What would you guess the highest paid salary in the NFL is? Let’s think up North of $60 million. Any guesses for the NBA? Think $40 million-plus. If you are wondering, ‘Well these are team sports with recurring payments’, let’s think F1: $10 million-plus. Golf? $4 million-plus. The sporting world is attracting more eyes, understandably, the payment to the athletes is growing as well. But point in case: Track-and-field has also evolved. In fact, it garnered five billion viewers in the Paris Olympics, highest ever for the event. But the pay? Disappointing to say the least.

Ever since the Paris Summer Games, voices are growing louder to improve the financial situation of the sport. Sure, World Athletics promised a sum of $50,000 to the gold medalists in Paris. An increase from the meager $10,000 of the Diamond League, true. But this is nowhere near the millions of other athletes. Even Athlos NYC and Grand Slam Track promised more opportunities, but these events take place every two years, adding to the grueling issue that something needs to change. 

Amongst many track-and-field athletes voicing their concerns is the Golden Couple of the sport– Hunter Woodhall and Tara Davis-Woodhall. To help the sport, the couple has been raising money for Shriners Children’s since their wedding in 2022. Back in January, Hunter compared his sport and F1. “If I explained to you a track meet and an F1 event without specifics of it, it would sound like the same thing. So, how come we do it so much worse than them?” Now, it seems like they have found a tiny crack in the huge wall to let the sun in and Hunter is all-gratitude about it.

Long jumper Tara Davis-Woodhall received an honor of a lifetime from her alma mater The Agoura High following her historic Olympic gold medal win in the form of the Tara Davis Invitational last year. Students from over 30 schools participate in the gala event held annually and in its second edition, the Woodhalls welcomed some big donations.

In a recent video uploaded on the Tara and Hunter YouTube channel, the duo could be seen speaking about their fundraiser. At one point, they reached the stage where a board mentioned the event name with all the brands that are participating in the donations. Seeing how incredible the feat is, Hunter shared his thoughts.

“Take a nice long look at the people up on that board because those are companies that said ‘You know, we believe in track-and-field, we wanna see the sport change.’ … Maybe not traditionally in the sport of track-and-field but they decided they want to be in track-and-field, they wanna see the sport grow. Dick’s Sporting Goods, TJ Maxx, Raising Cane’s, Firefly, thank you guys!

“These guys put the money in here and the time and energy and the donations to make a track meet cool man, grow the sport, give kids a chance to compete, have a good time, run fast, jump far. Track-and-field’s on the way up baby. And these are the people making it happen, so, take a long pregnant look at this beautiful board here.”

According to the same video, Dick’s Sporting Goods has donated 5,000 Stanley Cups to the Invitational. A heart-warming and a thoughtful helping hand indeed. With teary eyes, Tara spoke, “So, Dick’s Sporting Goods donated 5000 Stanleys to my track which is the most insane thing. I don’t even know if there’s going to be 5000 people here. But everyone’s going to get a Stanley.” 

Hunter brought in the price of the event ranging from $6 to $11 this year. Now in comparison, Stanley ranges anywhere between $15 to $75-plus depending on the capacity. By the looks of it, they were 30-40 oz bottles, meaning anyone who is willing to pay $11 for the Invitational is going home with a Stanley, having saved somewhere around under $50!! 

Back in March, Tara talked to PopSugar, asking companies to invest more in the sport. “Women’s sports deserve the same visibility, coverage, and opportunities as men’s. Right now, the playing field isn’t equal. There are fewer opportunities, less media coverage, and a lack of investment. It’s time for brands, networks, and decision-makers to step up, invest, and give women’s sports the recognition and platform they rightfully deserve.”

Right to say, they heard her. And what better way to show their support than to do it in her own Invitational where she is trying to change the lives of many kids as well?!

Speaking of the tickets, the general admission tickets came at $11, while children and aged adults at $6. Not just financially, Hunter Woodhall also had other ideas to support track and field. 

The Georgia native also asked fans to come and watch the races live in large numbers. This would help in generating more revenue and also boost the visibility of the sport, which is much needed at the moment. Surely, such a gesture comes in at a very crucial juncture.

With events like ATHLOS NYC and Grand Slam Track taking the headlines, Hunter Woodhall’s push will be a much needed one. Meanwhile, this is not the only charity that the track and field couple got their hands into. They are continuing to try and give back to the hospital that changed the Paralympic champion’s life completely.

Hunter Woodhall gives back to the institution that changed his life

As a 11-month-old, Hunter’s fibular hemimelia was diagnosed. The condition did not allow his lower leg bones fibula to form. As a result, the Woodhall family had to make the tough decision of amputating Hunter’s lower legs so he can have some chance of treatments and mobility. Turns out, it was the Shriners Hospitals for Children who became the life savior for the young talent from Georgia.

The hospital not only fitted him with prosthetics but also supported his athletic ambitions from a young age. “Any time I went to them asking for a new prosthetic for whatever sport I was playing, they built one for me. I went to them and told them I was running 5Ks. They said, ‘We’ve never made a running blade, but let’s try it out.’” 

It’s the kind of support every kid deserves in the pursuit of their dreams! Years later, the sprinter continues to be thankful for the intervention of the hospital.

Now, the Woodhall couple are supporting the institution. They have already raised $2,178 toward their $5,000 goal to support Shriners Hospitals for Children, where the track sensation received life-changing care. This fund-raising website has been operational since their wedding in 2022. There, they requested everyone: “In lieu of wedding gifts, please help us support Shriners Hospitals for Children® — Salt Lake City and the “Fundraise for LOVE” initiative by making a donation through our page.”

Hunter spoke then, “SHC has been a huge reason why I am where I am today and able to compete at the highest sport level.  We could never repay them for all they have done, but with your support, we can help them help other children in need.”

Besides being a Paralympic gold medalist, Hunter is a social media sensation with millions of followers across TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram. And the champion remains vocal about Shriners’ impact on his life. His fundraising efforts aim to give back to the hospital that took a chance on him long before the world knew his name.

“They weren’t doing this for the Hunter Woodhall people know today. They were doing it to help a kid try a sport that may not have amounted to anything.” The hospital recognized Hunter Woodhall’s potential early on and did everything to help him on his path to greatness. 

Through this fundraiser, Hunter hopes to ensure other young athletes receive the same support and belief that fueled his rise to Paralympic stardom. And through her Invitational, Tara wants to give young kids a stage to showcase their talents and love the sport that she does too.