WSL Announces New CEO Ryan Crosby

World Surf League
Swellnet Dispatch

LOS ANGELES, Calif., USA (Thursday, April 11, 2024) – The World Surf League (WSL) announces the appointment of Ryan Crosby as its new Chief Executive Officer effective May 13, 2024.  A proven leader with a career spanning more than two decades in marketing and technology, Crosby brings a wealth of experience and a deep-rooted passion for fostering brand love to professional surfing.

Crosby comes to the WSL from Riot Games where he served as the President of Publishing. There, he led the global product management, marketing and community teams that engaged hundreds of millions of gamers all over the world. His tenure at Riot Games, a leading force in the gaming industry, is marked by authentic leadership and strategic focus.

Prior to his role at Riot Games, Crosby held prominent positions managing and building brands such as Call of Duty, Hulu, Xbox, and Netflix, demonstrating his ability to drive creativity and fan engagement in the digital landscape.

"I am deeply honored to join the World Surf League family," said Ryan Crosby. "What I love about surfing is that it’s an incredible competitive sport, but it’s also much more than that. It’s a way of life, a passion, and a deeply committed global community. I am excited to leverage my experience to elevate the WSL brand, deepen our connection with fans, and continue building something that surfers can be proud of."

Crosby's appointment follows an extensive search process aimed at identifying a leader who shares the WSL's dedication to the sport of surfing. His enthusiasm for the ocean and commitment to fostering a sense of community aligns with the WSL's core values.

"We are thrilled to welcome Ryan Crosby as the new CEO of the World Surf League," said Dirk Ziff, WSL Principal Investor and Board Member. "Ryan's exceptional track record across some of the most important media platforms, his authentic, approachable manner, and his genuine passion for surfing make him a great fit to lead the WSL into its next chapter of growth and innovation."

In addition to his professional endeavors, Crosby is an avid supporter of environmental conservation efforts, notably collaborating with organizations like the Surfrider Foundation to protect our oceans and coastlines. His personal connection to surfing underscores his dedication to preserving the natural environments that serve as the backdrop for the sport's most iconic moments.

As he embarks on this new journey with the WSL, Crosby remains committed to championing the world’s best surfers, further developing the sport of competitive surfing, and elevating the elite athletes across the WSL’s tours and competitions.

Comments

freeride76's picture
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freeride76 Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 5:27am

Gamer.

"Crosby brings a wealth of experience and a deep-rooted passion for fostering brand love to professional surfing."

??????

waxyfeet's picture
waxyfeet's picture
waxyfeet Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 1:22pm

As a gamer, I can provide some context:
Riot games is responsible for League of legends, which has a playerbase of 150million, with prize pools of 2million+ for tournaments. Peak viewership numbers ( not fake BS like WSL reports on) tops 6.5 million concurrent viewers. This is a game that came out in 2009.

Valorant, a more recent game has these kind of stats
https://sullygnome.com/game/Valorant
https://tracker.gg/valorant/population

If anything, he understands streaming and viewership.

tomwilson81's picture
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tomwilson81 Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 3:52pm

and pay-to-play business models no doubt

surf.rat's picture
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surf.rat Monday, 15 Apr 2024 at 7:51pm

He may have impressive number as a CEO in the gaming industry but.....
Surfing is NOT gaming.
Anyone with an electronic device can game. That's why gaming is so popular around the world.
Only people with money (who can swim) and live near an ocean can surf. That is a tiny portion of the humans on this planet.
I can't think of two more unrelated pastimes/endeavors on this planet to be honest.
(I also work in the gaming industry)

waxyfeet's picture
waxyfeet's picture
waxyfeet Tuesday, 16 Apr 2024 at 9:26am

I didn't make an argument for him, only provided context as to the possible thinking behind hiring someone like him.

The 'core' knows that the product is fundamentally broken at this point, and what they're selling no one wants to watch.

The only point I disagree on, is the connection to participation and watching of an activity. how many here play rugby / football / tennis / road cycling / Regularly beats people to shit in a pub brawl (UFC).

you don't need participation to make a product interesting to watch.

surf.rat's picture
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surf.rat Wednesday, 17 Apr 2024 at 6:17am

@waxyfeet. Good points
"you don't need participation to make a product interesting to watch."
That is true but there is big difference between something that's interesting to watch as opposed to something you are passionate about.
I think most Australians have played rugby, soccer, tennis, etc as kids so they know how to relate to it, even if they don't do it anymore.
I feel it's the passion, that turns you into a proper fan of anything, and it's hard to be passionate about something you have never tried.

Lanky Dean's picture
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Lanky Dean Saturday, 13 Apr 2024 at 2:38am

Feel this move would make way more sense if Ziff , pivoted and went into gaming.....
Not the other way where we drag this gamer into surfing.
I can see absolutely nothing in common here.
Nothing nada zilch.

