Thursday December 7, 2023

Hardly a Fitness Center

  • The first discrepancy that emerged was the difference between men’s and women’s bubbles were the gyms.
  • Fitness companies sprung into action to help, but the NCAA didn't exactly jump at the opportunity.
Photo: Oregon Athletics/Design: Alex Brooks
Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

The first discrepancy that emerged between men’s and women’s bubbles were the gyms. On Thursday, athletes posted viral photos and videos comparing the men’s sprawling weight room to the women’s lone pyramid dumbbell rack. 

As a result, fitness companies including Dick’s Sporting Goods and Tonal sprung into action.

But when they offered to send equipment to the bubble, the NCAA didn’t exactly jump at the opportunity, the two companies told FOS.

Attempts to Send Help

On Thursday evening, Dick’s asked strength coaches what kind of equipment they wished they had, a company spokesperson told FOS. The next day, Dick’s reached out to “several different executives” at the NCAA to ask if they needed equipment. By 4 p.m. ET, no one had responded. 

So they posted a tweet with a picture of masked Dick’s employees in front of three large U-Haul vans. The spokesperson said they were not only willing to send fitness equipment to the bubble, but their “trucks were loaded up and ready.” 

The NCAA still did not respond.

On Saturday morning, Dick’s tried one more time, but the NCAA told them “they had addressed the situation.”

Tonal, which sells home gyms, also tweeted that it would send their equipment to the San Antonio bubble. “This is ridiculous. Let’s one-up them,” Tonal tweeted in response to Oregon player Sedona Prince’s viral Tik Tok.

Ten Tonals arrived at the bubble “over the weekend,” a Tonal spokesperson confirmed to FOS, but they haven’t been installed yet. 

Eligibility Concern

It’s unclear whether eligibility rules would even allow athletes or the NCAA to accept help from outside companies. 

Dick’s said they didn’t ask about eligibility. They would have donated the equipment if needed, and were “open” to working with the NCAA.

As of Monday evening, Tonal said they’re currently “working through COVID protocols and association regulations to try and get them installed.”

The NCAA did not respond to a request for comment or clarification on how eligibility rules would apply.

Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Seven State AGs Sue NCAA Over Transfer Eligibility Rule

They say the NCAA’s one-time transfer reform didn’t go far enough.
Two federal lawmakers from Florida have asked the CFP for more transparency in its decision-making process after FSU's omission from the playoff.

Florida's Federal Lawmakers Are Going After the College Football Playoff

Rep. Gus Bilirakis and Sen. Rick Scott have both made statements.
Five professional sports labor unions have endorse college athletes becoming employees.

Five Pro Sports Unions Endorse College Athlete Employment

The MLBPA, NFLPA, NBPA, NHLPA, and MLSPA weighed in.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

Why the NBA May Have Made Billions With Midseason Tournament

0:00
0:00

Featured Today

The College Football Playoff is considering rotating TV networks for the national championship game.

CFP Considers Super Bowl-Like Rotation For National Championship Game

Multiple networks could share rights to the championship game, sources told FOS.
Brett Favre
November 27, 2023

Favre Welfare Case Hold-Up? "AG’s Office Has Not Expressed Interest In Pursuing"

The DOJ interviewed Brett Favre in early 2020.
The future of the Pac-12 rests on a court decision.
November 24, 2023

The Pac-12 Plays Its Final Regular-Season Game. Then A Court Decides Its Fate.

The conference's future rests with a court decision.
Lane Kiffin
November 9, 2023

Ole Miss, Lane Kiffin Lawyers Argue for Dismissal of Player Lawsuit

FOS obtained audio of Lane Kiffin's interaction with the player behind lawsuit.

Careers

Powered By

Careers in Sports

Looking for a new job? Check out these featured listings and search for openings all over the world.
FanDuel
Multiple Locations
Adidas
Multiple Locations
Creative Artists Agency
Multiple Locations
NCAA President Charlie Baker has proposed new rules that would allow athletes to receive more compensation.

New NCAA Proposal Takes Step Toward Compensating Athletes

It does not allow athletes to become employees, however.
December 3, 2023

After Unbeaten FSU’s Snub, Financial and Legal Fallout

FSU, ACC to take sizable revenue hit despite Seminoles' undefeated season.
JMU football has been spending like a Group of 5 team for years. Now it will play its first bowl game.
December 4, 2023

James Madison, the FCS Team That Spent Like an FBS Team To Become One

The Dukes have been spending like a Sun Belt program for years.
Sponsored

NHL’s Chris Foster on Amplifying Content Distribution With Automation

Learn how the NHL is using WSC Sports to increase fan engagement.
Florida lawmakers already have an appetite to propose state legislation to protest Florida State not making the College Football Playoff.
December 3, 2023

Florida Lawmakers Consider Protesting Florida State CFP Omission

It's unclear what form a bill would take.
December 1, 2023

TV Networks Are Programming College Football’s Future: What’s Next

Conference championship weekends will have a different feel in the future.
A lawsuit against the university of Oregon could dictate the future of Title IX and NIL.
December 1, 2023

New Lawsuit Could Decide Whether NIL Is Subject To Title IX

It's one of the biggest unanswered questions of the NIL era.