The Inevitable 2022 Pros Switching Sponsors Thread

[Nale72]

Not a big name in the US, but Linus Carlsson, top player (1035-rated) from Sweden who both won the Swedish Championships and came second in the European Championships in 2021 also announced he's leving Innova today after four years. From what I've read he will probably try his luck in at least some events on the US tour in 2022.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CYKNclkr9HU/

 

[Superbford]

I think most of the hate that I've seen (myself included) stems more from him (seemingly) being a cocky, arrogant, dbag blowhard. The video with the foundation goons where they end up sending rollers across a field into a playground, potentially injuring small kids , was my absolute last straw.

My opinions, of course. I do however STRONGLY dislike the guy.

Get off my lawn Brodie!!!!!

I've talked to plenty of people in the DFW area who have played with him and say he is extremely nice and fun to be around. One of these times we were talking with a Texas travelling pro who said he's well liked on tour and the players love the number of eyes he brought to the sport.

I don't have any of his discs and I haven't bought anything from Foundation... but he seems to be far from a Dbag... yes, they made a dumb mistake that day which was well over a year ago.... oh NO!!!!

 

[Keller]

He may be the nicest person in the world in person but, his social media persona is that of a loud mouth, arrogant D-bag.

 

[eegor]

Well, at least I'll have Pigs to browse through in the used bins next year

I'm still collecting Harps...

 

[Plastic Thunder]

Well, not really surprised he did not re-up with Innova. Not because of anything Ricky did but because no one at Innova feels they need to pay anything approaching McBeth type money to any player.

Ricky's play has put him at the top of the sport. The real question is, can anyone build a brand around him and moreover, will he move the needle concerning product sales for an entire brand? That last point is hard to measure over at Innova. They already sell a ton of discs and sales won't slump just because Ricky left. What he should expect is some thing closer to Paul's deal than Drew's money.

The problem I see is that Paul caught lightening in a bottle and the disc golf space is a bit crowded at this point. Paul has spent a fair amount of time building his own brand and Discraft's as well. Discraft was a nice enterprise prior to Paul signing and loads of us retooled our collections and our bags by the end of his first year concerning Discraft. Not sure Ricky has the ability or the space in the disc golf world to make that type of impact. Discraft picked up Pierce, Hammes, Uli and a few others that year which helped move the brand. If he landed there he would really be just another stud in the stable.

We all know what is coming next, Ricky wins Worlds...... The key to victory is leaving Innova.....

Where ever he goes I hope he gets what he is looking for and is happy.

 

[Leviathan]

I am wondering if we are going to see any movement from Calvin or Kyle?

 

[F. Howl]

Get off my lawn Brodie!!!!!

I've talked to plenty of people in the DFW area who have played with him and say he is extremely nice and fun to be around. One of these times we were talking with a Texas travelling pro who said he's well liked on tour and the players love the number of eyes he brought to the sport.

I don't have any of his discs and I haven't bought anything from Foundation... but he seems to be far from a Dbag... yes, they made a dumb mistake that day which was well over a year ago.... oh NO!!!!

I played a few holes with Brodie and Mark Salling (some guy from Glee who killed himself), and Brodie was extremely nice and cordial (and not just comparatively against a real d-bag like Salling). This was around the height of his trick shot videos, before getting into ball golf. He's definitely a bro, but I agree: hardly a d-bag.

 

[@CD-]

Pretty interesting conversation with different levels of perspective on how contracts and player compensation have been structured in the past and more recently. Some points hit upon what is most important to a brand/manufacturer may not be the same as another brand and how they value players that are not consistent contenders for the wins. Performer/Influencer types like Brodie are more important for the smaller brands to grow a fanbase. I could see him going mixed bag at some point.

Innova has a lot of avenues to explore expanding their brand worldwide. Maybe sponsoring more international events and utilizing their top molds/manufacturing/distributing advantage will be their focus for the post-Covid19 boom. Losing Ricky isn't so bad if Sexton is touring more and Heimburg is playing consistent 1050+ golf.

