Shawn Ray Resigns

[youngblood]

Okay, I'm not posting his resignation letter, since that can be found elsewhere at at least 3 different sites.
What's everyones feelings regarding this?
To me this just shows that the IFBB doesn't care for it's athletes or how they are treated at all. Shawn, I'm sure was in the building or within a 5min walk to that same meeting, yet nobody contacted him to let him know the meeting time was rescheduled. He was supposed to recieve an e-mail, but that somehow mysteriously never showed to his inbox. The IFBB could have done more to make sure he was at the meeting, as all the other representitives were there, including 4 guests, including Art Bedway, who I believe has something to do with the athletes arranging travel to and from contests through his travel agency.
Anyhow, I think that the IFBB could care less about anyone and anything, as long as that almighty dollar continues to keep rolling in, and not rolling out!!!

[1705total]

Shawn Ray has good intentions, but an athletes rep is useless without a union. I mean what value does a rep have in an unpaid posistion in which he has no responsabilities or acountabilty in regards to the athletes?
The athletes need to unionize, and then elect a rep who must answer to them (athletes).
Even in the case of organized labor the reps are known for making back door deals, so to unionize may not be the answer either.

Many people say that things like health insurance, and pentions won't go over well in our sport do to the "extremes" the athletes go to. Well I disagree, think about proffessional football, and think about the 300+ line men who ruin their knees and backs and only play for 10 years. There is no reason that Pro bodybuilders couldn't unionize and demand these things from the IFBB.

Did Shawn ever ask for these things???
Did Shawn ever demand that prize money be put in excrow?? (Remember when it took the IFBB like 2-3 years to pay Artwood his $5,000.00 earnings from winning the Toronto show.)
Did Shawn ever ask to have the promoters make public their expenses to ensure that the athletes were recieving their fair share of the profits?

I don't believe he did.
But then again even if he did, what would it do without the power of a union.

Someone needs to go to 60 minutes and do a "no holds barred interview" to shed some light on the subject.

Where's Lee Priest!!!!

[ifearnoman]

Shawn Ray has good intentions, but an athletes rep is useless without a union. I mean what value does a rep have in an unpaid posistion in which he has no responsabilities or acountabilty in regards to the athletes?

Agreed 100000000%

The NFL, NHL, NBA, MLB all have unions...why should IFBB?

[cavemuscle]

Also, A union could provide legal help, money management, post career counseling.

Maybe some of our greats, like the Mentzers and Vince Gironda, would still be with us instead of lost to depression, addiction, and disease.

If Scott Kline had some sort of counseling he'd still be onstage, instead of dead from a drug overdose supplied by one of his "sponsors"

Peace
B

[Milly]

I said it on mayhem and will say it here in summary..

I cannot believe in this day and age that something that is so blatantly abusive and corrupt towards its participants gets away with sh*t without at least one person blowing the lid off the whole thing.

[Milly]

Just to add how baffling this think of how many women in this industry who have been sexually harrased yet you never hear of any legal action.

[Ken B.]

wow, I wasn't aware of this. Has Shawn since made any statements regarding why?

[Tim Wescott]

Ken,if you care to venture over,Shawn Ray posted it on getbig.com

[Ken B.]

Thanks Tim, I'll put on the war paint ;D

[Tim Wescott]

I got it.....it was kinda` buried,form Jan. 3rd.

It's official!

As of today, I have decided to step down as IFBB Athlete Representative. The position needs Legal Representation to be effective, a "Lawyer!" Hopefully, someone or an institution will be willing to step forward and help the Athletes level the playing field economically & physically to save our sport and our Athletes.

------------------------------------------------------------
January 2nd, 2005

Dear IFBB Pro Men,

First I want to say, "Happy New Year" to each and everyone of you and may all your dreams and goals come true in the coming year!

As you all know, I had to get 98 Signatures (Majority Vote) of the Registered Athletes in 2003 to become the Athlete Representative for 2004 to 2006. That being said, there are 3 Official Meetings per/ yr. where the Issues, Concerns, Problems and Changes can be dealt with. I have personally spoken with those of you who had serious problems and concerns, as they related directly or indirectly with matters of:

Prize Money, Judges, Pay Per View, Promoters Failure to Pay, Contest Entry Deadlines, Score Sheets and other issues that needed the attention of the the federation or issues that needed a response by the federation.

Well, some Athletes responded with feedback for me to place on the table with the federation, while others didn't respond to any issues or complaints that related to them.

This year, most of you were expecting a response from me following the Mr. Olympia regarding the final "Issues & Concerns" that were to be placed before the other Officials and the federation Vice President. I forwarded the detailed items to Jim Manion, the IFBB Vice President 8 weeks prior to the Olympia Weekend and we were to go over them at the Mr. Olympia Meeting prior to the contest with other Representives and Officials. I received an Email from an IFBB Official Representative that had the "Formal Representative Meeting" starting at 9pm Wendsday evening after the Athletes Meeting.

However, when I showed up for the Men's Meeting starting at 7:30pm, I was told the Official & Representative Meeting began at 4:30pm and was over.

I was also told I should have received and Email stating the "Change of Time" on my computer. Sadly, I never did receive an email and or a phone call stating the change? I was told I would receive the "Minutes" regarding the meeting, however I have yet to hear or see anything that happend or was addressed regarding the issues you guys wanted me to address?

It is for this reason, I feel the position of "Athlete Representative" for me does not carry equal balance for you the Athletes in regard to the federation and promoters.

Therefore, I removing myself from the position of "Athlete Representative" effective immediately. I feel I am not able to effectively have the issues that need immediate attention addressed by the federation to aide and assist you in your professional careers.

I wish you all continued success and best wishes!

Respectfully,

Shawn Ray

[Ken B.]

I caught his response to Ron's question too. Has anything been more plain to see? I honestly can't see why anyone would bother to compete at that level anymore.

[Troyster]

As I mentioned in another thread, when I met him I was very impressed with both his perspective and passion on the issues at hand.

More to the point, I liked him (a lot) and really didn't know what to expect before I met him.

And... it seems there are some big problems in the IFBB that really DO need to be addressed.

T