Island Bay's picture
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Island Bay Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 5:38am

Practically Bugs' twin! We're so lucky to have him.

Mexican's picture
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Mexican Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 7:58am

Lol

Bustard's picture
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Bustard Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 5:41am

Does he mean Sega’s California games…. Loved getting barrelled on that game…. When I was 12

sean killen's picture
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sean killen Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 5:47am

Hooray..look and sounds like a typical cheese ball ..drop the esky ( 10pt ) and win some games !!!!!

freeride76's picture
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freeride76 Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 5:47am

Kinda feels like an Elo 2.0.

Anyhow, best of British Ryan.

simba's picture
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simba Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 5:53am

good luck Ryan....ya going to need it....but also sounds like Dirk isnt giving up so maybe things will change for the better ........best surfers in the best waves = dream tour...........i heard that somewhere

Bustard's picture
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Bustard Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 5:58am

Not opposed to diversifying the management mindset by bringing in a non core surfer type of person. Didn’t work so much for Elo but at least they tried some new stuff. Was never going to be jmd

theolderIgetthebetterIwas's picture
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theolderIgetthe... Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 6:12am

Funny old WSL - Doesn't actually say whether he is a surfer or not

...personal connection to surfing... in corporate speak - that can mean anything

Being a surfer or not actually does matter.. in this instance

More tubes please's picture
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More tubes please Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 6:39am

Not a chance in hell he surfs. Probably saw a clip of surfing on YouTube once and leveraged that into a job.

Bustard's picture
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Bustard Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 7:41am

Disagree. I want the sport to evolve, evolution doesnt come by employing Bugs as the captain

Solitude's picture
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Solitude Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 7:51am

Evolve to what?
It’s evolving alright, but in which direction….

Giovanni's picture
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Giovanni Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 9:22am

Straight into the toilet?

Hoodie's picture
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Hoodie Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 9:08pm

I wonder if he's ever been on a surf trip? Car down the coast, boat in the Ments or even been to the beach. God help the WSL and it's direction.

backyard's picture
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backyard Saturday, 13 Apr 2024 at 1:54pm

That would be a no. But he is an "authentic leader", I can think of plenty of those who have helped fuck up this world.

Dannon's picture
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Dannon Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 6:21am

What a fuckin' Kook.

Sprout's picture
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Sprout Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 8:08am

Haha, perfect.

Gowsa's picture
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Gowsa Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 9:32am

Best comment all year !

Blingas's picture
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Blingas Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 9:42am

Dropped my breakfast. Spot on

farkenkook's picture
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farkenkook Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 2:36pm

I concur

More tubes please's picture
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More tubes please Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 6:44am

I hate to judge a book by its cover, but this guy does not look like he could turn this thing around.
I really get the feeling old Ziffy thinks surfers are just a bunch of drop kicks, judging by the CEO’s he’s hired since he took the reins. After the disaster that was Elo, could he not give one legit surfer the chance to run the wozzle and lift it out of its funk?
Be interested to hear why it took so long to fill the position, maybe all of the best candidates said no.

Surfalot67's picture
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Surfalot67 Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 6:59am

"genuine passion for surfing"
"personal connection to surfing"
"avid supporter of environmental conservation"

Here we go again, just another corporate greenwashing kook-lord

Giovanni's picture
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Giovanni Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 9:23am

✔︎

goofyfoot's picture
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goofyfoot Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 7:59am

So basically Elo again eh

frog's picture
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frog Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 8:21am

He is in for a shock.

"engaged hundreds of millions of gamers all over the world"

The gaming industry can micromanage every little visual and reward progression nuance in the interactive experience and tweak things based on massive amounts of data to build immersion and addiction.

A world away from trying to hype up 3ft onshore Bells.

Gamers participate - they don't just passively observe a contest.

Maybe he spun some vision of an AI future where we can put our avatar-self into the line up to surf in heats alongside Medina and JJ?

Or maybe once big numbers like "hundreds of millions of gamers" got mentioned in the interview Ziff just frothed. Sort of sounded like Elo's pitch to lead the WSL into being a media entertainment powerhouse but on steroids and with a futuristic tech angle. Hundreds of millions of gamers (soon to be those very annoying surfies) glued to screens 15 hours a day. Maybe the pitch was to have us all twiddling some WSL joystick and betting live on whether Medina lands the air ! Exciting times.

Ziff been stiffed?

Alex Papas's picture
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Alex Papas Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 12:26pm

though i generally agree with the rest of your comment, just wanting to be a bit nitpicky and chime in with: esports competitors are among the highest paid athletes (per competition, and noting that athlete is an odd descriptor) in sports, and the viewership that the bigger competitions bring in is insane. like mind-blowing numbers of viewers. though i think there's an advantage there where the people who are watching videogames as sport are usually already on the same device they would use to engage in that sport. not like we really take a break out the back during a surf session to watch a couple mins of a heat haha

frog's picture
frog's picture
frog Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 2:02pm

You are correct. Forgot about that side of gaming.

