NPC & Pro League Competition Committee created after investigation.
The full-blown investigation into the Jim Manion’s NPC and IFBB Professional League by the Washington Post, has forced them to create a committee.
Serious allegations have been made towards J.M. Manion, the NPC and Pro League. The Washington Post published various articles with several female athletes coming forward with allegations of sexual exploitation.
Jim Manion and Tyler Manion refused to make a public statement about the articles by the Washington Post. At the same time, the Manion’s sent an email to their promoters denying any of the allegations, by trying to defuse the situation.
In another email sent to athletes, promoters and sponsors, Jim and Tyler Manion announced that they are creating a the IFBB Pro League Competition Committee.
The letter indicates the Jim and Tyler Manion had “many conversations” over the past two weeks with various constituents within across industry, such as competitors, promoters, sponsors, and the media who are “committed to covering their industry.”
The letter already suggests that Jim and Tyler Manion allegedly have a preferred number of media outlets that are 100% dedicated to their federations, the NPC and IFBB Pro League.
A number of media outlets received this letter, Evolutionofbodybuilding.net was excluded, but still managed to receive a copy of the letter from its reliable sources.
Media outlets that solely support the NPC and Pro League keep silent
Evolutionofbodybuilding.net, being one of the leading media outlets in the bodybuilding and fitness industry, did not receive this email, meaning this site is allegedly not viewed as an outlet that is “committed to covering their industry” by the Manion’s.
It has been two weeks since the first article was published by the Washington Post, revealing an investigation into alleged sexual exploitation within the NPC and Pro League.
In the two weeks after the article was published in print form and on the internet, very few bodybuilding and fitness media outlets covered this investigation.
Sites and such as Muscular Development, Fitness Volt and various Instagram channels that are 100% dedicated to the NPC and IFBB Professional League, refrained from covering the investigation.
On Muscular Development’s forum, a member allegedly published a post about the investigation, but it was removed instantly by the moderators, keeping any articles about the NPC and Pro League investigation under the carpet.
A popular podcast that was the first to cover the investigation was Nick Trigili’s Bodybuilding & BS. Nick discussed the investigation in great detail.
Unfortunately, the rest of the channels on YouTube, refrained from discussing the investigation. Dave Palumbo was an exception, as he discussed the investigation in detail on a number of his shows with his guests.
The actions by these media outlets prove that the Manion’s allegedly have a big influence on them, forcing them to keep silent, even if they believe that they should discuss the situation.
The IFBB Professional League Competition Committee
The Washington Post is alleged to be publishing 6-10 articles in the coming weeks, connected to their investigation of the NPC and IFBB Professional League.
Facing increased pressure from promoters, athletes and potential sponsors, Jim and Tyler Manion, decided to create the IFBB Pro League Competition Committee.
With a potential lawsuit by attorney Lisa Bloom, the Manion’s have been pressured take drastic decisions.
While Jim and Tyler Manion already made it clear that they are denying the serious allegations against their company, they contradict themselves in the latest letter they sent to athletes, promoters and sponsors.
In their latest letter, the Manion’s indicate that they are “discussing some of the challenges affecting our sport right now”, basically admitting that allegedly they are worried about the current investigation.
The Manion’s continue by saying, “Considering these conversations, and our collective goal to ensure our industry remains healthy for future generations“, is more evidence that the Manion’s are admitting that allegedly they know something is wrong within the NPC and Pro League.
The Manion’s have selected former Olympia Weekend promoter Robin Chang, to put together this new committee.
At the moment, Robin Chang holds the position of International Director of the IFBB Pro League. In the past few months, Chang has settled in Europe, controlling all events taking place Italy with another partner, Barbara Bagnuolo, replacing former Italian promoter Gian Enrico Pica.
Robin Chang also had a stint with Dwayne Johnson’s Athleticon, failing to put together the event after facing a number of challenges. After his employment basically ended with Athleticon, Chang went back to the NPC.
While many would expect the Manion’s to start from scratch, and bring in some new faces into the picture for the new committee, they made the crucial mistake of looking to the old guard for help.
In his former job as promoter of the Olympia Weekend, Robin Chang ran the show with an iron fist. The media were not happy with the situation, as the moment they made some constructive criticism about the event, on a number of occasions, they would be black listed as media from Olympia events.
With Robin Chang at the helm, there is a great chance that no new faces will be selected for the IFBB Pro League Competition Committee, meaning the Manion’s will not improve their situation.
Will athletes that want to come forward revealing sensitive information?
Will athletes feel comfortable speaking to the people that are already in high positions within the NPC and Pro League?
If an athlete comes forward with allegations against a prominent figure in the NPC and Pro League, will the powers that be take action?
Will the new IFBB Pro League Competition Committee members be revealed?
The goal of this committee is to help the NPC and IFBB Professional League start from scratch, and hopefully get rid of the bad people within their industry. As it looks, nothing will allegedly change.
Sandy Williamson women’s representative since 2005
IFBB Professional League head judge, Sandy Williamson, has apparently been the women’s representative since 2005.
In the letter sent to athletes, promoters, sponsors and selected media, it states that “The organization has had a women’s representative, Sandy Williamson, dedicated to supporting your needs and concerns since 2005. Sandy hosts annual seminars for women competitors and remains a resource for any of your questions or concerns.”
Just as many athletes claimed the they did not know Bob Cicherillo is the “Athletes Rep”, a large number of athletes had no idea Sandy was the “Athletes Rep” for female athletes.
While the Manion’s now confirm that Sandy has been at the helm since 2005, Evolutionofbodybuilding.net would like a number of questions answered.
Have any female athletes come forward to Sandy Williamson about any sex abuse allegations in the last 17 years when Sandy was in charge?
Have any reports been made against high-profile judges or promoters in the last 17 years? Did Sandy take action against the guilty party?
To: All registered IFBB Pro League competitors
From: Jim and Tyler Manion
Subject: IFBB Pro League Competition Committee
We have had many conversations over the past two weeks with various constituents across our industry – competitors, event promoters, sponsors and partners, the media who are committed to covering our industry, and members of the IFBB Pro League staff – and are grateful for the time with each of you discussing some of the challenges affecting our sport right now.
Considering these conversations, and our collective goal to ensure our industry remains healthy for future generations and maintains the integrity that has helped it to grow to its current levels, we are establishing the IFBB Pro League Competition Committee.
Robin Chang, International Director of the IFBB Pro League, will be tasked with assembling the committee members. He will help to guide the selection process to ensure we build a team of diverse and trusted representatives with a collective interest in ensuring the continued health and integrity of our competitions and our industry.
Rest assured; this is not an effort we are taking lightly. While we are used to challenges to our industry and questions about what we all do and how we do it, recent conversations have underscored the need to collaboratively chart a path forward.
In addition, while open lines of communication have always been available, we want to make sure that those lines are made clear to all regarding complaints, questions, or concerns regarding your experiences:
EMAIL: info@ifbb-proleague.com
The organization has had a women’s representative, Sandy Williamson, dedicated to supporting your needs and concerns since 2005. Sandy hosts annual seminars for women competitors and remains a resource for any of your questions or concerns. You can contact her at sandyonsandylane@gmail.com.
As always, we welcome your feedback on all aspects of your experience and how we can best support it. We address all concerns raised with the utmost care and concern and ensure that everyone’s privacy is protected.
Thank You,
Jim and Tyler Manion
