The first rider-led safety and competition standards in the history of American motocross.
Advocating for minimum appearance compensation, guaranteed purse structures, and a transparent financial relationship between promoters, manufacturers, and riders,
Establishing consistent track preparation guidelines, medical readiness standards, and concussion protocols across all sanctioned events.
“We are not here to divide the sport — we are here to elevate it. When riders are safe, healthy, and respected, the entire industry wins.”
“We’re Protecting the Riders Who Protect the Sport”
“The sport has grown, but protections haven’t.”
“Riders deserve a voice, and the sport deserves safety.”
Every major sport (NASCAR, NFL, motocross overseas, MotoGP, UFC, etc.) has evolved to protect athletes — American motocross is long overdue
Motocross is more dangerous, faster, and more physically demanding than ever.
• Yet riders have zero input into track safety, scheduling, medical protocols, or fairness.
• Riders have been treated as replaceable assets in a billion-dollar industry.
• There is no injury support system when careers end early.
• Too many riders suffer preventable injuries due to inconsistent standards.
While some manufacturers currently include clauses restricting riders from joining labor organizations, federal law and modern legal interpretations affirm that athletes retain the fundamental right to organize for safety and workplace standards.
Ensuring riders have a protected voice in decisions affecting event structure, travel demands, safety rules, and schedule changes.
“Motocross riders put their bodies and their futures on the line every time they drop the gate,” said interim NMRA board member.
“Until now, riders have never had a seat at the table when decisions about track safety, medical response, schedules, or pay structures were made. The NMRA is here to fix that. This is about protecting lives, careers, and the future of our sport.”
INITIAL LEGAL FRAMEWORK TO START A MOTOCROSS RIDERS UNION
Built From Federal Labor Statutes & NLRB Requirements
The formation of any union in the United States is governed by:
• National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) – 29 U.S.C. §§ 151–169
• Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act (LMRDA) – 29 U.S.C. §§ 401–531
• National Labor Relations Board (NLR
regulations – 29 CFR Parts 101–103
• IRS Requirements for Non-Profit Labor Organizations – 26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(5)
Professional motocross riders are often called “independent contractors,” but
the NLRB can determine them to be employees if:
• They are controlled by promoters/organizers,
• Their schedules or performance conditions are dictated,
• Their economic dependence resembles employment.
Union-banning clauses in contracts are illegal and unenforceable.
Under Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act (29 U.S.C. § 157):
“Employees shall have the right to self-organization… to form, join, or assist labor organizations… and to engage in collective bargaining.”
Under Section 8(a)(1), employers cannot:
“Interfere with, restrain, or coerce employees in the exercise of Section 7 rights.”
This means:
🔥 Any contract clause prohibiting union membership is VOID.
🔥 Employers cannot legally punish or fire a rider for trying to unionize.
🔥 Even independent contractors have special protections under NLRB decisions.
So although manufacturers may TRY, in court or before the NLRB, the clause would be struck down instantly.
Manufacturers claim riders are “independent contractors.”
This is actually an advantage.
Because independent contractors can form associations without ANY employer interference, and the manufacturers have zero legal authority to restrict membership or organization.
The National Motocross Riders Association (NMRA)”
— a worker-led professional organization
— protected under freedom of association
— outside employer jurisdiction
This lets riders:
• Organize
• Build power
• Collect dues
• Negotiate collectively
• Create safety standards
• Vote on policies
• Influence promoters
WITHOUT triggering employer retaliation or contract limitations.
If a manufacturer tries to enforce the anti-union clause, we counter with:
A. A Professional Riders Guild (PRG)
Modeled after:
• Screen Actors Guild (SAG)
• PGA (golfers)
• ATP/WTA (tennis)
These organizations are NOT “unions,” but:
• Negotiate pay
• Set safety rules
• Control working conditions
• Provide benefits
Anti-union contract clauses do NOT apply.
5. Use a “Solidarity Agreement” Instead of Collective Bargaining
Since manufacturers will claim riders are contractors, we can use a different tool:
Solidarity Agreements
• Riders agree to minimum standards
• Riders agree not to race unless conditions are met
• Riders agree to protect each other from retaliation
• Riders agree on safety demands and minimum compensation
This avoids NLRA procedural limits and still forces reform.
Example from real sports:
• Korean eSports associations
• Professional skateboarding’s riders union
• Freeskiers professional alliance
All successful even without employer recognition.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Motocross Riders Announce Formation of a National Riders Association to Improve Safety, Fairness, and Long-Term Sustainability of the Sport
PITTSBURGH, PA — 11/19/2025 — Today, elite motocross riders from across the United States announced the formation of the National Motocross Riders Association (NMRA), a member-driven professional organization dedicated to improving safety standards, competitive conditions, fair compensation practices, and long-term career sustainability in the motocross industry.
