provide the bulk of their revenue will stop caring and they will have killed the golden goose.
 
The other interesting thing that is happening the rate at which IM/WTC is locking up key race sites. There was an interesting editorial on slowtwitch about this ... <a href="http://www.slowtwitch.com/Opinion/Sometimes_you_eat_the_bear_1584.html" target="_blank">http://www.slowtwitch.com/Opinion/Sometimes_you_eat_the_bear_1584.html</a>
 
We live in interesting times, to say the least.
 
Mike

em73 · Oct 27, 2010

ooo! an ID card!!!! that totally makes the $1,000 worth it.

LookiLoo · Oct 27, 2010

That's what I was thinking...kind of like a 'secret decoder ring' <img alt="" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="width:16px;height:16px;" title=""> 

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by em73 <a href="/forum/thread/70856/ironman-access-program#post_1957652"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-bottom:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-right:0px solid;"></a> ooo! an ID card!!!! that totally makes the $1,000 worth it.
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AdCo · Oct 27, 2010

it's kind of like anything else.. if money isn't an object, and to a lot of Triathletes, it's not, then why not? if you want to do a race, but don't want to travel ro take the risk, and want a back stage pass to things, you pay. simple enough.. who "needs" an 90k watch? people buy them. doe 95% of ag'ers really need the 10k bike? I would say no, but they buy them and that's ok if htat's what they want.

mmoonptdeux · Oct 27, 2010

I guess it's like anything - nothing illegal about them going that route and trying to milk the cash cow for all its worth, and its all about a cost/benefit analysis for the consumer. They'll probably get a fair number of people with money to burn and really hardcore about the whole IM thing to jump in
 
Others who want to do the 140.6 might try the traditional ways to get into an IM-branded event and opt for other I imagine just as relevant iron-distance events.if they can't get into those

miles99999 · Oct 27, 2010

I thought that there would be on person that would think this was a good idea before I posted. Well, I'm not going to be the first.....just another way for people with way too much money to get rid of it. Unfortunately, I am not one of them. Completely ridiculous idea, but I am sure there will be a bunch of idiots who sign up for it. Honestly, if you are unable to get into an Ironman event because it sells out in under 30 minutes, isn't there the option of going the Foundation slot example which would still be cheaper than dropping $1,000 plus the entry fee (~$700) via the Ironman Access route? I think their price point is way too high, something under $500 might have sounded a little less ridiculous (not that I would have paid for it).
 
Crazy!!!

cak73 · Oct 27, 2010

An ID card for $1000? Pffft. They should just implant a chip in you. Timing and identification all in one!

pcsronbo · Oct 27, 2010

Just to stir the pot... this is way cheaper than the CEO Challenge program. That was $6000/race I think. So it's a virtual DEAL! Especially for all those "lowly" vice presidents and non CEO's <img alt="" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/rolleyes.gif" style="width:16px;height:16px;" title="">
 
This is for those folks for who money is no object and cannot be bothered with going to the race a year ahead and signing up. Cost benefit... if it costs me $2,000 to fly to a race, stay a minimum 5 day deal, and then sign up... then I will spend $1,000 instead. Especially if I have a variable schedule.
 
I have no issue with it, so long as it doesn't turn into a large number of slots being eaten up pushing others who spend the day before volunteering out of being able to register.
 
Personally, I think it's a good way to raise more cash. Which is exactly what they have to do once they sold their souls to the VC's.
 
No way I'm doing it though.

mmoonptdeux · Oct 27, 2010

In a way, this would be like the equivalent of a PSL for a ticket buyer of an NFL game...though I suppose here it would be a PSLL (Personal Start-Line License)

therambler · Oct 27, 2010

I'd say it's a waste, nothing listed is worth a grand. It kind of frustrates me that WTC(and others) are so intent on turning the entire sport into a cash cow. I'm not sure they actually care that they're a triathlon organizer, or even know the difference between that and say making widgets in china to sell to the masses. Anyway, I guess if you have the money and cannot possibly find something better to do with $1000 than more power to ya, might as well do it, but I certainly would not.

em73 · Oct 27, 2010

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by therambler <a href="/forum/thread/70856/ironman-access-program#post_1957730"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-right:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-bottom:0px solid;"></a> I'd say it's a waste, nothing listed is worth a grand. 
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 why do you hate ID cards?

