Nike, Hurley end sponsorship of US Open
Nike and Hurley have announced they are not renewing sponsorship of the US Open of Surfing in 2013 or thereafter. Nike and Hurley began their tenure of the Huntington Beach competition in 2008 and after five years believe it is time to focus their energy elsewhere.
In an interview with website shop-eat-surf.com Bob Hurley said it's time to, "invest into other aspects of our business, like a renewed athlete focus and new and exciting ways of connecting with millions of kids."
Although it was never a World Tour competition the US Open attracted many WT surfers mainly due to its prizemoney. Hurley and Nike voluntarily increased the cheque for first place from the ASP requirement of $20,000 to $100,000. This year the US Open attracted 30 of the Top 32 surfers.
Despite its popularity with pro surfers the US Open was more of a youth-oriented festival than a surfing competition. It featured skating, bands, art, and meretricious lifestyle branding as its attractions. Bob Hurley stated, "close to a million kids came to watch their heroes over the course of nine days" during the 2012 US Open.
The on-the-ground success of the US Open led to similar events happening elsewhere. Quiksilver countered with the Quiksilver Pro, New York, a World Tour competition that ran in 2011 for one year, and the Quiksilver Saquarema Prime, Brazil, a six star Prime competition.
When asked about the future of the Australian Open, which is sponsored by Hurley (and Billabong), Hurley said there were no immediate plans to cancel. "The Australian Open is a property we're proud of and plan on continuing with the event in the future."
Comments
Lulz. Who said this was happening months ago? Oh yeah, me.
Ben,
You figured out the TGP bogus bid for Bong was pulled yet?
Ahhhhh, yes, I'm the delusional one.
Wow! I posted this article literally 5 seconds ago. Refreshed the page and you're here.
Way to be watching us Brewser.
Yea. No will ever buy trunks. Boards. Or Wetsuits....
Or logon to surf related websites....
No one will ever surf in a competition. Ever again.
Heh.
Weird Ben. I read about this about 6 hours ago on Twitter. Way to keep up.
Comp surfing will never die. Just like Syncronized Swimming.
The Surf Industry as constructed for decades is. Burn away, muthafucka!
Who's Ben...?
And yeah, I also read about it on Twitter 6 hours ago but as it was night time here I didn't post it. As for the TPG bid we reported it immediately after it happened. Might've even beat you to it big fella.
Carry on...
Where is your post about TGP withdrawing from the trumped up bullshit rumor they would ever buy Bong? Dumbth posted it on the 20th. The day it happened.
Not a post but a comment. http://www.swellnet.com.au/news/3029-billabong-recovery-begins-with-disc...
See Thermalben, 5 days ago, the 20th September.
Dead heat.
Wow.
Sorry, I'm wrong.
Dumbth posted on the 20th which is the 21st here.
You lose.
We win.
Again.
So you consider a comment buried on a blog the same as a post? You do win.
Your journalism is second to none. Literally.
Thanks mate. Means so much coming from someone as esteemed as yourself.
Hey Rotty...I sorta like reading some of your work even tho I know secretly you idolise Andy Irons, so please tell us all your theory on Rip Curl being up for grabs.Please.
Nike another company with 3rd world sweat shops ... great core values just like the Curl. Don't know about Hurley where are their marketed products made?
Lets hope the arse falls out of more sponsorship deals for these mega wanking marketing events otherwise know as "professional" surfing contests. Professional my arse.
The world will be a better place for it happening and that's a fact.
Ando,
The story of Rip Curl, Neil Ridgeway, and Sarge will make their accounting fuck ups seem light. Only a matter of time. And it shouldn't be long. I don't idolize a single surfer though. I hated AI prior to his death. Then I started to take a more critical look at the Surf Industry. What I've been emailed and Skyped by dozens of insiders has led to my predictions and also to the future litigation that will finish pro surfing as we know it now. They remain Anon for now... but as the Big Corps fall, canaries are singing.
Floyd,
Amen, squared!
why do people talk to me? I don't give a shit and can't be intimidated by an inept, inbred and dead industry. Simple as that Stu and Ben. Just say fuck the sponsors and start asking questions that matter. Or just keep writing fluff. Kudos for at least publishing press releases about Corpos dying. More than most will do.
Cheers.
Go easy Rotty, we're talking to you because this is a forum, no need to respond rudely. And as far as AI goes your history of comments do indicate you idolise him and that you also actually really like pro surfing because you always referred to him as the 3 time world champ and if that was properly documented, indeed you are saying and legitimising him and the organisation as the 3 time ASP world champion. I'll stop short of saying you are also legitimising the industry/sponsors because I think you don't actually do that and I also think maybe some of your vitriol relating to these corporations has merit -
Rotty is thermal ben....its a plot right from the start!!
The Quote , " Pop shall eat itself " , comes to mind to sum up the state of the " Art " ......
And since you so often comment on this Rotty .... That includes you ....
When there is nothing left , what will you have to comment on !!!!! ?
Long ago, a very astute man by the name of Tom had an explanation for pilled up drunks like this rottkamp fellow, who for some strange reason, sports the pervert goggles quite obsessively over on his twitty kitty page.
“The moment a person forms a theory, his imagination sees in every object only the traits which favor that theory".
Nike would have a pretty good chance of taking the most popular surf brand in the future imo . I would also say they are pretty sneaky sharing a contest with Hurley .They have the money and power and i bet they will make boards soon. If Nike put time and money into wave machines i would were there china made gear all day but until then i will get my no name gear from big W .
Both companies understand which way the wind will be blowing (and it ain't offshore) soon all around the world. Protect your spare change receptacles - piggy banks.
Good luck in the coming world economy everyone.
Rottmouth, you portray your self as someone who doesnt give a shit about the surf industry but you seem to devote alot of your time talking crap about it. i just looked at you twitter account and all you seem to talk about is whats happening in the surf industry. for someone who doesnt give a fuck about something, why spend so much time talking/writing about it? im a bit confused...
Jacksurferjohns,
At what point during your reading of my Twitter timeline or blog did you miss the 2.1 million times I stated how much I wanted to see the Surf Industry as we know it burnt to the ground?
What rises in its place? I give not a single fuck unless it covers up Sarge's molestation (as Shea Lopez said and Kelly Slater reiterated), blatantly lies about the death / Dengue and a 3 time WT champ (crowned by an organization controlled by 3 dying / dead corporations), or fleeces investors like Enron (see Quiksilver investigation).
My massive, huge, behemoth agenda that egomaniacs like Freeride76 project is a fabrication of their own nightmares. Nothing more. Nothing less.
Similar to the space betwixt his ears.
So sit back and watch the big boys play. r read the recaps here.
Your choice.
Rotty, right up to the last line where you outright abuse Freeride, you were at least civil in your blog, and if you'd have refrained from abusing Freeride, right now you would feel better about yourself, but you didn't...you can tho, try harder!
I know you'll be logged into quick pro france and you'll reminiss about 3 time ASP world champ when he won some years ago
Can you respond with a simple summary of what the hell the Enron quik investigation is about - but keep it simple please. thanks in advance.