Surfing could replicate intense interest occasionally.

Imagine a contest in the last shippies swell or big cloudbreak day? That would be gripping.

But that is just an occasional unicorn sighting. Not a tour or a viable business.

Gaming is imagine something and then build it. Anything is possible. Just write the code.

A huge multi billion dollar wave pool with 8 foot waves and kirra or a slab configuration at their controllers fingertips might come close.

Ziff, go big. It is only money.

freeride76's picture
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freeride76 Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 8:11am

I'd bet my 6'6" Desert Storm this guy didn't even know pro surfing existed until very recently.

And has zero clue about it.

Look at the timeline.

When did he apply for the job?

If he was interested and knew about pro surfing he would have applied when the position became vacant in July 23.

Surfalot67's picture
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Surfalot67 Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 8:22am

Can't wait to hear Turdpell - "Always great to have our CEO in the booth" and have this clueless kook dribble on about nothing

mick66's picture
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mick66 Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 8:56am

Turpel will never go away. He's so corporate that no self-respecting CEO would ever think of giving him the boot. Looking forward to tuning in by mistake to the 2054 WSL Beijing Happy Lucky Wave Pool to hear him droning on.
"So great to have the GOAT with us in the booth, after his narrow loss in the elimination round. Kelly, you're 82 but still ripping better than most 70 year old surfers. I know you never use injuries as an excuse, but we all know your sciatica has been acting up. Anyway, such an honor...."

fitzroy-21's picture
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fitzroy-21 Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 10:05am

Hahahaha, I just read that with Turpel's whiney voice.

Bustard's picture
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Bustard Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 8:27am

Im buying stock in Shiseido if a few million pasty white gamers are gonna start surfing.

mick66's picture
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mick66 Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 8:41am

That's classic. Nicely done

waxyfeet's picture
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waxyfeet Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 3:04pm

Some of us have been surfing and gaming since the start, Bustard ;)

burleigh's picture
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burleigh Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 8:15am

Sounds like he needed a new job:

Last December, Riot Games announced it was settling the suit for $100 million. The company will pay $80 million to members of the class-action suit and approximately $20 million toward plaintiffs' legal fees. A judge approved the settlement July 25 and the case is still awaiting final approval from the court

crg's picture
crg's picture
crg Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 8:20am

“A proven leader with a career spanning more than two decades in marketing and technology”

All we need to know right there about the direction Ziff is taking surfing…

Fail.

Giovanni's picture
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Giovanni Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 9:24am

✔︎

Blingas's picture
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Blingas Saturday, 13 Apr 2024 at 6:06pm

Sounds a little like scomo’s resume

McQuartzie's picture
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McQuartzie Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 8:33am

This guy looks like he is allergic to salt water

freeride76's picture
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freeride76 Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 8:35am

Serial corporate climber- this looks like a sideways or downwards step for him.

I give him 18mths.

Le_Reynard's picture
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Le_Reynard Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 1:03pm

at most

Itsmemickyb's picture
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Itsmemickyb Saturday, 13 Apr 2024 at 6:30am

haha sideways then go into formula 1 later, still have to do a good job tho

Itsmemickyb's picture
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Itsmemickyb Saturday, 13 Apr 2024 at 6:33am

or red bull actually

flollo's picture
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flollo Monday, 15 Apr 2024 at 11:10pm

Yep. Sounds like a massive downgrade.

southernraw's picture
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southernraw Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 8:36am

Get fuuckkkkkkkkked!!
Same shit different shovel.

joeyjojo's picture
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joeyjojo Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 8:39am

Personally , i think if he doesn't get drunk during events and make inappropriate comments & advances towards the lady folk like the other guy, he should do OK!

Give the new guy some support and the public might get what they want to see ! > i doubt it; but the dude plays "Call of Duty" and ill put money on it that he's called someone "bro" or "Broseph" in his lifetime.. ;)

https://www.riotgames.com/en/who-we-are/riot-games-leadership/ryan-crosby

tomdo's picture
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tomdo Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 8:44am

From the Surfrider Foundation website, where Crosby is a board member:

“He loves the ocean, but didn't always have easy access to it given that he was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA, and studied at the University of Arizona. He fell in love with surfing when he moved to Venice Beach after graduation and is making up for lost time with international surf trips whenever possible. He currently lives in Mar Vista, CA, with his wife Caroline.”

https://www.surfrider.org/our-team/board/ryan-crosby

mpeachy's picture
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mpeachy Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 8:49am

Haha yeah so he surfs like Zuckerberg surfs

wally's picture
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wally Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 8:47am

He would have seen the product he has to sell on yesterday’s Margaret River telecast. Good luck with that mate.

pjbyron's picture
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pjbyron Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 8:50am
mpeachy's picture
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mpeachy Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 8:50am

Looks like he was the marketing director for Netflix. Surfing getting a channel? Reckon if they bundled all the surfing and bodyboarding events into a channel they could make it work?

peabo's picture
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peabo Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 9:24am

What bodyboarding events?

mpeachy's picture
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mpeachy Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 9:27am

Pretty sure there's still a world tour, just not under the WSL umbrella. They could buy that for about a dollar to get some more content.

gingeryeti's picture
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gingeryeti Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 1:44pm

Tour has gone to shit besides El Fronton. However the Shark Island Challenge looks like it will be a hoot.