Alaska Mike · Oct 27, 2010

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by therambler <a href="/forum/thread/70856/ironman-access-program#post_1957730"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a> It kind of frustrates me that WTC(and others) are so intent on turning the entire sport into a cash cow. I'm not sure they actually care that they're a triathlon organizer, or even know the difference between that and say making widgets in china to sell to the masses.
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WTC is now owned by Providence Equity Partners, a private equity investment firm. Providence also has investments in Hulu, Warner Music, MGS, YES network, movie theaters and cable companies. They don't care that WTC is a triathlon organizer other than where they can leverage their synergies with other investments. They are in it to provide the maximum possible return to the investors.
 
The CEO of WTC has done an Ironman, he was actually formerly the guy in charge of the WTC IS department (yeah, they promoted the guy in charge of IM finish line video to CEO). So presumably he has some interest in the sport. But his job performance is probably primarily based on how much money IM makes and how much he can grow the business (future revenue). Where those interests intersect with the greater good of the sport, that's nice, but he ain't getting paid for that.
 
Look at how many popular races Ironman has taken over. Look at the recently launched 5150 series of Olympic races. Wanna bet there will be a 5150 World Championship in a few years, just like the have an IM and IM70.3 championship. Look at some of the efforts that IM/WTC has made to squeeze out competing races and series in the past few years. WTC is a business and they're in it to win.
 
Mike

kcwoodhead · Oct 27, 2010

Well, now, didn't this get us all out of hiding?????????
 
And I'm in the "absolutely ridiculous" boat.
 
Who wants to join me in the "bring REV3 to Texas in a bearable month (i.e. not freakin' end of May)" campaign??

Alaska Mike · Oct 27, 2010

This is actually kind of interesting from a business standpoint. Another direction that WTC could have gone is to raise the already ridiculously high entry fees for everyone. This way is smarter. For those folks with the disposable income, it captures as much of that as possible and gives those folks a slight advantage (they no longer have to wait in line or volunteer for the race). For everyone else, it keeps the rates at the current high levels but doesn't create a backlash. Pretty smart, if you ask me.
 
Mike

therambler · Oct 27, 2010

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by Alaska Mike <a href="/forum/thread/70856/ironman-access-program#post_1957745"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a> 
WTC is now owned by Providence Equity Partners, a private equity investment firm. Providence also has investments in Hulu, Warner Music, MGS, YES network, movie theaters and cable companies. They don't care that WTC is a triathlon organizer other than where they can leverage their synergies with other investments. They are in it to provide the maximum possible return to the investors.
 
The CEO of WTC has done an Ironman, he was actually formerly the guy in charge of the WTC IS department (yeah, they promoted the guy in charge of IM finish line video to CEO). So presumably he has some interest in the sport. But his job performance is probably primarily based on how much money IM makes and how much he can grow the business (future revenue). Where those interests intersect with the greater good of the sport, that's nice, but he ain't getting paid for that.
 
Look at how many popular races Ironman has taken over. Look at the recently launched 5150 series of Olympic races. Wanna bet there will be a 5150 World Championship in a few years, just like the have an IM and IM70.3 championship. Look at some of the efforts that IM/WTC has made to squeeze out competing races and series in the past few years. WTC is a business and they're in it to win.
 
Mike
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 Interesting, I did not know that. The whole reason I'm in this sport is the people and the challenge, but I tell you, at current IM rates I can afford one Ironman or a whole season of racing but not both. The money aspect might just drive me from the sport. I'm definitely to a point now where I don't think it would be wise to keep doing IM brand 140.6's. As great as the legacy is of that series I just can't in good conscience support them anymore. I wonder sometimes if Branded IM is becoming the "Chrysler(remember Cerberus capital??)" of the triathlon world...
 
And it is interesting if the intention was to keep from raising rates that they were required to do by their owners. Then I would see it more as a service(IE tax the rich) so the rest of us could do it, but really, do they have to raise rates?? No...

Ironman Access Program....

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