At last year’s annual convention it became apparent that USMS must either reduce the benefits it offers members or find ways to increase revenue. Most members of the House of Delegates would prefer to increase benefits rather than reduce them. I’d like to explore ideas to increase revenue so that we can continue to offer more benefits to our members.
Perhaps it is time to tap what I consider a huge potential market. I have often heard swimmers say that they compete so that they can see their name in print. Certainly with the growth of the internet there are more possibilities for publishing names.
Records are a largely untapped market. Another swimming organization has expanded the number of records available by narrowing age group ranges from 5 years to 1 year. Numerous other possibilities exist. Why stop at one year? Why not establish records based on day of birth instead of year of birth?
In the first half off the 20th century records were kept in what are now considered odd lengths such as 220 yards. We currently avoid odd-length pools. There are numerous 20 meter and 33 and 1/3 yard pools in the U.S. If we kept records for such pools, meets hosted in them would be very attractive as chances of setting records would be great. We could also consider records for shallow and deep pools
Lot’s of other possibilities exist. We could establish records based on occupation, height, or weight. Perhaps I can post the fastest 60 meter butterfly time in a 20 meter pool by an electrical engineer, over 6 feet tall, born in August of 1954.
Fastest times aren’t necessarily the only records that we should keep. How about fewest strokes used while swimming a legal breaststroke? Or lowest score in swimming golf (add the number of strokes to your time to establish a score)?
Once we determine whether we should establish “alternative” records, we will need to agree on an appropriate fee. Probably over 10,000 swimmers compete in at least one Masters meet each year. If we can establish enough records so that everyone can claim at least one, USMS could generate significant revenue.
One option would be to charge a fixed fee for a record application. If we charge $10 per application and have 10,000 records claimed each year, USMS would receive $100,000. I expect that that figure is conservative. We could easily establish 50,000 records each year.
Lot’s of other possibilities exist. Please add your ideas to this thread. What other types of records do you think are practical? How much do you think people would be willing to pay to see their name next to a record?
Swimmers can benefit from this proposal. We can spend a few weeks brainstorming ideas, then draft a proposal to submit to the USMS House of Delegates. In the spirit of brainstorming, don’t hesitate to post any ideas, no matter how outlandish.
As for the parking meter suggestion. The Georgia LMSC will soon be implementing 2 new programs. The first is the addition of a magnetic strip to the back of each registration card, so the swimmers can just swipe their card to enter meets and their checking accounts will be automatically debited for any events. We will also have the swipe machines in each lane so the swimmers can also get credit for warm-ups, there is a slight surcharge for sprint lane access.
The other program is our EZ-Pass program, where each swimmer is provided with a chip that fits easily into their suit. Each time the swimmer passes the flags, in practice or a meet, the lap is automatically counted and the swimmers account is debited. The EZ-Pass program also allows us to monitor who swims where and how often. Once a quarter the swimmers are sent their bill along with a detailed analysis of their swimming, lap by lap for the entire quarter.
My understanding is that all the USMS Coaches of the Year ARE already making six figures. Clearly, we should direct this program toward the newcomers. Maybe as a pump-primer, the six-figure coaches would rebate some of their already high salaries into an escrow account to be parcelled out to promising new coaches.
mel
Actually the parking meter suggestion has some merit. We debated charging more for distance events since they take up time. Instead we could install USMS certified meters and charge people for the amount of time that it takes to complete an event. We combine this idea with the proposal for new events (2,000 yard breastroke for example) and then you can generate significant revenue.
If USMS is so desperate for $ why not just ask all of the members to send in $10. If you tell me what you want to spend the money on I would be glad to contribute. (I know that I get at least that much value from this website)
If you think that recognition would help raise more $ you can have a "Thanks-to-the-Donors" page and put everyone's name there.
I am sure we have some rich members who wouldn't mind throwing in $100 and become "Gold Members".
Hugh,
You raise some great points. However, your focus on the finishing time significantly narrows the potential revenue generation.
For instance, records and awards based on artistic presentation provide a way for us slower swimmers to excel. For many years I have been working to perfect my cork-screw freestyle and my feet first butterfly. This could be my big chance!!! And, in addition to the revenue generated from the records, just think of the money we could get if we added a 15% tax on all bribes to those judging the competitions.
Other possibilities include judging based on swim attire. The rulebook talks about the “swim costume”. However, with the notable exception of Paul Windrath., very few swimmers take advantage of the costume. Maybe we could award/sell best in dress records?
Perhaps we can combine a few of the ideas that have been posted. Swimmers could set goals based on faster times or better conditioning (i.e. longer distance). Coaches would then get paid based on how much their swimmers improved. If a coach has enough swimmers who all show great improvement, salaries could reach Emmett's goal of six figures (at least if the payment is in yen). We could use Rob's EZ-Pass idea for monitoring swimmers progress. USMS could take care of implementing the program and charge a 50 % fee.
Another possibility it to revisit lowering the USMS minimum age to 12. With the additional revenue that beings in, we'll be able to go head to head with USA Swimming, and maybe buy them out in a couple of years.
I've just submitted a proposal to the Executive Committee to add new masters events with the intention of expanding USMS membership into the lucrative triathlon market:
- A special heat of the 500 free that will allow Wetsuits and prohibit flip turns.
- A "Circular" draft-legal 500 in the diving well, with a mass start and buoys at each corner.
Every was quite enthusiastic about it. The full proposal can be reviewed on-line at http://www.MetroTri.com