Roker's picture
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Roker Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 9:51am

Yeah good call. That’s the gig.

Not sure it’s exactly that, but it’s something like that. Ziff would’ve long ago figured out that the comps - essential as it is to keep ‘em on life support - will never be a going concern.

Elo - give him credit - was tireless in prosecuting his quest to build a ‘global media company’. He hurled mega mounds of mud at the wall, but couldn’t get anything to stick. Probably the main reason he got the flick.

The hope will be that this dude will ink the Netflix deal or whatever and succeed where Elo couldn’t. Success - while paying due deference to the shibboleths of ‘next chapter of growth and innovation’ etc - now probably counts as less the end of a global media powerhouse but whatever gets the Woz in or close enough to the black.

“Crosby brings a wealth of experience and a deep-rooted passion for fostering brand love to professional surfing.”

Wow. That one stood out for me too. What a ripper.

I imagine whoever produces these corpo press releases doesn’t care how incomprehensible they are to Joe Public. Nor how much this sorta language pisses us off. Squarely aimed at a narrow target audience of the C suite merry-go-round class, tech bro investors and sovereign wealth funded sheiks I’d guess.

Tooold2bakook's picture
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Tooold2bakook Saturday, 13 Apr 2024 at 8:34pm

Re signing with big names, I think elo did alright. All that Apple TV stuff. Plus Seven is now showing the championship, challenger and qualifying series.

What Elo, or anyone else, couldn't do is make surfing interesting to watch.

No one cracked that nut and I am not sure what Crosby could bring from gaming that would help.

We'll see

southernraw's picture
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southernraw Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 8:53am

In his first interview with Turpel "So Elo 2.0, tell me, with your deep roots in surf culture, what do you think about the legacy of A.I?"
Gaming guy " I think A.I has a long way to go but i'm planning on shifting the final 5 to Abu Dhabi for the next 25 years and replacing the surfboard riders with robots.".

Giovanni's picture
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Giovanni Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 9:16am

This doesn't seem improbable, which is sad. They'll never get it right.

iamlegend's picture
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iamlegend Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 8:56am

Here I was thinking Keiran Perrow would take the top job, but no they give it to a gamer.

frog's picture
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frog Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 9:08am

They should take him for a tow session at big Nazare as part of his induction.

Essential for team building and surf cred ....

andy-mac's picture
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andy-mac Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 9:11am

Fark, here we go again.
Hey wsl, get a surfer and fix up the tour.
I was done at Margs the day before comp started and the vibe was unreal, such a great 'sport' and deserves to be run properly by surfers for surfers.

spinafex's picture
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spinafex Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 9:25am

They'll never get non-surfers interested in surfing comps. The only really viable direction to expand WSL's audience is adult learners - any warm water destination with good wifi is swarming with them and soon there will be colonies of them around wave pools.

I also think they should pivot the pool experience to a multi-board sports champion contest concept. i.e Contestants snowboard half pipes, skate ramps and ride pool waves. That way they might grab audiences from the other "codes"

MidWestMonger's picture
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MidWestMonger Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 9:28am

First gamer decision - if Kelly gets cut. Oh, he's still got 3 lives left.

freeride76's picture
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freeride76 Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 9:59am

ahahahahah

blitz's picture
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blitz Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 9:31am

I think we were all hoping this was gonna be someone from the rank and file (or at least someone who had something to do with surfing...once) ziffy's ability to not read the room on this one is staggering. Any last chance the wozzle and its product could be saved are clearly gone on this one....
Doesn't look like this guy could run a shit throwing contest....
Anyway all the the best of luck to you sir!

Justonemore's picture
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Justonemore Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 9:58am

Another joker. Start tour at trestles, then KS wave pool, then over to Dubai wave Centre then half season cut. Novelty event in Vagas glitter strip with F1 and Taylor Swift entertaining the frothing surfing fans. Then Finals Day in an exotic location on top of Trump Tower Wave Resort. Please feel free to fill in any details i have missed.

peabo's picture
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peabo Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 12:21pm

They can't afford Taylor Swift LOL

suchas's picture
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suchas Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 10:03am

And JMD ?

suchas's picture
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suchas Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 10:05am

From WSL-non surfer- no sweat“ Who we look for
We seek innovators, entrepreneurs, disruptors and collaborators who are passionate about their craft. We are an international team comprised of individuals who together are committed to excellence in everything we do. Our connection to the ocean –as our playground and our stadium – fosters an eco-centric mindset. We are a start-up in spirit, which requires agility in risk taking, failing fast and applying new learning. Not a surfer? No sweat! We just want the best and brightest.”

