I'm surprised by this, if only because having one's own line seems to be the ultimate benefit offered these days.
I guess I understand his reasoning, and certainly don't pretend to know his decision process. I'm guessing there's more than enough $$$ to be made the old fashioned way - through signature discs and special runs.
I think it's a classy move by Eagle, to at least say that haha. It implies that he wants to fit into the team and he realizes he's another cog in the company. He locked in on a firm deal to provide for his "uncertain" future, bringing marketing clout and he's looking at a wingman kind of role. Just saying that their lineup is complete and he can build a bag without his own special disc line is reassuring for his fans to follow him to gyro.
He's gonna sit back, throw lefty, rehab, double the video content, double the appeal to Simons vids and rake in some cash on special stamps. Sure he doesn't have his own disc line but those special run envy in proton prism is going to be enough to Kickstart his coiffure, if they are like those OTB soft ones. Heck I got two on the way when I realized they're proton and not plasma prism.
I also feel like it's in a decline for how much sponsorship money is around, especially if a player doesn't perform. Theres still the top dogs and the street teams, unfortunately the disc golfing middle class players are being eliminated. Or less compensated. I think the companies are realizing that the money is in a champion or hordes of "free players" that are just happy to be sponsored and get a half dozen free discs every year.... dreaming of being a superstar.
It's hard for a small company to invest in a mid tier player and help them build a name with the disc golf player free market. There is a lot of semi pros and if they become a superstar they're gone in a few years to someone with more cash.
MVP has been smart and lucky. They saved their pennies got JC and he delivered the greatest recorded shot in DG history, smashing the myth that there would never be a gyro World Champion. Rolled that momentum into a smart Simon gamble and now are solidifying with Eagle. It's gonna be tough to slow down that convoy now... even their mid tier and street team are likeable and carefully selected.
MVP has now officially stolen the best part of Discmania, their whole marketing dept.