For decades, riders have shouldered the physical risk of the sport while lacking a unified voice in decisions that directly affect their health, safety, and livelihoods. The NMRA marks the first organized effort to create a modern, transparent, rider-led framework designed to protect athletes and strengthen the sport from the ground up.
“Motocross riders put their bodies and their futures on the line every time they drop the gate,” said interim NMRA board member.
“Until now, riders have never had a seat at the table when decisions about track safety, medical response, schedules, or pay structures were made. The NMRA is here to fix that. This is about protecting lives, careers, and the future of our sport.”
The NMRA will focus on five immediate priorities:
1. Safety Standards & Medical Protocols
Establishing consistent track preparation guidelines, medical readiness standards, and concussion protocols across all sanctioned events.
2. Fair Compensation & Transparency
Advocating for minimum appearance compensation, guaranteed purse structures, and a transparent financial relationship between promoters, manufacturers, and riders.
3. Injury Support & Career Longevity
Creating a safety net that supports riders facing career-impacting injuries, including insurance initiatives, recovery resources, and long-term planning.
4. Professional Rights & Representation
Ensuring riders have a protected voice in decisions affecting event structure, travel demands, safety rules, and schedule changes.
5. Youth Rider Protection
Setting guidelines that reduce preventable injuries in amateur development programs.
While some manufacturers currently include clauses restricting riders from joining labor organizations, federal law and modern legal interpretations affirm that athletes retain the fundamental right to organize for safety and workplace standards. The NMRA is structured as a professional 501(c)(5) riders association, a model similar to organizations in other major sports, and operates fully within federal regulations.
“Nobody in this sport benefits from unsafe tracks, broken careers, or inconsistent rules,
“We are not here to divide the sport — we are here to elevate it. When riders are safe, healthy, and respected, the entire industry wins.”
The NMRA is now accepting charter members and will soon announce its inaugural Riders Congress, where members will finalize bylaws, elect long-term leadership, and adopt the first rider-led safety and competition standards in the history of American motocross.
So who are the "elite motocross riders from across the United States announced the formation of the National Motocross Riders Association (NMRA)"
So a union but not called a union?
I get the stuff about safety, medical support, etc but I don’t see how collective bargaining can work.
The riders are independent contractors and only a couple per team. How will minimum pay standards and related structured compensation be applied to riders of different calibre on the same team and across the multitude of teams? How do you make it work for a small private team like Club MX and also to Honda HRC?
What are the “preventable injuries due to inconsistent standards” being currently suffered? And by whom?
Remember when Trey Carnard tried to start a rider safety group to look after the track safety after he retired and was doing it for free? Seems none of the riders were interested.
The Shop
Luxon 4-Post Bar Mounts
$189.95 - $239.95
DeCal Works Huge Plastic Inventory of UFO and Polisport kits.
Free shipping: VITALMX
which pro riders are leading this now?
YOU left out cyclists union.
https://www.cpacycling.com/en/
The association "C.P.A., Cyclistes Professionnels Associés" is an international non-profit association that safeguards the interests of the professional riders
About the CPA
Cyclistes Professionnels Associés is the largest international association of professional cyclists. We work to ensure that cyclists have a strong, collective voice in their sport. Through our advocacy, professional cyclists can engage with the world governing body UCI and with teams and race organisers and ensure that the voice of cyclists is heard.
We support cyclists in all aspects of their work, providing assistance on contracts, prizes, issues during races, and ensuring that cyclists are heard in key conversations about safety, regulations concerning their work, health, equipment, doping controls and cycling reforms.
And then we support cyclists at the end of their careers as they think about how to move on to their next career.
We work through CPA Women to focus on the specific needs of female cyclists. These include conversations about their safety from harassment, improving the women's sector in terms of races, prizes and salaries. We want to create a global network of women cyclists and former professional cyclists to develop grassroots cycling and build a solid future for professional women cyclists.
Mission
The CPA works to give riders the opportunity to defend their interests, see their rights respected, and demand improved working conditions.
Our goal is to make the riders' voices heard in negotiations and dialogue with other key players in world cycling, such as the UCI, teams and race organisers.
We work with riders in the following ways:
All riders under a contract which respect the Joint Agreement with a World Tour, Pro Continental or Continental team may decide to become member and can raise concerns with us individually. We have an ongoing dialogue with riders and regularly poll riders on safety and other concerns as well as keep them informed on race issues.
