How to Improve Triathlon Media
What’s Missing from Triathlon Media?
Over the past decade, sports media has undergone a seismic shift. Like many fans, I’ve found myself gravitating toward alternative media rather than traditional outlets.
For this discussion, let’s define "traditional sports media" in triathlon as the major publishers, websites, and legacy shows we’ve grown up with (you can probably guess which ones I mean). While these outlets have been instrumental in growing the sport and keeping us informed, it feels like they’ve hit a plateau.
The world of sports media is evolving—everywhere except in triathlon.
Take other sports, for example:
- College GameDay brought in Pat McAfee to connect with a younger, more dynamic audience.
- Monday Night Football swapped RG3 for Jason Kelce to inject fresh energy.
- Lifetime bike races now feature live podcasting at Athlete Villages, with pre-shows streamed directly on YouTube.
- Independent podcasters are breaking major news stories, becoming trusted voices within their niches.
Sports media is adapting to meet the demands of a new generation. But triathlon? It’s stuck in neutral.
The problem isn’t just a lack of innovation—it’s the constraints of legacy media. Many of these larger outlets are owned by even bigger corporations, which means layers of bureaucracy, rules, and red tape. These limitations make it harder to adapt, experiment, or even deliver unbiased opinions.
Triathlon deserves better. It deserves media that reflects the passion, creativity, and innovation of the athletes and fans who live and breathe the sport. Triathletes are nothing if not opinionated, yet there just aren’t enough platforms to showcase those opinions.
Even within some "non-traditional" media outlets, voices are often held back—whether for personal or professional reasons. This self-censorship, driven by fear of jeopardizing outside business relationships, undermines credibility. The moment a platform starts pulling punches to protect unrelated interests, it ceases to be an unbiased voice. In a niche sport like triathlon, audiences will quickly sniff out inauthenticity.
It’s unfortunate that I even feel the need to voice this, but it’s a topic I’m passionate about and think about often. I hate opening a triathlon website to see gift guides filled with advertisers and fluff pieces rooted in corporate politics. So here I am….
Three Ways to Improve Triathlon Media
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Quad Box Coverage
Triathlon needs better race coverage. Imagine a quad box during live streams: four simultaneous camera angles showing different parts of the action. This approach would add depth and excitement to the viewing experience, giving fans more context and immersion. This way you can constantly run an ad on one of the boxes and never override the race coverage. -
Triathlon Race Day Pre-Show
The Pro Series races deserve a pre-show—something lively, interactive, and informative. Picture a College GameDay-style production, about 60 minutes long, packed with analysis, athlete interviews, and audience engagement. Let’s test this concept in North America at iconic races like Oceanside or St. George. Take it a step further and lean into the product placement. Each personality is dressed head-to-toe in Roka, AG1, VinFast branded merch. PS: IRONMAN, if you’re reading this, hire me as a producer. -
Give the Experts a Platform
Triathletes who are experts in their respective fields need a space to share their knowledge, ideas, and opinions with a broader audience without fear or repercussion (outside of ST). That’s why I’m resurrecting this blog and the journalism wing in of ONYERLEFT Triathlon—to provide that platform. This is content for the uncommon triathlete produced by the uncommon triathlete.