Industry Seating Podcast Summary
Episode: Ep. 193: Feld Media Days
Host: Jason Thomas
Release Date: December 8, 2024
Introduction to Feld Media Days
In Episode 193 of Industry Seating, host Jason Thomas delves into the intricacies of Feld Media Days, an event where key figures in professional supercross and motocross converge at Angel Stadium in Anaheim. This week-long event brings together riders, team personnel, broadcast teams, and production staff, providing an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the sport.
Jason Thomas (00:00):
"Industry Seating is an inside look behind the scenes of professional supercross and motocross racing."
Jason highlights his extensive time at Feld Media Days, emphasizing his commitment and the exhaustive schedule from Monday through Friday. He reflects on his personal work ethic, mentioning, "I always feel like I'm the one with the least to offer, so got to be there earlier, stay later and work harder than everybody else." This dedication underscores his passion for delivering in-depth coverage to his listeners.
Enhancements in Broadcast Accessibility
One of the standout announcements from Feld Media Days is the addition of a French broadcast team for the Supercross (SMX) Video Pass. This expansion aims to cater to French-speaking audiences globally, providing commentary from legends like Marvin Muscan, David Villeman, Sebastian Tortelli, and Maxim Martin.
Jason Thomas (04:30):
"Having French and Spanish editions are really cool. I think that's a huge addition and kudos to Feld for putting that together."
He commends Feld for the substantial effort required to coordinate international broadcast teams, noting the logistical challenges of managing remote commentators from different continents. Jason anticipates further language expansions, which could broaden the sport’s global reach.
Rider Spotlights and Performance Analyses
Jason provides comprehensive analyses of several riders, assessing their current form, mental state, and prospects for the 2025 season.
Jet and Hunter
Jet is under significant scrutiny due to controversies in Australia, facing backlash on social media and YouTube. Jason expresses his support for Jet and Hunter, emphasizing their positive attributes and the undue negativity they face online.
Jason Thomas (15:45):
"I am a fan because he doesn't do all the wrong things. He's not a bad role model for kids."
He discusses how social media toxicity affects Jet's mental health, suggesting strategies to mitigate its impact, such as blocking out negative comments and focusing on supportive relationships.
Jason Thomas (19:10):
"Never place value on someone's opinion that you would not seek out for advice."
Chase Sexton
Chase Sexton demonstrates a more grounded approach compared to his peers. Jason notes Sexton's self-awareness regarding his performance weaknesses, particularly in sprint speed and starts, which are crucial for his championship aspirations.
Jason Thomas (23:30):
"He has a really good diagnosis... He knows where the problems are and that's a step forward."
Jason remains cautiously optimistic about Sexton's potential to improve and compete effectively in the upcoming season.
Cooper Webb and Eli Tomac
Cooper Webb is portrayed as content and motivated, having resolved previous issues with his bike and health. Jason admires Webb's ability to enjoy his success without the pressure of proving himself.
Jason Thomas (34:00):
"He knows he's on a really good bike. He knows financially he's set... He is embracing that."
Eli Tomac, approaching the twilight of his career, maintains a positive outlook despite aging challenges. Jason highlights Tomac's readiness and the critical question of whether he can maintain top performance consistently.
Jason Thomas (37:50):
"If he can stay healthy and maintain this form, he's going to bring it."
Hayden Deegan and Levi Kitchen
Hayden Deegan is celebrated as the premier 250 rider globally, known for his confrontational style and consistent performance. Jason praises Deegan's ability to back up his trash-talk with on-track excellence.
Jason Thomas (45:20):
"If you're going to talk trash, you've got to be able to back up every single ounce of that."
Levi Kitchen emerges as a promising contender, with Jason suggesting that Kitchen needs to bolster his mental resilience and confidence to capitalize on his technical skills.
Jason Thomas (50:15):
"The next step for Kitchen is on the mental side and just confidence that nothing is going to hold you back."
Business Insights: Sponsorships and Financial Sustainability
Jason shifts focus to the business side of motocross, discussing Feld’s sponsorship dynamics and the financial challenges faced by events like World Supercross (WSX).
