Misty May-Treanor had to take out loans. Casey Patterson put 10 grand on the credit card and simply hoped to make it back. Phil Dalhausser had to win tournaments to pay rent. Kent Steffes once stole sandwiches from the players tent.
There are two commonalities shared by that group of individuals: They are all Olympians. And they all took massive financial risks to be so.
Chasing Gold admires that risk. We admire the guts it takes to pursue dreams. It takes no small deal of courage, to lay everything — finances, time, security — on the line, with a small odds of return.
It’s why we established this company. We want more athletes to take these chances, only without the often-unbearable financial burden that comes with it. We want the best athletes in the United States to be able to pursue their Olympic dreams, only without the stress of managing multiple side jobs to make it work. We want our athletes to have the backing and support they need to reach their full potential.
We want our best to continue their pursuit Chasing Gold.
The monthly expenses incurred in order to pursue beach volleyball full-time are higher than it would initially appear. Rent in the Los Angeles area, the mecca for the sport and where most must live if they are to pursue an Olympic future, averages $2,545. Coaching runs up to $100 per hour. Proper nutrition adds another $800 per month. Add on training and gym memberships, not to mention health insurance, and it can be a $50,000 per year commitment.
The highest paid beach volleyball players do not eclipse $50,000 per year. They do not even get close. And those are the big fish. As for the up-and-comers? The precocious talents who need a few years of seasoning before they’re winning the big ones? They’ll be lucky to hit four figures in prize money.
The numbers don’t add up.
Our mission is to bridge the gap, to provide an avenue for sponsors to align with American players, pursuing the sport at the highest level. Our mission is to fund both the established talents and the ones rising through the pipeline. Our goal is to ease the financial burden of these players, so they can Chase Gold without working multiple side jobs, without that tight feeling in their chest, wondering how they’re going to pay rent, if they can afford the travel to their next tournament.
Our aspiration is to allow the athletes to compete at their fullest potential, to Chase — and win — gold medals, and to bring those medals back where they belong: The United States of America.