All pro and world tour riders have a representative who can join the CPA's Council of Riders and actively participate in the life of the Association.
A CPA delegate attends each World Tour race. Before the race they link in with team representatives. During races, our daily communication means riders’ concerns can have an instant impact. After every race we conduct rider surveys to review aspects including race infrastructure and route safety.
We represent directors of several national associations, support the creation of new national associations and learn about the different experiences and requirements in different geographies. All pro riders members of CPA have a direct invitation to assemblies.
How it works
Our structure consists of a General Assembly and a Steering Committee of CPA President Adam Hansen, the heads of national associations, the directors of the Men's and Women's Council of the CPA and the representatives of the Council of Riders. These members liaise constantly with the peloton and the steering committee meets four to six times per year to ensure CPA’s strategy reflects current rider concerns.
CPA’s funding comes predominately from a tax payed by the organisers of the most important races and from a contribution given by the UCI to all the cycling families.
Who is Who
Administration Board
President: Adam Hansen, former professional rider and president of the Australian national riders' association (AAPC)
Vice-President: Pascal Chanteur, ex cycling professional, President L’association Nationale des Coureurs Français (UNCP), director of the CPA Men’s Council
Vice-President: Alessandra Cappellotto, world champion and director of the CPA Women's Council
General Secretary: Laura Mora
Treasurer: Xavier Jan, Project Manager: prize money management
Steering Committee
Adam Hansen, president of the CPA and the Australian national riders' association (AAPC)
Alessandra Cappellotto, Vice President and director of the CPA Women's Council
Pascal Chanteur, Vice President and director of the CPA Men's Council, president of the French riders' national association (UNCP)
José de Santos, president of the Spanish national riders' association (ACP)
Cristian Salvato, president of the Italian national riders' association (ACCPI)
Pascal Chanteur, president of the French riders' national association (UNCP)
Paulo Couto, president of the Portuguese national riders' association (APCP)
David Chassot, secretary of the Suisse national riders' association (ACPS)
Staf Scheirlinckx, president of the Belgian national riders’ association (BPCA)
Jarosław Marycz, president of the Polish national riders’ association (SKZP)
Jairo Vega Buitrago, president of the Colombian national riders’ association (ASCICOL)
Honorary President
Gianni Bugno, winner of Giro d’Italia and many classics, two-time world champion
History
CPA was created on 15 May 1999 in Italy, on the eve of the Giro d’Italia to represent riders’ interests. Francesco Moser was the first president, followed by Cédric Vasseur in 2007 and Gianni Bugno from 2011 to 2023, when Adam Hansen, the current president, was elected.
During this time, the CPA has gained prestige and recognition from all players involved in the world of cycling.
Today, it brings together an increasing number of affiliate associations, and is engaged in dialogue with all pro riders. In 2017 we expanded to include a female chapter, CPA Women. In 2022 a new statute and a reform of the structure and functioning of the association was introduced. Among the most important changes are electronic voting and the official entry of women cyclists into the CPA.
We all know this is never going to work. Only way it would work is if the riders at the very top refuse to participate if the sanctioning body didn’t abide by these said “rules”. Didn’t read into your post much as I can see the outcome already but I hope you just have time to waste. Prove me wrong.
Maybe it will work and improve rider's life, maybe it won't but if you never try, you'll never know.
We all see GoFundMe campaigns by professional riders that got hurt doing their work and that's a disgrace, if anybody can put an end to that, that would be so much better for the sport and riders.
Kudos for trying, not sure why anyone could be against that.
And this is exactly how it worked in Grand Prix road racing (and Formula 1), 50 years ago.
Reminds me of James Eickel's thing from back in the mid 90s.
The lack of names is not a great initial look. If the current title holders signed off on it, that would give them some momentum.
My first thought also… remember when AMA”s Duke Finch strong armed/ intimidated him….wonder how that worked out for Eickels? I see feld and mxsports contacting creator of this for a backroom discussion 👌
History across every major professional sport proves one consistent truth:
When athletes gain structured representation, the entire ecosystem grows — and athletes, promoters, and sponsors all earn substantially more.
The formation and support of the National Motocross Riders Association (NMRA) will not reduce profitability — it will increase total industry value, stabilize professional careers, attract higher-value sponsors, elevate broadcast rights, and dramatically raise individual rider earnings over time.
