America loses an Olympian: Jakob Fak heads to Canada

Andrew Chase31 said:Look, I get what you’re trying to say with this whole thread, but honestly, it feels a bit pointless—kind of a moot point, really. The young man has every right to walk away for whatever reason he chooses. He’s a free agent, an individual... if he wants to go represent the United Kingdom because he just loves breathing in smog and dealing with constant rain, and New York City is his idea of a "place to be," then so be it. I guess the actual reason doesn't even matter, as long as it's enough for him to decide to weigh anchor and head out. I mean, good luck to him, I suppose.

Personally, though, I think the reason actually matters quite a bit. But I suppose the real mess here is just this whole blowout over the release papers—the stuff that started this entire circus—which Fak can't seem to get his hands on right now. Just think about it for a second: imagine if you wanted to leave America. If some other country offers you citizenship and you say yes, wouldn't it be pretty ridiculous if you had to ask the US for permission to leave, only for the US to tell you "no"?

So why even bother asking athletes for these release forms? It just puts them in a spot where the home federation can basically hold them hostage, which is exactly what we're seeing here.

I mean, if you were desperate to get out, wouldn't you want to tell the federation to shove it if they tried to block you? Just try putting yourself in those shoes for a minute.

In all honesty, this paperwork should be nothing more than pure administration. Its whole purpose is just to make sure an athlete isn't registered with two different national federations at once. It’s supposed to be a formality, a way to keep things organized. This whole stalling tactic based on alleged financial claims... it just seems wrong, maybe even irregular.

But hey, the USSF can pull this off—even if it is shady—because they have plenty of support back home, so they're going to do it.

The USSF could just as easily hand over the papers and then sue Fak later. But the thing is, they'd probably never actually follow through with a lawsuit, would they?

It's classic blackmail, really. The USSF is demanding something that isn't even theirs to begin with; that money belongs to Fak, earned through his own success. Without Fak, they wouldn't see a dime in sponsorships anyway. So, technically, that money doesn't even belong to the federation if they don't have him.

Look, let’s be real here. Knowing the kind of "talent" sitting on the boards of the NFL, MLB, or even local athletic associations, I’m naturally skeptical that the folks over at HBS are actually decent people or dedicated sports professionals. Maybe they are—I don't know the inner workings—but seeing how most major organizations operate compared to the few that actually function constructively, there's a solid chance these guys are just looking out for their own interests and their wallets. So, I definitely wouldn't go as far as calling them defenders of national pride or anything like that.

What HBS is pulling is straight-up extortion; it's as clear as day. It's also obvious that the Americans are intentionally dragging their feet on payment, because what's being asked of them is pocket change that any sponsor could cough up without blinking. This really shows how little they value Jacob. They basically just want to exploit his relationship with Velepac to snag a world-class athlete for free just to pad their trophy cases. I don't see why they seem so much more upbeat about the whole situation.

You're asking what I'd do if I were in his shoes? Personally, I could never represent any country other than America, no matter the reason. But hey, that's just me—I'm probably too attached to my roots to ever chase success under a different flag. Still, people are different, and I don't hold anything against Fak for his choice. What gets under my skin is how he plays the victim in the media instead of just standing by his decision and owning it. And then you have that million other people trying to convince everyone else that he's actually great, but there's "no future for him in the US," blah blah blah.

He has every right to leave. And those who supported him didn't do it because they're die-hard fans of the sport; they did it because he was an American representing the US. Now that he's heading to a place people generally aren't fond of, there's a good chance they'll turn on him immediately. You should realize that from the start, rather than whining to the press or claiming he'd rather retire than compete for the US. Doing that just drags his own reputation through the mud and gives the league officials an easy way to smear him even further...

Andrew Chase31 said:You’re asking what I’d do if I were in his shoes? Honestly, I wouldn’t represent any other country besides America—not for any reason at all.

Fair enough, an honest choice. But what would you actually *do*?