Standingleft's picture
Standingleft's picture
Standingleft Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 10:16am

Crozo's got plans, he's a real entrepreneur with a massive vision for global surf domination, beginning with
Stoke-coin
Trade your froth
Yes you heard it here first

wally's picture
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wally Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 10:16am

I don’t think you need a surfer to run the WSL. The WSL has people who know all about surfing. He can and will ask. The challenge with pro surfing is running it and not losing a motza.

Everyone at the WSL desperately wants to run the comps in great waves. If that was achievable and affordable, then they would be doing it.

freeride76's picture
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freeride76 Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 10:54am

"Everyone at the WSL desperately wants to run the comps in great waves. "

I used to think that, but evidence points against that.

RockyIsland's picture
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RockyIsland Monday, 15 Apr 2024 at 5:11pm

You need to write a book FR about how Surfers and the Surfing industry lost control of the Sport of Kings.
Where did it all start going wrong?

thermalben's picture
thermalben's picture
thermalben Monday, 15 Apr 2024 at 5:22pm

Phil Jarratt wrote it 14 years ago.

https://www.philjarratt.com/salt-and-suits

RockyIsland's picture
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RockyIsland Monday, 15 Apr 2024 at 7:01pm

Cheers, I had Better read it then though a second updated edition sound appropriate in the current climate.

Terminal's picture
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Terminal Monday, 15 Apr 2024 at 7:24pm

The sequel could be called "Suits and Suits", as that's all there is now.

stunet's picture
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stunet Monday, 15 Apr 2024 at 7:28pm

Ryan Scanlon disagrees. Brian Cregan and Phil Macca too.

Terminal's picture
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Terminal Monday, 15 Apr 2024 at 8:12pm

Yeah sorry fellas. Only been buying O&E hardware for years and Need more recently for those reasons.

Edit: customer service with Need as good as it gets too

stunet's picture
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stunet Monday, 15 Apr 2024 at 7:26pm

You oughta read it. In its own way, it's an extremely enjoyable book.

After SurfStitch imploded I mentioned to Phil he should consider an updated addition, and the Woz adds yet more grist to his mill.

Carn Phil.

hamishbro's picture
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hamishbro Saturday, 4 May 2024 at 3:41pm

Yeah it’s a bloody good read. Eye opening too how there was basically this “Australian invasion” into the surf industry which had started in California but the radical mongrelised core products with the edgy art built by the Oz brands took off there the 80s and then conquered the world (via Quik’s US licensing). And to think the founders of two of the biggest brands, Quik and Rip, were basically in business together in Torquay way back at the start in the late 60s, when crew were just trying to figure out how to fund their surfing habit year round.

belly's picture
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belly Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 11:13am

Yep, I had a similar thought that the surfers will still be running it. 'Leading from behind' so to speak.

I do think there are commercial and logistics realities effecting the schedule, no Indonesia comp for e.g. (and don't get me started on the its pumping at X when the comp is at Y, running an unconstrained schedule is fairy land until we reach the Star Trek age ha ha).

But overall I'm meh as long as it remains free on You Tube. Street League Skateboarding is free on YT, x-games is pay per view so I reckon there's always a risk there.

Plenty of loud voices on how it should be run but no capital coming to do it differently, gets a bit boring IMO.

blitz's picture
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blitz Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 11:48am

Sorry Wally... beg to differ there mate. A surfer to run it is exactly what they need. The last two knobs that head it up (Kleinshmidt and Elo) were suits and look where its gone... The one before that...Bugs (legend) created the dream tour. I wish he could come back and fix it all!

wally's picture
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wally Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 12:49pm

Bugs did a great job. It was his vision to move the events to the best surf spots. He convinced the big surf brands, who paid for everything, not to care if there was only 3 people on the beach watching. They are going be making a webcast and the audience will be watching on the internet.

The events were actually paid for and run by the big surf brand sponsoring the event.

Unfortunately, the big surf brands lost interest in paying the millions of dollars required for them to run each event. It’s a very different financial landscape now.

Stamos's picture
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Stamos Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 12:44pm

If they desperately wanted to run comps in good waves, they wouldn't be having the Finals at Trestles. They wouldn't have cut waiting periods.

