THIS sponsor paid her to LOSE?! || She was NEVER supposed to win Olympic Gold?!

[@HEAVYCHEVY409]

*Massi has been saying she was going to win since the beginning of the year. She literally said she dont cares, who doesn't believe in her, she knows what she can accomplish! She went out their and did exactly what she said she would do, and thats win!*

[@jdjzr9343]

@@HEAVYCHEVY409 Masai brethren

[@HEAVYCHEVY409]

@jdjzr9343 autocorrect, but you get the poiny

[@heffa3821]

@@HEAVYCHEVY409 yasssssss autocorrect on phone is just awful xD

[@robertclayborn9495]

So proud of Masai. She let nothing stop her from getting that Gold medal!🏅 ❤

[@divadoll606]

I heard her say, at the Olympics, that she had only been running for 4 years. There was a lot of heavyweights in that race, but, she ran and leaped and got that Gold Medal. This is one of the things I love about the Olympics, extraordinary and special things happen there.

[@THE_HMRC]

Masai is the definition of PERSEVERANCE.

[@calc1657]

She is very beautiful. It's not a surprise that she had that pre-gold medal social media following.

[@felixlingelbach2758]

She is. I am not much interested in short distance running but here I missed something. She is like our Alicia Schmidt who has also a lot of followers (but is not as successful at running).

[@Menstral]

Very pleasant, not very beautiful

[@anthonyanderson9303]

​@@Menstralhuh? You're joking right? She fine AF

[@davidforbes5237]

​@Menstral I disagree she very beautiful

[@CraigMinnie]

​@davidforbes5237 what has beauty got to do with athletics .

[@marknelson6497]

The WWE still wins, and even bigger now that she is an Olympic Champion. Even if they have to wait another 10-12 years to wait for her to finish running as a pro, they will then have an athlete who is recognized world wide and will by then have an even bigger following. I think both Masai and WWE win!

[@royalusala8527]

Her face card beats any Gold she won, breathtaking indeed!

[@enzomolinari9141]

Great analysis coach. There's something eerily sinister about an organization hedging a bet on an athlete's lack of success but as a result of your analysis, that is exactly how it appears.

[@victorhopper6774]

wwe is looking for women that can look beautiful and mean as h at the same time

[@hoos3014]

Hey, as long as the check cashes, I'm good with it. Sponsor me! 🤣

[@couldbeanyone8174]

What's crazy is Masai said she would win the gold medal 🏅 in Paris at the world championship

[@Potato_Quality7]

At this stage, if you don't believe, you're definitely not winning.

[@mariokyscott6288]

I’ve been waiting on this one here. she’s something special. Can’t wait to see more.

[@jdjzr9343]

Her journey just goes to show that no matter how small a sponsorship you got,you still have a chance for global victory as an underdog...The world is full of hype and talents,then you have the unknowns who rip them to shreds like myself too😂

[@marcuslittle4428]

I always root for the humble underdogs over the arrogant self entitled expectants.

[@jdjzr9343]

@@marcuslittle4428 Right way there brethren,you just earned yourself a subscribe

[@karenmartin2457]

@@marcuslittle4428me too

[@TAM.w39]

I noticed Masai's over enthuisiasm for the sports since early 2020 I used watch some of her vids, Masai you lost the battles to my country woman( Ackera) but you won the 'war'. until both you meet in another monumental championship.Congrats.

[@Prodigalzson]

Im not mad at WWE either. They threw a bit of cash at a young athlete who needed it at the time. Turns out... girl pretty damn good. Ok. maybe you didn't think she'd win the WAY she won, but it seems to me they kinda saw a star in the making an put some money down.

[@eddiel7635]

I’m totally confused what his point is

[@iFanchi]

She still can become a wrestler in the future.