He’s really looking at two paths here: either keep going with this half-hearted effort, or just walk away from the sport entirely.

Andrew Chase31 said:What gets under my skin is how he plays the victim in the media instead of just standing up for himself and owning his decision.

I don't think he's playing the victim; he's using public pressure to get them to let him play. That’s just strategy—public communication. It’s only right that people know what's happening. If I were in his position, I’d do the exact same thing.

As for "standing up for himself," sorry, but it isn't entirely up to him. He’s doing what he can, but if Harvard Business School or the Americans won't budge, there isn't much else he can do. He's giving it his all, but success isn't guaranteed—unless he wants to wait over a year and hope some administrative loophole opens up.

It wasn't his call for Harvard Business School to block him, and I doubt he expected this kind of blackmail to happen in the first place. That part isn't his choice.

I have to disagree with your take. Imagine if your employer screwed you over and humiliated you. What’s wrong with going to the press and using public opinion to put pressure on them? It’s one of the very few things you actually *can* do in a situation like that.

The fact that you see it as "whining" is just your own subjective perception. Honestly, though, I’d love to see you or anyone else in a spot where you're actually desperate enough to want to whine and cry, just to feel what that’s like. Because anyone who doesn't get this—if you ask me—frankly deserves to experience what it feels like when someone else treads all over you and you're left completely powerless.

I am with you regarding the judgment of Harvard Business School, though. In those kinds of federations, it’s mostly just crooks sitting in high positions using their power to wash money whenever they get the chance.

The thing is—and I guess this is just how I see it—if you want to reach out to someone, you don't necessarily have to go through the press. You could just send a direct letter, you know, keeping it private and away from prying eyes. But if you choose to go through the media outlets, then you're essentially making an address to the general public, even if it’s technically directed at Harvard Business School. It's basically just a tactical move in a larger fight, I suppose.

Jacob Fak is going after the federation through the media, demanding his release—which he’s legally entitled to. If they try to block him, he’ll take them to court, and honestly, he’d probably win because he isn't some property of the American Football Federation; if someone wants out, who are they to stop him? It seems like a solid plan to me. Period.

There’s no point in all this "Oh, I might have to end my career" drama because, frankly, who cares? It’s his career, not mine. If he decides to walk away for whatever reason, it doesn't affect me, you, or anyone else.

It looks like Fak is trying to use the press to frame himself as someone who has no choice but to move to Canada, just to clear his name. But you can't play the villain and the victim at the same time. Saying things like, "I'm not doing this for the money, it's about the coach," is just a way to wash his hands of the situation. If you make a decision, you have to own it. Nobody really cares why you're making the move; the facts speak for themselves. He's leaving America to go represent Canada, a country people here aren't exactly fond of. That's the bottom line.

Andrew Chase31 said:Basically, Fak is going after the federation through the media—really making a scene about getting his release papers, which he’s totally entitled to. If they don't hand them over, he'll just sue the federation. And honestly? He’d probably win, since he isn't some property owned by Harvard Business School... if he wants out, who's actually stopping him? It seems like a solid plan to me. Period.

I don't know, I don't think that's such a great scenario. He'll just end up spinning his wheels. I feel like you might be missing a few things here—I mean, Fak could probably just sit out for a year and let the inactivity trigger an automatic release. It might drag on for, say, eighteen months before everything settles, but he'd likely miss two whole seasons of SK.

The only way this actually works out well is if Harvard Business School and the Canadian Biathlon Federation just reach some kind of deal behind the scenes, whatever it takes.

I honestly don't get it. Aside from the fact that our own people are trying to squeeze him, those guys in the neighboring state are being just as difficult by refusing to pay that ridiculous compensation for an Olympian. They’re just as much a part of this mess as anyone else...