The right formula for a Would Tour already existed. None of the decisions that they've made over the last say decade has moved towards getting better waves for comps.

blackers's picture
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blackers Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 11:02am

He looks very capable of polishing the turd that is the current form of WSL. May even roll it in glitter.

vicbloke's picture
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vicbloke Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 11:16am

if his cheesy corporate profile photo is any gauge on what may transpire then we are in for another 2 years of WTF!

basesix's picture
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basesix Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 1:56pm

I know, I can't think what pixar character ry is in that pic... something from cars?
maybe he has another side? his other publicity pic has a manscaped-pete-murray vibe:
https://www.riotgames.com/en/news/riot-games-elevates-ryan-crosby-to-pre...

Andrew P's picture
Andrew P's picture
Andrew P Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 11:23am

Its the veneers that do it for me. Dude looks as trustworthy as a used car salesman peddling snake oil. I'd be looking for someone missing a tooth or two (and a chunk cut out of their nose from melanoma) to run the show if i was Artie Ziff (Waterman of the Year 2018)

Terminal's picture
Terminal's picture
Terminal Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 11:46am

Popcorn in the microwave. Man Zippo must be bummed that their admin dramas generate more interest than the surfing among the surf community. Pretty tell tale sign. Any news is good news, though. Who knows, maybe this dude might listen to the target audience, maybe he's the chosen one to nuke pro surfing COD style and give it a clean slate.

Six board quiver's picture
Six board quiver's picture
Six board quiver Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 12:29pm

You raise a good point. What is the WSL target audience? It appears that they're chasing next gen tik toker's and not aging core lords like us. Thankfully surfing transcends competition.

vicbloke's picture
vicbloke's picture
vicbloke Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 2:44pm

if they really wanted to chase the tikkies they should hold every event at Canguu

Terminal's picture
Terminal's picture
Terminal Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 6:47pm

But that's the thing, trying to broaden surfing's audience to non-surfers is like trying to get a non-gamer to watch and understand League of Legends - they don't know what the f$&k is going on. Hell, I am a gamer and with League of Legends I don't know what the f$&k is going on!

Like a non-surfer could differentiate and appreciate perfect style like Curren to the derivative mashup of .............., or the variation in difficulty of maneuvers (often subtle) - they really can't tell the difference without commentators constantly explaining it (maybe they might notice the flailing arms of ..............). As an aside, has anyone else noticed the constant explaining of everything? Do you hear footy commentators explaining? Speaks volumes in of itself if you have to explain someone's entertainment to them.

Anyhoo, WSL are well and truly down the same path of the big three rag traders when they attempted the same thing back in the 90s and alienated their core customer base, and we all know how that went.....

gromnuggets's picture
gromnuggets's picture
gromnuggets Sunday, 14 Apr 2024 at 1:04pm

Have been making lots of comparisons to footy commentary lately Terminal. The over explaining is definitely one of them that stands out, but also what's gotten to me lately is the constant requirement of the whole commentary team to be in agreement with each others opinion about a wave/surfer/situation. There's no debate or meaningful discussion amongst the commentary team, its just "Oh yes, absolutely I agree... expand".

Also, footy commentators are always critical of referees decisions, but in a way that humanises their role in the sport. I feel like the WSL judges are made out to be the all powerful voice on deciding what is good and bad and they are never questioned during the broadcast. For me, I think the product would be so much better with some honest commentary that reflects what most of us think anyway.

basesix's picture
basesix's picture
basesix Sunday, 14 Apr 2024 at 1:31pm

I reckon they have been more openly puzzled by some scores lately.

but I agree, it has been commented on here that surfing commentary could learn a lot from cricket, where, if there's nothing interesting happening, let it breathe, and let the audience relax; let a story come organically to you or your guest commentator. they're looking at the ocean ffs, where better to just be calm and let some silence reign? do they really think people will stop watching if they stopped saying 'so cool' 'so fun' and 'clutch', like a nervous step-parent hosting a kids party?

gromnuggets's picture
gromnuggets's picture
gromnuggets Sunday, 14 Apr 2024 at 1:43pm

Definitely, the questioning with the rio/griff heat especially was a breathe of fresh air.

The cricket commentary is a good call also, that silent space is always so good for just a small comment which can let the audience think or chuckle to themselves. It also offers space for genuine insight on the competitors, which I think is something that the WSL commentary lacks. It's always the most generic and repeated comments and rarely anything actually insightful. I'd love a more journalistic approach than just a quick glance at an instagram feed to then tell us they've 'been getting some fun waves on days off'. Something I really appreciated about the ABB commentary was Jess Starlings insights. So often she had really interesting and relevant info about all the competitors, not just the big names, that even the others in the booth were impressed with her comments. She had done her research and it really translated in those lull moments.

I focus's picture
I focus's picture
I focus Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 12:06pm

That photo...

stunet's picture
stunet's picture
stunet Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 12:34pm

You can stop now kids, Ryan's won the staring contest.

Terminal's picture
Terminal's picture
Terminal Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 12:56pm

The "30,000 hours on COD" stare...

Major kong's picture
Major kong's picture
Major kong Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 12:35pm

I know right that photo fricking says it all... Classic comments people...