[@claytonjohnson6945]

Masai started blogging in or around the 8th grade; I think on My Space so by the time that NIL thing kicked in she already over 200K followers which led to her being one of the first to get a 6 figure NIL deal. Masai, Leah Phillips (LSU: eliminated in the 100h semi) and Ryan Willie (eliminated in the 400m prelims) were all teammates at Bullis High School which is where Quincy Wilson goes.

[@danielle102-h6l]

Thanks for this breakdown. I find her journey so interesting. I also think it’s very fitting that she went against Nugent in the Olympic final and this time it finally went in Russell’s favor! A full circle moment for her, I’m sure.

[@nicholasworsley4246]

She’s young, good looking, and athletic. She’s got like 15 years to transition into wwe if she wants

[@blackdonte24]

Good looking where? She's a dime a dozen

[@jimwesteven2023]

Yeah, WWE lately has been looking for photogenic athletes with an adept social media presence, because in theory all three of those aspects (photogenic, athlete, social) help with pro wrestling. Most of their NIL athletes don't take the plunge and become wrestlers, but a few do. At this moment they've got a few more ex-track and field athletes in their performance center, learning to be wrestlers. Example: a former triple jumper out of Fresno State named Bre Covington. Again, most of these athletes will probably not pan out, but a few might. But I agree: the college athletics world has definitely gotten strange, now that there's a basically unregulated sponsorship environment.

[@AllInTheGame01]

WWE clearly hoping to turn Masai into another Bianca Belair aka former Tennessee Hurdler Bianca Blair :) We basically have the OLY FINAL rematch in the next 2 DLs in Lausanne (Thurs) & Silesia (Sun), love that the W100m Hurdlers don't dodge each other! Already have a record 11 women run sub 12.4s this yr & could get to 15 by the end of the season!

[@jadeshand2990]

Another gorgeous American track and field athlete. Goodness, it’s just amazing how many beautiful women were in the Olympics this year.

[@noweaponsformedagainstme]

Another amazing coverage of track & field🏃🏾‍♀🏃🏾🏃🏾‍♂

[@StewCrew66]

So happy Masai won 🥇definitely deserves it!

[@T.Y.J.30]

This was a good inspiring story,that shows hard work,determination and patience she kept her head up focusing on the goal to win the gold🎉❤💯👍🏾✊🏽💪🏽🙏🏽

[@jdeljones]

I wouldn't say the WWE was hoping she'd switch right away to go be a pro wrestler and were hoping she would fail in track. Mark Henry was a WWE wrestler and won the World's Strongest Man competition in the 90s. He tells a story about how he asked Vince McMahon for time off to do the competition, and Vince said sure, but he needed to win. Because there wasn't a spot in the WWE/F for the World's 2nd Strongest Man. She could still switch to pro wrestling if she wants, and they'd be happy to have her. The only Olympic gold medalist that's ever made it out of their development projects is Kurt Angle. They'd probably love the marketability of having another. And she's an attractive woman. They'd really sell that.

[@Yourstruly4.0]

Congratulations Massi🎉 see you in LA 2028 girl 🙌🏾 she looked so cute when she won 🥇

[@samsignorelli]

Sometimes everything just comes together at the right time....awesome for her!

[@clarkbryant8222]

As a long time WWE Fan I know the NIL deals are given to the athletes for a developmental deal with NXT to wrestle. WWE doesn’t typically sponsor athletes for outside ventures. Also, WWE who is now owned by TKO is all about promoting,entertaining and riding waves. Her winning a gold medal works in WWE favor because now they can promote her as the 3rd gold medalist signed to the brand. When they signed Gable Stevenson, he was showcased heavy. But he was recently released.

[@LadyWisdom2U]

Thanks for giving us the backstory on masai. I was so happy that she won! Never underestimate the underdog!

[@TahtahmesDiary]

Believe in yourselves fam, never give up ❤

[@tak0331]

Great reporting Coach

[@kimaotung]

First video of yours I've seen and you're so dope! So well researched and presented, really enjoyed this,. Congrats Masai!