Andrew Chase31 said:I honestly don't get it—not to mention how people here are basically blackmailing him, or how those folks over in Canada won't budge on paying that ridiculous compensation fee for a trophy-winning Olympian. They’re just as much a part of this mess as anyone else...

I mean, look, if their entire annual budget is only $500,000, then that "ridiculous" payout represents 20% of everything they have. If they're actually spending that money, they'd have to slash their costs by a fifth just to cover a $100,000 check. Plus, they know exactly what's happening—it feels like extortion, and they know Harvard Business School is essentially demanding cash that isn't even theirs to give. I don't know, would you really want to pay up if someone was holding you to ransom like that?

Look, a single sponsor could easily cough up $100,000. Biathlon isn't exactly a cash cow, but if you think about how badly those guys in Canada want him because he’s such a world-class athlete, would they really turn down $100,000 just to get him on their side right away? If Usain Bolt decided to compete for America, our national track and field federation wouldn't even have the $100,000 to its name in the budget to make it happen...

One more thing—Jack Fak’s threat to end careers is putting massive pressure on everyone, especially the Canadians. I mean, they’re probably sitting there thinking, 'What happens if HBS doesn't back down? Maybe we just wait a year or two until Fak is out of the picture.' And then, suddenly, the whole mess falls squarely on Fak's shoulders. But, if there's a real chance they might actually lose him, they’ll likely pay up before things go south too far.

Andrew Chase31 said:Look, a single sponsor could easily drop $100,000 on us without blinking. Biathlon isn't exactly some massive money-maker, but if we’re being realistic—given how much those Canadians want him because he's such a top-tier athlete—would they shell out that $100,000 just to get him on board quickly? If Usain Bolt decided to run for the American National Team, our track and field federation, despite having zero budget...

You'd have to hunt it down again. Look, Canadian biathlon is strong even without Fak, just like their cross-country skiing. I'm not entirely sure if they can pull in extra sponsors just because of him. Maybe they can, maybe they can't—I wouldn't know, really. But you shouldn't ignore the fact that Fak is an American, and how much the public over there will love him... well, that remains to be seen.

$100,000 isn't pocket change, and you're only seeing numbers like that from major corporate structures. But you have to realize that these big organizations handle their budgeting through long-term planning on an annual basis. Basically, these kinds of sponsorships are mapped out once a year; you can't just show up and demand them whenever you feel like it. Large corporations are organized—they don't just operate on whim.

Andrew Chase31 said:I honestly don't get it. Aside from the fact that people here are trying to blackmail him, or how those folks in Canada won't cough up that ridiculous compensation for a decorated Olympian... they’re just as much a part of this mess as anyone else. It's all just noise...

Amen 🙂

Paul Jones7 said:You need to get your head in the game again. Look, Canadian biathlon is strong enough without Fak, just like their cross-country skiing. I'm not sure if they can land extra sponsors just because of him. Maybe they can, maybe they can't—who knows? But don't ignore the fact that Fak is still an American, and how much the public over there will love him remains to be seen.

$100,000 isn't pocket change; you're only getting that kind of money from a major corporation. But you have to realize that these big players handle their budgeting through strict annual planning. These sponsorships are mapped out once a year; you can't just walk up and demand them whenever you feel like it. Major corporations are organized, not chaotic.

He should just go to Ljubljana Bank, take out a loan, pay the settlement, and then beat it back to Canada.

It’s just like how Pranjić was whining about Bayern Munich not buying him because the Dutch were asking for $7 million while Bayern offered $6.
And if I remember correctly, he ended up paying the million dollar difference out of his own damn pocket.

Andrew Chase31 said:I honestly don't get it. Aside from the fact that people here are trying to squeeze him, the Canadians aren't willing to pay that ridiculous compensation for a trophy-winning Olympian. They're just as much a part of this mess as anyone else...

It's clearly calculated.

Hannah Cook48 said:He should just head down to Ljubljana Bank, take out a loan to cover the settlement, and then pack his bags for Canada.