 

[WD09]

Social Media announcement from Mason Ford:
With this being my first year on tour 2021 has been full of unforgettable memories and amazing people! Unfortunately 2022 will have a different path for me. Innova Champion and my self will be parting ways for 2022. They have done nothing but show love and support for me and my travels, helped me grow as a player and as a person. I have nothing but respect and love for them as a company. The new sponsorship announcement will be on 1/1/2022

 

[WD09]

And from Valerie Mandujano:
I have been with Innova for the past 5yrs, as hard as this decision was I have decided to part way with them. The past 5 years alone have brought a lot of growth and a lot of highs and lows. I was very happy to spend these past 5 years with them. Thank you everyone working at Innova, including Joe and Jonathan you guys have shown nothing but love and support for me in my adventures. Last but not least thank you to all the fans you guys really help make this a dream come true. Competing on the road which seems like every weekend of the year gets hard and you guys help make it that much easier so thank you once again!

 

[Jolt]

Wow Innova is dropping players fast. . have they signed anyone new at all?

 

[Jolt]

And from Valerie Mandujano:
I have been with Innova for the past 5yrs, as hard as this decision was I have decided to part way with them. The past 5 years alone have brought a lot of growth and a lot of highs and lows. I was very happy to spend these past 5 years with them. Thank you everyone working at Innova, including Joe and Jonathan you guys have shown nothing but love and support for me in my adventures. Last but not least thank you to all the fans you guys really help make this a dream come true. Competing on the road which seems like every weekend of the year gets hard and you guys help make it that much easier so thank you once again!

Paul McBeth made a comment so i guess Discraft.. .value to have both sisters on the same team

Strange i can´t see Alexis on the Team Discraft paige

 

[Nale72]

Paul McBeth made a comment so i guess Discraft.. .value to have both sisters on the same team

Strange i can´t see Alexis on the Team Discraft paige

From what I've heard it will be DD. And there were a pic circulating yesterday with Mason using a Handeye-bag. They could be "the other two" DD-signings that has been "announced" beside the two big ones. But I guess we will know for sure shortly.

 

[Steve West]

Seeing these two quotes struck a chord:
"They have done nothing but show love and support..."
"...you guys have shown nothing but love and support..."

Perhaps there is a need to replace that "nothing" with "something".

 

[robdeforge]

Well, not really surprised he did not re-up with Innova.

The crazy part is not that he "did not re-up with Innova" it's that he's leaving his contract early.

https://www.innovadiscs.com/team-news/wysocki-returns-team-innova-expands-in-2019/

The two-time PDGA World Champion returns to Innova—his first sponsor—with a five-year contract. "I am thrilled to return to Innova family, the first company to take a chance on me when I was a young and inexperienced. To say that I'm excited would be an understatement. I look forward to the opportunity to grow Innova's brand—and mine—for years to come!"

Wysocki returns to Innova with a deal that keeps him on the roster for at least the next five years—Innova's longest term athlete contract ever. "The 5-year agreement means longevity. The longevity to focus on my game and my long term goals. It also helps set a precedent for long term contracts in the sport, which I feel could help more young players pursue disc golf as a profession."

 

[Billipo]

I wonder if Goodwill Stores near transient pros have a nice selection of logo disc golf gear. Maybe posting their hometowns and shirts sizes would be valuable info.

 

[jakebake91]

The crazy part is not that he "did not re-up with Innova" it's that he's leaving his contract early.

https://www.innovadiscs.com/team-news/wysocki-returns-team-innova-expands-in-2019/

I'm guessing both sides probably had an opt out clause after some length of time.

I'm a little curious why the move. Does Innova really not stack up sponsorship wise to the other companies? I know they haven't this far been willing to offer blockbuster contracts, but is the disparity really that big? Or is it something more than/bigger than that? Wasn't there something McBeth mentioned about a lack of clarity with tour series disc sales numbers? Could that play into it?

 

[foxdawg10]

Twiddles thumbs, waits for all the big 1/1/2022 announcements.

 

[Rol6566]

Official from DD

Valerie Mandujano signs with DD

"We're starting the new year off with a new FPO signing, Valerie Mandujano will be joining Team Dynamic Discs Supreme Team on a 2-year contract! Valerie is coming off her first full season on tour in which she won 3 A-Tiers, and had many more top 10 finishes along the way. Everyone, welcome Val to the Team and let her know a disc or two she needs to check out in the comments below!"

 

[Flick Maniac]

Dear John,
I would like to remain friends, but our relationship is over.
Ricky

Ps. Also, its not me, its you.