[@JudahDaShootah]

WE LOVE YOU RUSSELL....HOPE YOU SEE THIS VIDEO AND THIS COMMENT!!!

[@DammSkippy]

I watched her season and it was rough to watch. I’m glad she turned it around at the moment it counted.

[@miltonwelch8619]

That's quite a story on Ms. Russell's sponsorship and recent history. Keep doing this Rob!

[@johnnymiller9458]

Thank you brother for this story ❤

[@MrTracknut]

She just proves that you don't need an ncaa title to get the big title

[@greymatters7039]

YESSS! I remember Masai saying, “If I go (to the Olympics), I’m there to win.” 🥇 I hope she reports her “sponsors” who were clearly trying to to fix the outcome. END SPORTS BETTING. It’s always been a scourge on honest sport and undermines athletic ability.

[@Tadaia]

I agree in general but I doubt that race would be on their radar. I can think of a couple of other odd situations where a ton of money was made off the races however.

[@marcuslittle4428]

Stay on point as always, Coach😅

[@CherylHendersonPuntaCana]

love it. I love your research. So insightful.

[@s-gstephens6049]

This year Masai was on fire....so in many quarters in track and field, she was right there in the contention for Gold...so to say she wasn't expected to win is.....

[@marfu1119]

So happy for her. Glad she won. She came in the Olympics with fastest time in the year.

[@blainecole5452]

I can only assume she will have a better time in the Diamond League rather than hurdling the top rope in the WWE. An impressive win for Ms Russell.

[@dajay2k]

She'd earn more in wwe

[@blainecole5452]

@@dajay2k Could be. I have no idea what kind of compensation people receive in either endeavor.

[@anthonyanderson9303]

​@@blainecole5452wrestlers definitely get paid more, at least the top ones do.

[@blainecole5452]

@@anthonyanderson9303 It may not be a true sport, but the blood is real.

[@anthonyanderson9303]

@@blainecole5452 i didn't say anything about it being real or not

[@oshinofalakoju5749]

Okay Coach Rob with the analysis and break down!!!

[@Bones94]

They turned Bianca Bel air, another SEC track athlete alumni into a superstar & thought they found their next one again with Masai

[@cosmicwisdom999]

As I said before that she ran 12:25 at trials, so she had a chance of winning

[@renee6511]

Thank you for great content ❤

[@clarkbryant8222]

This is why she will succeed. Talented and she promotes herself. Track and Field finally has multi personalities not just a few,plus social media (using it properly) to help bring new eyes. But just like Noah said the sport lack the infrastructure for all the new fans coming in. Not to mention new fans have to deal with OG fans and that eagerly is similar to the CC fans and the WNBA fans lol. Elitism

[@CraigMinnie]

@@clarkbryant8222 Please Noah lyles got his ass kicked in the 200m .Concentrate on the sport and the records and the rest will fall into place

[@clarkbryant8222]

@@CraigMinnie and also Lyles won the Gold for the 100m race, so what’s your point?

[@CraigMinnie]

@clarkbryant8222 He lost the 200 the race he was talking about breaking the world record .My point is he is focused to much on sponsorship and money. That will come as a by product if he concentrates on performing on the track .

[@clarkbryant8222]

@@CraigMinnie and he won the 100m TWICE and has the title of fastest man in the world. Tebogo came in 6th in the Olympics.

[@CraigMinnie]

@clarkbryant8222 lyles will not beat tebogo in the 200m again . Just like sha carri Richardson thought she would win the 100m her and Noah who both have massive egos got showed up on the track .Win the race then shout your mouth off

[@dennisrobinson8008]

Focus made it happen, she put everything behind her.

[@danburby7936]

No ncaa division 1 coach wanted step curry out of hs

[@m.ltucker4314]

Well you did some deep diving to come up with an interesting topic. I wonder will the WWE still want her after track and field is over. I haven't followed wrestling since Junkyard Dog was the next big thing,so I don't know if any Olympians ever took part in WWE.Maybe she can make a cameo appearance in the WWE. I mean, hype is hype. Maybe the PR guys can put a spin on it without tarnishing her image. Anyway,good storyline Coach. Newsworthy.