Six board quiver's picture
Six board quiver's picture
Six board quiver Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 12:52pm

Plot twist: The WSL generated Ryan's character using A.I following the discovery that other prospective candidates had previous experience with the sport of Surfboarding.

Island Bay's picture
Island Bay's picture
Island Bay Saturday, 13 Apr 2024 at 4:05am
Bustard's picture
Bustard's picture
Bustard Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 12:53pm

Ok, after careful consideration I think I have the answer for our old mate Ryry

Webber circular wave pool big enough to hold a NFL ( or NBL ) game on the inside, surrounding the wave pool is a NASCAR track

It’s like the turducken of entertainment

Lanky Dean's picture
Lanky Dean's picture
Lanky Dean Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 1:34pm

# Fuck Gaming.
Next.

rooftop's picture
rooftop's picture
rooftop Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 1:43pm

Terminal's picture
Terminal's picture
Terminal Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 2:29pm

You, sir, win the internet for today!

Sprout's picture
Sprout's picture
Sprout Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 4:06pm

MURICA!

Trentslatterphoto's picture
Trentslatterphoto's picture
Trentslatterphoto Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 3:22pm

Pedo

canetoad's picture
canetoad's picture
canetoad Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 3:27pm

Has Ryan ever surfed competively, know what spectators want to see ?
Okay no problem.
But Ryan it might be a really good idea to give Rabs a ring and get his ideas on what works as far as running the locations for the Tour. AKA Wayne Rabbit Bartholomew is the go to man.
And good luck Ryan.

velocityjohnno's picture
velocityjohnno's picture
velocityjohnno Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 3:45pm

What's brand love?

velocityjohnno's picture
velocityjohnno's picture
velocityjohnno Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 3:50pm

Terminal's picture
Terminal's picture
Terminal Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 4:52pm

Awesome! I wonder if they'll play that music during replays?

tubeshooter's picture
tubeshooter's picture
tubeshooter Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 3:54pm

haha no love for the new guy.
Doesn't seem like the type of character to rock the WSLs boat.
Ziff will have him on a tight leash. At this point I don't think the WSL wants to change anything, sadly.

Pucker up Joey, you've got a new arse to kiss.

ashsam's picture
ashsam's picture
ashsam Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 4:12pm

Looks like a Chuck!!

Solitude's picture
Solitude's picture
Solitude Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 6:25pm

Why would this fella want this job I wonder?

tubeshooter's picture
tubeshooter's picture
tubeshooter Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 7:41pm

Mid-life crisis. Probably just wants to hang with the cool kids for a change.

belly's picture
belly's picture
belly Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 7:57pm

To be a CEO.

freeride76's picture
freeride76's picture
freeride76 Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 6:46pm

Really good question Solitude.

Bustard's picture
Bustard's picture
Bustard Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 7:38pm

Because he doesn’t have another one

Justonemore's picture
Justonemore's picture
Justonemore Friday, 12 Apr 2024 at 7:30pm

"Money " He wouldn't even know what that grainy stuff is surrounding that salty watery stuff is???

RichieMac's picture
RichieMac's picture
RichieMac Saturday, 13 Apr 2024 at 6:04am

Doesn’t matter who’s in charge, you need at least 4-6 ft good waves to make it watchable with absolute pumping 8-10 ft waves to really get the viewers in and that just doesn’t happen, sometimes for the whole tour.Rather watch free surfers and ex pros on strike missions to pumping waves and I’d rather surf shit 3 ft beaches than listen to Turpel and co try and make 3 ft shit waves exciting

Lanky Dean's picture
Lanky Dean's picture
Lanky Dean Saturday, 13 Apr 2024 at 9:27am

At this point no one is stopping you.
They are still.trying to mass market surfing.....
Not sure why, the mass market doesn't care.

frog's picture
frog's picture
frog Saturday, 13 Apr 2024 at 9:59am

Ryan surfs! International surf trips. Frother. Hard core dude. Uses very good sunscreen.

"He loves the ocean, but didn't always have easy access to it given that he was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA, and studied at the University of Arizona. He fell in love with surfing when he moved to Venice Beach after graduation and is making up for lost time with international surf trips whenever possible. He currently lives in Mar Vista, CA, with his wife Caroline."

Fact - 99% of adult learners have weird surfing styles they can't fix. We will find out if Crosby is in the 1% soon enough.

Roker's picture
Roker's picture
Roker Saturday, 13 Apr 2024 at 10:33am

The Cros. The new Cros. The one true Cros.

2% is dead.

1%4eva4eva1%.

truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher Saturday, 13 Apr 2024 at 10:24am

Nolans appreciate WSL for entrusting us with this Search.

Nolans : We Congratulate ELO...(Wot!)
Nolans : We Congratulate ELO 2.0! (Official!)

https://www.linkedin.com/company/nolanpartners

Cue the WSL Anthem!

