Apparently the Spira footwear company is using the IAAF and USA Track & Field bans for a little extra publicity...
Athletics: Spira Footwear Launches 'Banned in Boston' Protest Against Governing Bodies of Track and Field
The company is asking people to register for their $1M prize - preferably elite runners, but of course they'll get hobby runners interested too, and sell LOTS of shoes - that's pretty cheap publicity for them...they only have to pay the $1 million IF someone entered in their contest AND wearing their shoes as specified in the rules...if no one wins they are out very little and if one of their contestants DOES win the $1M is paid out over 20 years
oh and the winner risks being banned by US Track & Field and IAAF...not to mention this little bit:
Quote:
License to Spira, Appearances, Property. For no additional consideration, Runner grants to Spira the exclusive right and license to the use of Runner's name (or part thereof or nickname), likeness, voice, whether live or recorded, photograph signature or facsimile thereof, biographical material, statements, and any similar materials or descriptions and activities containing Runner's name or any part or likeness thereof for production, advertisement, manufacture, marketing, promotion, publicity, sale and distribution of any Spira products.
Hopefully the entrants will read the rules very carefully...especially if they're planning on going towards the Olympics as well since I would bet the EOCC wouldn't look TOO kindly on this either...because IMO $1Mill paid out over 20 years is a VERY small price for signing your marketing rights away!
(this isn't a comment on the shoes themselves...I think that what works for one person won't necessarily work for another...which is why I would recommend going to a store which has experienced salespeople who can help you make an informed decision!)