What History Shows: Athlete Representation Always Grows the Sport
NFL Players Association (NFLPA)
Before strong unionization:
Low salaries
Short careers
Minimal benefits
After structured representation:
Exploding TV contracts
Players earning millions annually
Revenue-sharing models
Safer gameplay = longer careers = better performance
NBA Players Association (NBPA)
Salaries increased over 1,000% in 30 years
Minimum contracts rose by over 600%
League valuation multiplied from millions to $90+ billion
MLB Players Association (MLBPA)
First true modern sports union
Created free agency
Boosted total league revenue
Sparked golden era of fan engagement
UFC & MMA Athletes
Fighter advocacy → higher purses
Improved safety standards
More structured sponsorship rights
Growth in PPV value and global audience
Every example shows the same pattern:
Athlete voice → legitimacy → stability → media value → financial expansion.
Motocross is currently at the pre-evolution stage where other sports once stood.
Stronger Media & Broadcast Contracts
Networks value:
Predictability
Star power
Story continuity
Career longevity
Representation creates:
Star narrative development
Marketable personalities
Long-term brand equity
This increases:
Rights fees
Advertising rates
Platform expansion
Structured Representation Begins
Minimum guaranteed payouts
Injury protection programs
Transparent purse structures
Negotiated safety standards
Promoters respond by:
Building better events
Enhancing fan experience
Raising ticket prices modestly
Increasing sponsor demand
Stage 3 – Industry Expansion Phase
Larger crowds
Higher broadcast packages
Improved merchandise value
Premium sponsorship growth
This allows:
Increased total purse pools
Higher appearance fees
Sponsored rider bonuses
Event revenue sharing models
Stage 4 – Long-Term Wealth Phase
Riders become:
Marketable professionals
Recognizable personalities
Long-term brand ambassadors
Income sources expand:
Sponsorship portfolios
Licensing deals
Media opportunities
Speaking & endorsement roles
Appearance-based compensation
This mirrors the path of:
NFL athletes
NBA players
Professional golfers
MMA stars
The Real Economics: How Riders End Up Making Much More Money Stage 1 – Baseline (Current Model)
Disparate pay
Inconsistent bonuses
Career instability
Injury risk without safety net
Short earning windows
Promoter Financial Advantages (Direct & Measurable) Promoters gain:
✅ Higher ticket demand
✅ Episode-to-episode continuity
✅ Predictable roster participation
✅ Reduced event liability
✅ Enhanced safety reputation
✅ Greater media attention
✅ Larger negotiating power with sponsors
✅ More premium event packaging
This translates into:
Higher average event revenue
Stronger partnership leverage
Scalable pricing models
Improved valuation metrics
🍿Popcorn is made…
So, where are we at with this? It’s been a day, already, and we’re starting out by quoting a bunch of NLRB based pro unionesque language…so…uh, no yeah…
Where’s this all goin’?
Have we solved the tragic injustice that is Professional Motocross-Supercross-SuperMotocross Racing? Have the multi-billionaires that run the game been brought to their knees?
only the cyclist, UFC fighters and any other major sport deserve to have athlete representation, but not motocross, why?
All I see in this thread are AI generated lists and paragraphs with no meaningful information. Need to hear about multiple top level riders signing on before I get my hopes up.
Nothing wrong with a conversation about the riders organizing in some form or fashion, but the assumptions and correlations in your post(s) are so asinine I didn't know where to start and instead went back to watching videos of gorillas punching each other in the nuts.
beginning of the end for the sport. It's already strayed WAY too far from the humble beginnings and freedom that made it so much fun and addicting for kids. Way too commercialized and too much time chasing big sponsors drives out the average rider. You wanna save the sport? Go back to basics like it was in the 1970's.
Pit Row
You forgot to add, its the consumer that pays more. Just like every majot sport, if it grows and players get what they deserve (sic), that cost ALWAYS, gets pushed to consumer.
People choose their occupation, nothing should be suprisng to the athlete.
That's a grandiose mission. Why not start with something smaller and more tangible to build momentum?
For example, working to end professional MX/SX racers needing to pay entry fees.
Where did I say riders…indeed, racers…don’t “deserve to have athlete representation”…?
What I made light of was your NLRB/Union and “make them employees” diatribe that I whole heartedly think is bordering on you being dead wrong and of a political mindset that I don’t agree with.
youre just circus performers to FELD. not sure if MX SPORTS is much better, given their censure of criticism and unnecessarily checkered record of track safety (hurricane mills tree, proximate hard objects, poorly trained flaggers, etc etc)
Irvin Feld and Kenneth Feld become the first father-son producers of The Greatest Show On Earth.
Juliette Feld Grossman, a third generation Feld, joins the company as Director of Strategic Planning. In 2016, she becomes Chief Operating Officer, developing and guiding the long-term, strategic vision for Feld Entertainment and all new business opportunities.
Lead by ChatGPT.