Ryan : "Nolans will headline the WSL Cooly Hard Fizz High Tide Clean Up Set!"
Ryan : "Looking forward to my first WSL Beach Riot!"

truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher Saturday, 13 Apr 2024 at 12:09pm

Ryan Crosby (Secretary) Surfrider are chief opponents of WSL Beach Gig Grog licencing
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-02-15/should-bars-clubs-festivals-be-al...
https://www.surfrider.org/our-team/board

WSL employ Chief Beach Party Opponent as WSR Beach Party DJ.

Does Ryan abort Surfrider's noble quest by exorcising WSL Demons from within his VIP WSR Mosh Pit!

Boss : "Let the Pure Stickers flap, Ryan...just roll out more Barrels of WSL Grog Grom!"
Ryan : 'Alright Boss...just thought ya hired me for my Gallant WSR SMP Stewardship.'
Boss : "I did, ya dopey Kook...I reserve my right to sell $3m of WSL Grog in our $5m pimped out WSR!"
Ryan : "Geez! No need to get all bitchy about ya premium White Star Line Pub Crawl!"

WSL no longer have an Alcohol Problem...
Goldie Cop : "Think ya just blew yer Surf Cred...Wot a bummer, Hang loose Dudes!"

backyard's picture
backyard's picture
backyard Saturday, 13 Apr 2024 at 2:09pm

What a missed opportunity. If they were quicker off the mark they could have gotten the Honourable Scott Morrison before he went off to join the arms industry. He's an authentic leader highly skilled in Sports Rorts.

monkeyboy's picture
monkeyboy's picture
monkeyboy Saturday, 13 Apr 2024 at 2:31pm

C'mon fellas - give the new chap a chance. No one likes to join a company and be instantly written off. This could be the start of something truly beautiful.........

velocityjohnno's picture
velocityjohnno's picture
velocityjohnno Saturday, 13 Apr 2024 at 4:50pm

Yeah I reckon the same.

Blingas's picture
Blingas's picture
Blingas Saturday, 13 Apr 2024 at 6:12pm

It couldn’t be headed in a worse direction surely

tubeshooter's picture
tubeshooter's picture
tubeshooter Saturday, 13 Apr 2024 at 6:28pm

Never underestimate the power of the WSL to fuck shit up.

Fudrongo's picture
Fudrongo's picture
Fudrongo Sunday, 14 Apr 2024 at 5:04am

All right, the WSL are having a Fucken Crack to make this Work. Easy for all you sit there watching every event which are Logistically Successful on Global scale. Sick of the negative energy. Get behind them to make it better or don't watch it.

Terminal's picture
Terminal's picture
Terminal Sunday, 14 Apr 2024 at 1:57pm

Hi Dirk!

tubeshooter's picture
tubeshooter's picture
tubeshooter Sunday, 14 Apr 2024 at 5:47pm

I think the only crack the WSL has been having is commonly smoked through a glass pipe.

southernraw's picture
southernraw's picture
southernraw Sunday, 14 Apr 2024 at 6:53pm

hahaha!!

Seaweed's picture
Seaweed's picture
Seaweed Sunday, 14 Apr 2024 at 9:45am

I wonder how much $$ he’s making?.

garyg1412's picture
garyg1412's picture
garyg1412 Sunday, 14 Apr 2024 at 11:36am

If the WSL want to head in the right direction they need to get inside the minds of the audience that will buy the products that sponsor their circus. Let's just say as a young person it's all about the hype. Now if the WSL could put on a show like Soli Bailey (Cloudbreak/Shippies) and Benji Brand/Connor Coffin/Etc (Cloudbreak) I can guarantee you their viewer numbers would be off the charts and any young kids watching would be stumbling through the door at their local surf shop to buy the products being advertised by these talented sportsmen. Instead we get served sloppy drivel in most instances both in the surf and in the commentary box and it's uninspiring to say the least.

dawnperiscope's picture
dawnperiscope's picture
dawnperiscope Sunday, 14 Apr 2024 at 8:51pm

I have it on good authority that it takes exactly 9 and a half months to recover from a face transplant.

northeasterly's picture
northeasterly's picture
northeasterly Tuesday, 16 Apr 2024 at 2:04pm

I loled

Richard Cheese's picture
Richard Cheese's picture
Richard Cheese Thursday, 25 Apr 2024 at 6:48am

The eyes of another woke sociopath.

Solitude's picture
Solitude's picture
Solitude Thursday, 25 Apr 2024 at 8:32am

Sooooooo not a peep out of the CEO yet??

waxyfeet's picture
waxyfeet's picture
waxyfeet Thursday, 26 Sep 2024 at 8:53am

This is the kind of money Riot games are making on League.
Getting a song on the new Linkin Park album dedicated to your world champs competition.

Fucking wild