[@DevLife717]

Junkyard Dog 😂😂😂 you old as me

[@m.ltucker4314]

@DevLife717 Pushin' 70 fast and furious,but I do my workout regimen like I'm 35. When I ran track in 1971,my event was called the 440yd dash,so you know I'm old. Edwin Moses was my hero

[@Fm4lg]

I expected her to win

[@supertoyota5]

And I was saying "I wonder is she's just a pretty face" I was wrong. Congratulations Ms Russell

[@cordelearts]

I think everyone has it wrong: In Marketing it’s not about the player but the product. Kentucky is WWE’s home base for fans. They throw enough money at enough potential athletes to get enough eyes on the WWE to get new fans. KYU is WWE Fans prime feeding ground. It’s about eyes on the game, not about asking her to lose. They aren’t recruiting her they are recruiting SEC fans.

[@valentinzo6]

With all due respect she would be making a hell of a lot more money in the wwe but that doesn’t compare to winning a mfing GOLD MEDAL🔥

[@John-lv6uj]

You work four years to participate in the Olympics. You win the Olympic Gold which is only worth maybe $38,000. They paid her over half $1 million, who do you think won?

[@michaelhall9363]

she from the home of some off the best in any sport.....DMV all day!

[@tomrobbins5242]

WWE was smart. It's a win/win for both parties..

[@marklayne1781]

So basically, it backfired on them.

[@omarjamal161]

she can be even bigger star

[@TetragrammatonPriest]

Masai If you see this, can you talk about what your journey was like in track before going to Bullis? You are supposed to be where you are because of the path you took, Bullis, Kentucky, Pro. But most kids wont make it to Bullis; what would you say to those kids who want to run at a high level?

[@macmen007]

On paper everyone makes picks; This is why they run the race! On any given day... a miracle can occur.

[@natalierthelwell2737]

Congratulations on her medal but if Nuggent does what shes suppose to do and stays healthy it will be her last.

[@kerryabruzzo5297]

WWE hit the jackpot with Masai! Now they can use her Name, Image, and Likeness as an Olympic champion.

[@deucedaprodeuca]

If Sydney McGlaughlin-Levrone were competing in that event, this wouldn't happen.

[@baeshin]

You are probably wrong about WWE. They most definitely would want her to win. Her Winning a gold medal would only help her in a WWE career. Being famous for something or very accomplished in something outside of WWE usually helps that person get fast tracked in the WWE. Kurt Angle was an Olympic Gold medalist, Ronda Rousey was UFC champ, etc...

[@c.l.harris8561]

Nah this was obviously to help her out. Little woman wasnt gone be a wrestler, be for real. They could gave that to a discus or shot put athlete, women with some beef.

[@DaydreamingTrack]

You said speak up if we dont agree USA doesnt dominante 100MH count titles won since 2016. From my count its 2 USA 5 rest of the world thats not domination and everyboy is running fast times in Jamaica alone we have had Danielle 12.32 then 12.30 for Britany and now 12.28 for Nugent and thats just Jamaica so that bot domination

[@istherenooneleft]

I think you’re wrong. WWE loves getting athletes at the top their sport and bringing them and there fans to the wwe. Kurt Angle won a gold medal. Mark Henry won World strongest man competition. The fact that she won and the WWE has an early investment with her will pay dividends. They didn’t want her simply because they think she’s a good athlete and can do the WWE, they want her for her skills in track that could potentially bring eyes to the WWE. Granted she wasn’t decorated when they hit her up, but that’s how you get in early before the piece goes up. It’s an investment risk that in this case panned out.

[@SauleWright]

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS. PERFECTLY STATED.