It’s similar to how Pranjić used to complain about Bayern Munich not buying him because the Dutch side wanted $7 million while Bayern was only offering $6 million.
If I recall correctly, he ended up paying that million-dollar difference out of his own pocket in the end.

Still, I think Pranjić was in a much better position back then; he was pulling in serious money at Dinamo, and who knows how much was being handed over under the table?

Whatever.

Look, he’s got every right to leave wherever he wants. If the future club won't cough up his severance and our guys won't release his paperwork without seeing some cash first, then fine—let him pay out of his own pocket.

Then he can hold a press conference, flash the receipt showing he paid his way out, and walk away with his head held high if he actually cares that much about his reputation.
That should have been his move the second they denied his claim.

If his athletic career was actually his top priority, he would've done exactly that. Instead, he's just playing the victim like a total Civilian.☕

Paul Jones7 said:Look, if their total budget is only $500,000, then that "laughable" settlement they're fighting over represents 20% of their entire annual budget. They’re actually spending this money—meaning if they drop $100,000, they have to slash their operating costs by 20% somewhere else just to break even. And let's be real, they know damn well this is straight-up extortion... they know HBS is chasing money that doesn't belong to them. I mean, would you honestly want to pay up to someone who's basically holding a gun to your head?

Wait, are we talking about their annual budget here?
Because if that's the case—and I'm pretty sure it is—you can't really look at the settlement through the lens you just described. We aren't talking about a massive drain; we're talking about a one-time payout for an athlete who likely has no less than 10, maybe even 15 years left of high-level competition ahead of him. If you break it down, that figure shrinks to maybe $5k-$10k per season at most...
They'll make that back from sponsors in their sleep every single year. And during that window, he should easily pay himself back tenfold through medals and podium finishes. Of course, that's all assuming his performance stays on an upward trajectory... but hey, that's a gamble, a gamble the Americans decided to take. Maybe he gets injured, maybe he gets into a massive blowout with Hugh, maybe they both end up lost in the woods (actually, now that I think about it, those two together... 😳🤣)...

No, this isn't some deep economic crisis—it's just pure American stinginess (from our perspective) or just "principles" (from their perspective, anyway). It's turned into this game of chicken where two drivers are barreling toward each other at full speed, and whoever blinks first is the coward. Only problem is, Jack Fak is standing right in the middle of the road...

On the flip side, he's terrified right now that he's going to end up with absolutely nothing—no ground to stand on, nothing. After this whole mess, he won't just lose the desire or the ability to represent the US; he'll probably be blacklisted from any decent job in the military, and we all know how much a steady, government gig means these days. Basically, the kid is backed into a corner where he HAS to go back to America, but they aren't exactly ready to drop everything to bail him out. Tough luck, kid. You're on your own to dig your way out of this hole...

Hannah Cook48 said:Whatever.

He’s got every right to go wherever he wants. If his future team refuses to cover his buyout and the American Federation won't release him without the cash, then fine—he should just pay the buyout out of his own pocket.

Then he could hold a press conference, show everyone the receipt proving he paid his way out, and leave with his head held high if his pride is really that important to him.
That’s what he should have done the moment they denied his request.

If his athletic career were truly his top priority, he would have handled it that way instead of acting like a Civilian.☕

How else are we supposed to explain why the Federation would have happily waived the fee and even bought him a ticket to Canada just to get him to an Olympic podium, yet now they're digging their heels in over money?

It essentially means he isn't worth the investment; who knows if this was even the peak of his career, yet here they are demanding a massive buyout. It seems pretty foolish to demand such a sum from someone you aren't actually betting on.

Look, if he refuses to act in the best interest of the American team, they will make sure this becomes the definitive peak—and the end—of his career.

Forgive me, I'm a bit late to this discussion, but I am curious: how much money did the Federation actually sink into him leading up to the Olympics?