Sponsor Acknowledgments and Future Plans
The podcast acknowledges current sponsors, including Pirelli Tires, GUTS Racing, Plum Creek Funding, and others. Jason hints at upcoming changes for the 2025 season, promising new graphics and sponsors to keep the content fresh and valuable for listeners.
Jason Thomas (02:30):
"We're gonna have some changes for the 2025 season as far as sponsors go... I like to give people as much value as possible."
WSX Financial Challenges
A significant portion of the discussion is dedicated to the financial instability of WSX. Jason critiques the unsustainable expenses, such as exorbitant payments to riders and high operational costs, which jeopardize the series' longevity.
Jason Thomas (55:40):
"Their expenses for flights are crazy amounts of money. I just look at what WSX is, exposure is or liabilities are to teams and riders and travel."
He expresses skepticism about WSX's ability to remain profitable, questioning the viability of expanding the series without addressing its financial deficits.
Jason Thomas (58:50):
"If you can't get your expenses under control, if the money going out per round is so high, you're only digging a deeper hole."
Mental Health and Social Media Impact
The podcast extensively covers the emotional toll that social media backlash has on riders like Jet. Jason emphasizes the importance of mental resilience and the negative effects of anonymity online, which often leads to harsh and unfounded criticism.
Jason Thomas (16:50):
"Anonymity brings out the worst in people a lot of the time... Instagram comments are probably the worst offenders of that."
He advocates for riders to focus on their personal support systems and professional teams rather than the toxic opinions of strangers.
Jason Thomas (18:15):
"Know who you are and what you're doing and really lean into what matters. That is the people around you."
Conclusion and Outlook for 2025
Jason wraps up the episode by reflecting on the comprehensive insights gained from Feld Media Days. He underscores the importance of tracking riders' progress based on their December evaluations and anticipates discussing these developments in future episodes.
Jason Thomas (60:00):
"We're going to be able to look back on these conversations and be like, hey, he told us in December the things he was facing and the things he was working on."
He remains cautiously optimistic about the upcoming season, highlighting the potential for exciting races and significant personal growth among the riders.
Notable Quotes
-
Jason Thomas on Broadcast Expansion (04:30):
"Having French and Spanish editions are really cool. I think that's a huge addition and kudos to Feld for putting that together." -
On Social Media Negativity (16:50):
"Anonymity brings out the worst in people a lot of the time... Instagram comments are probably the worst offenders of that." -
Advice to Riders (18:15):
"Know who you are and what you're doing and really lean into what matters. That is the people around you." -
On WSX Financial Issues (55:40):
"Their expenses for flights are crazy amounts of money. I just look at what WSX is, exposure is or liabilities are to teams and riders and travel." -
Future Tracking of Riders (60:00):
"We're going to be able to look back on these conversations and be like, hey, he told us in December the things he was facing and the things he was working on."
Sponsors Mentioned
Jason acknowledges various sponsors throughout the episode, promoting their products and services. Notable mentions include:
- Pirelli Tires
- GUTS Racing
- Plum Creek Funding
- Pro Bowl
- Wash Works
- Connection
- Bass Foundry
- TL Speed Shop Concept
- COD Design Company
- Grandstone Boots
- Fly Racing
He also teases upcoming sponsor changes for the 2025 season, ensuring listeners stay tuned for fresh content and partnerships.
Final Thoughts
Episode 193 of Industry Seating offers a deep dive into the current state of supercross and motocross, blending rider performance analysis with critical business insights. Jason Thomas provides a balanced perspective, celebrating rider achievements while candidly addressing the sport's challenges, particularly regarding mental health and financial sustainability.
As the 2025 season approaches, listeners can look forward to continued in-depth coverage, leveraging the groundwork laid during Feld Media Days to deliver insightful and engaging content.
Thank you to all sponsors for making this episode possible. Stay tuned for more exclusive insights into the world of motocross and supercross every Monday morning on Industry Seating.