[@mervcharles8365]

Not only could you be wrong about WWE you ARE wrong. They have signed very successful college athletes in the past like Brock Lesner, Goldberg, Steve Austin and many others. It only makes sense they would get ahead of the trend and sign promising prospects before they take off. They literally have a NIL program dedicated to signing incoming college freshmen and promising athletes. It's a new stream of income for them and they get to lock in promising athletes who could further the brand

[@wristcandy5451]

She has it all

[@gordonwaldner9792]

What was the point of this?

[@KJOURNEY]

She was always supposed to be here

[@anubis520]

First of all, I don't follow any track and field, I just like the olympics so I wander around learning bits here and there about different sports. Good video so I hit the like button. It does seem to me that WWE was just trying to see who they could get that has a decent following for the lowest amount of money. I don't actually know much about her results but from what was said, it didn't appear that she had a real shot at winning any of the really big meets on paper. As stated she is clearly a talented athlete but just fell just short of winning for a while but stayed the course. This doesn't seem to different from like the music industry trying to get smaller groups/bands into a garbage contract and then blow them up.

[@SCATrackandField]

Thanks for watching and sharing your perspective, I really appreciate it!

[@Covers-and-Commentary]

No one goes there to lose!

[@danwalker673]

Stay healthy for 2028,you need a better start.😊

[@TheSuburbiaJonesEffect-wn4so]

OK Ricky, Bobby, If you’re not first you can be second or third.

[@iFanchi]

Wouldn't be the first time an ex Olympian became a wrestler.

[@LeeHarris]

jesus this was a waste of time

[@SnoopCatts]

What's that song in the hackle l background

[@gdwright3092]

Good on HER!.

[@beejj6190]

Lovely stuff but music a bit too loud, coach! I want to listen to the narration not music : )

[@Oh_Zell]

What the instrumental at 6:16

[@mxRian4]

I had Masai for 🥇should have put some 💴 on it!

[@c.l.harris8561]

You got this all wrong, its almost like you criticizing WWE for giving her money. 🤔. Maybe they believed in her before anyone else did. 🤷🏽‍♂️WTF? Nike came along AFTER she started winning. So Kudos to WWE for spotting the diamond in the rough, and recognizing the future champ

[@rafaelreyes-quiroz4304]

Nah. WWE does this a lot. They're trying to recruit future wrestlers for tv, not give money out of the goodness of their hearts.

[@c.l.harris8561]

@@rafaelreyes-quiroz4304 WWE is a billion dollar beloved Wrestling organization. They dont need her or any of those athletes they giving these deals to. You talk like this some little struggling mini wrestling promotion or some. She wasnt even winning at the time, so she likely got the deal because somebody knows somebody who helped her get a sponsorship. You better believe “ITS FROM THE GOODNESS OF THEIR HEARTS!” You don’t criticize people who helped you when you were down, you thank them. Nike hopped on board once she started winning. So its WWE you should thank, not Nike. We can be so ass backwards at times. This video is ridiculous

[@Tadaia]

@@c.l.harris8561 When was she down? I'm guessing that girl is not going to be a wrestler. lol From what I understand her father is an oral surgeon, her mother runs their oral surgery group practice and Masai now has a degree in health sciences. After her track career she's more likely to join the family business/practice than take abuse in ring.

[@bertc2314]

The content is excellent, but too much drama.

[@wadesmart6708]

Facts!

[@tooshay7396]

I've been wondering about this in swimming too. . being paid to loose the gold, barely so another supersatar can get multiple golds, all on the downlow

[@radasez]

I wonder what they see in her to become a wrestler or part of that business

[@SauleWright]

Athleticism, looks, and charisma. You can teach wrestling and even if you're not great at it, you can be a draw. Natural charisma and athletic ability in one package is an amazing start.

[@ShamelSeldon]

Can you do vid on Alaysha Johnson

[@Johnrap]

Great story.

[@OneGina83]

Yeah wwe does this for college athletes to be wrestlers on nxt. I watched her and didn’t know this. But they are shady company.