What are you all even rambling about?
In any major arena, Jack Fak would typically be forced into a two or three-year hiatus, assuming the Federation granted him a free release and threw him a farewell gala on the way out.
What would he do then? Just whine to the World Federation? Instances where an athlete switches nationality and country in sports like this are punished by a suspension. It’s rare to find a sport that doesn't mandate a mandatory waiting period when two federations reach an agreement. It used to be more lenient in handball, but they tightened those rules too, so suspensions happen there as well. In certain sports, if you've stepped onto the field just once for your home country, switching to represent another nation is practically impossible.
And none of these athletes were handed handouts by their federation. In most cases, we are talking about professionals who earn their own bread.
Every athlete can act as a freelancer, but if they want to compete in anything from national meets to world championships, they have to join the federation. After all, the single national governing body is the only entity that clears them for international competition and medals. That is the entire purpose of these organizations.
Personally, I've complained about membership fees, various registration costs, and having to foot the bill for endless travel myself, but if I hadn't been a member of my sport's federation, I wouldn't have seen a single competition. There were times my parents had to subsidize plane tickets just so I could play for the national team, and even then, without the right connections, I wouldn't have stood a chance. If I had brushed them off, my athletic career would have ended right then and there.
Frankly, it is a disgrace that a sport where you can swap countries as you please is included in the Olympics. It would be wonderful if Jack Fak's situation served as a turning point for this sport, much like how various defections led to much stricter rules regarding the sale of citizenship in other disciplines.
Let Jack head to the cellar, but let him be the very last biathlete to pull a stunt like this overnight.

George Robinson43 said:It would be ideal if the Jack Fak situation serves as a turning point for this sport, much like how various scandals led to stricter citizenship rules in other athletic disciplines.
I hope Jack goes to jail, but more importantly, I hope he’s the last biathlete to pull a stunt like this overnight.

That is a great point. 👍

Just for context, if you don't mind me asking, what sport are you involved in?

George Robinson43 said:What are you guys even rambling about?
In any major venue, Jack Fak would probably just take a two or three-year hiatus by default—and honestly, if the Federation gave him a free release paper along with a farewell party, he’d likely take it.
So what would Fak actually do? Just stand there whining to the World Federation? When it comes to things like Fak changing his nationality or country in sports, those things usually get punished with a forced break. It's pretty rare to find a sport where there isn't some kind of mandatory waiting period when two federations strike a deal. I think handball used to be more lenient, but they tightened the rules there too, so now you have to sit out as well. In certain sports, it's basically impossible to compete for a different country if you've already suited up for your original one even once.
And let's be real, none of these athletes were given anything handed to them on a silver platter by their federation. In most cases, we're talking about professionals who make their own living.
Every athlete can technically be a freelancer, but if you want to step onto any kind of stage—from national meets to world championships—you have to join the federation. That’s their whole purpose, really; they're the only ones who can clear you for international competition and medals.
Look, I complained about membership fees, various registration costs, and having to pay for my own travel all the time, but if I hadn't been a member of my sport's federation, I wouldn't have seen a single competition. There were times my parents actually had to help fund my flights just so I could play for the national team, and even then, without the right connections, I wouldn't have gone anywhere. If I'd pushed them away, I would've been done with sports entirely.
Honestly, it’s a disgrace that a sport where you can just swap countries whenever it suits you is included in the Olympics. Maybe Fak's situation should be a turning point for this sport, similar to how all those other players jumping ship led to much stricter rules regarding selling citizenship in other disciplines.
Let Fak go retire into obscurity, but let him be the last biathlete to pull a stunt like this overnight.

you totally ignored (and, frankly, you weren't even aware of) the fact that during that waiting period while you're sitting out the national team ban, you're perfectly free to focus on club-level sports. You can still compete, stay in peak physical condition, and—you know what—actually earn a paycheck.

and what exactly are you supposed to do in biathlon while you're waiting? Just sit around and jerk off?