Gene, so who are the "Elite Riders" that you are claiming are part of this deal, or are you going to dodge the question again ?
I got a couple sentences in and realized this is Chat written and bailed.
Everyone’s asking who the “elite riders” are… there are none because this is a ChatGPT prompt, how are people not seeing this, lol.
For future reference, if you guys see:
- 🧱 A wall of text where a good third of it is bold
- 🔫 A lot of bulleted lists
- 💯 Too many emojis
…it’s probably ChatGPT.
Hearing from lots of supporters, my old Suzuki team manager Cole Gress commented “This is the perfect time to get this going. A collective voice from the riders will increase their safety and overall well being”
Drink up on the ChatGPT hater-aide , they’re expanding our power grid to support AI .
The 5 Most Influential Athletes in Player Union History
⸻
1. Curt Flood – MLB (The Architect of Modern Player Freedom)
Sport: Major League Baseball
Era: Late 1960s – 1970s
Impact Level: Foundational
What He Did:
Curt Flood refused a trade and challenged Major League Baseball’s “reserve clause,” which bound players to a team indefinitely.
How He Influenced Union Formation:
• Forced the legal review of player control systems
• Led directly to free agency in MLB
• Gave the MLB Players Association unprecedented leverage
• Established that players have legal agency over their careers
Outcome:
• The collapse of the reserve clause
• Players gained negotiating power
• Salaries rose exponentially
• MLB union became one of the most powerful in sports
Without Curt Flood, modern sports unions likely wouldn’t exist.
⸻
2. Muhammad Ali – Boxing (Athlete as Advocate & Catalyst)
Sport: Boxing
Era: 1960s – 1970s
Impact Level: Cultural & Strategic
What He Did:
Ali rejected institutions that sought to control his career and image and resisted mandatory military service, highlighting athlete autonomy.
How He Influenced Unions:
• Proved athletes could oppose powerful institutions
• Established moral and political athlete advocacy
• Inspired later professional associations to assert independence
• Made athlete voice socially acceptable
Outcome:
• Elevated athlete rights as mainstream discussion
• Encouraged unionization across multiple sports
• Reframed athlete power as legitimate
⸻
3. Spencer Haywood – NBA (The Legal Key That Opened the Door)
Sport: NBA
Era: Early 1970s
Impact Level: Structural
What He Did:
Challenged the NBA’s rule banning players under a certain age, creating precedent for early entry and worker autonomy.
How He Influenced Unions:
• Proved league rules can be legally challenged
• Strengthened the NBPA
• Enabled future CBAs
• Boosted union legitimacy
Outcome:
• Life-changing income changes for athletes
• Accelerated professionalization
• Strengthened players’ position in contract negotiations
⸻
4. Gene Upshaw – NFL (The Union Power Builder)
Sport: NFL
Role: Hall of Fame Player turned NFLPA Director
Era: 1970s–2000s
Impact Level: Institutional
What He Did:
After retiring, Upshaw led the NFL Players Association through strikes and lockouts that built the framework for today’s player rights.
How He Influenced Unions:
• Negotiated collective bargaining agreements
• Established pension plans
• Created free agency systems
• Developed health benefits and revenue-sharing
Outcome:
• Players’ salaries skyrocketed
• Long-term career protections became standard
• Union power became normalized
⸻
5. Billie Jean King – Tennis (The Blueprint for Equality & Collective Action)
Sport: Tennis
Era: 1960s–1970s
Impact Level: Transformational
What She Did:
Co-founded the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) and fought for equal pay.
How She Influenced Union Structures:
• Created the first athlete-driven association
• Forced organizers to meet collective demands
• Established modern athlete advocacy models
• Demonstrated negotiation power without violence or chaos
Outcome:
• Equal prize money
• Global recognition for athlete organizations
• A sustainable, independent tour model
• A template for future sport unions
Direct Lessons for Motocross Riders
These pioneers show the same pattern:
1. One courageous voice ignites movement
2. Legal challenge exposes power imbalance
3. Collective solidarity forms
4. Organization builds structure
5. Negotiation rewrites the financial model
6. Industry grows dramatically
Motocross has now reached this same moment.
The Proven Athlete Evolution Pattern
Across all major sports, the same cycle occurred:
1. Controlled Athletes
2. Single Voice Resistance
3. Collective Awareness
4. Organized Representation
5. Industry Negotiation
6. Institutional Change
7. Revenue Explosion
8. Cultural Legitimacy
God I hate Nvidia.
You mean “back alley”
Post a reply to: National Riders Association to Improve Safety, Fairness, and Long-Term Sustainability of the Sport