[@newmanblessingdube8680]

Bro, I don't agree with you. I would love to think that the WWE saw her potential and chose to support her. All these companies see potential and choose to sponsor because they can bet whether or not they will benefit from it. WWE will benefit from her, sooner or later, they did not bet her to lose but to win!

[@tutotutot5193]

i only thought african athletes were the ones that got paid not to win because they are from a poor continent...i remember when we sent a delegation to youth championships and a young man broke the african youth records before letsile tebogo but same country. delegation celebrated of a new found gem but when they woke up the athlete informed them he had signed a deal with nike at 12am without delegation consent or advice

[@Peezy71421]

Track and Field as a career makes no sense in many ways. If you have a child that athletic it’s better to have them in revenue sports like hoops, football, or even tennis (for a woman).

[@brucecunningham4311]

Some athletes run for the love of sport. It's not always about the money. But there is light at the end of the tunnel.

[@Peezy71421]

@@brucecunningham4311 It’s actually a lot about the money. It’s a considerable time and money investment for track athletes even at the youth level. Even the pros, they are performing at a high level for basically scraps. Appearance fees and winning purses are minimal in comparison to the revenue sports. And let’s be honest even a mid level T&F athlete would pretty much be a top tier athlete in a stick and ball sport. Some of the fastest NFL guys run an equivalent of about a 10.5 100M. That time isn’t worth much as a pro in T&F. Definitely to each their own though.

[@Potato_Quality7]

@@Peezy71421 I agree with you, but the conversion is not that simple. Being fast won't mean you can be in the NFL. Speed definitely helps, but there's more to the game than just that. Do you think Bolt would be a top tier NFL player? I don't think so. His height and frame would make it really difficult for him to make sharp turns. Would constantly have ankle problems, and would also get pushed around a lot. He's a slim guy. He then bulks up to match the others, and now he loses that speed.

[@jadeshand2990]

I think I read that Tara Davis Woodhall has made $3 million since she won her gold medal. If you are successful, you can cash in. Probably the biggest beneficiaries are Sydney and Gabby.

[@Peezy71421]

@@jadeshand2990 Tara is the absolute pinnacle of long jump right now. She’s going to get her coin. That’s the only way if you’re the 1% of the 1% of the professional track athletes. In stick and ball sports the guys who are on the bench that will never see the court/field are pretty much guaranteed $1mil as the league minimum. A halfway decent contributor but non-starter will see $5Mil or more.

[@ZeeLedge777]

The same competors

[@charleschambers1253]

She would be great in wwe

[@c.l.harris8561]

Im a fan but you wrong on this one. Screw the details because no one really pays attention to those company guidelines concerning why they giving the athlete money. NIL is just a collective..period. So they sponsored her when no one else would. WWE should be applauded not criticized. Everyone comes when they see the potential, but WWE supported her when she was struggling. This video should be applauding them not criticizing them

[@hoos3014]

He's not criticizing WWE, just making a note because its weird to sponsor someone who doesn't even play the sport your business is engaged in.

[@SauleWright]

@@hoos3014 They've been doing this for YEARS. It's helped them grow the brand and find some young talent. Track athletes, football players, basketball players, gymnasts, etc. They are literally investing in the growth and future of the company and the fans that watch it. WWE is an ENTERTAINMENT brand.

[@1ma4ighter]

the hell? like the Masai tribe??? Are her parents from East Africa? Prolly not, judging by the surname, or do they know that that tribe is from Central to East Africa these days, which means black Americans more likely have no relation to any of the masai...

[@Stewy-xw9fz]

So it’s quite possible Shelly and sherika sponsors paid them to sit it out. Just saying.

[@annmariebusu9924]

Word is they were injured but wanted the money from the sponsor so came to the games. If they didn't come they wouldn't get their appearance fee.

[@psyphi407]

Surprise surprise. Another bullsh1t clickbait title.

[@terrencegrant3344]

Gambling is the biggest thing in sports

[@Mrwakandaforever]

✊🏿😍👸🏿