2019 Pros Switching Sponsors Official Thread

[VictorB]

At the risk of sounding like common sense:

Has anyone considered the fact that he just might want to do something different? I thought the last job I had I'd stay at for 20+ years because I liked it and where I was - yet here I am in a different state and different company because it was time for a change. Maybe he feels like he's 'maxed out' his potential growth with Innova (from a money/business perspective). I'm sure there are a lot of other factors at play here that we're not considering.

 

[hurricaine]

God I hope Paul leaves Innova. Just so I don't have to see that "For me, it's my job" commercial anymore. Also want to see how many Novas flood into the used bins.

send the novas to me

 

[hurricaine]

This is the truest thing I've seen about Paul going to Discraft. I had a friend post a picture of Paul in a Discraft shirt that was clearly photoshopped, like he just slapped the logo on another picture. He captioned it "Paul McBeth Moves to Discraft".

40-50 comments of people speculating and I commented "Yah I talked to Paul yesterday, the contract is almost final". I had 10-15 replies asking for details (not my source) within like 30 minutes.

I'm a nobody in the Disc Golf world, but someone read a comment and believed it without even asking for a source.

Rumors spread like wildfire and no one checks credibility or anything.

naked lap incoming

 

[DiscFifty]

Has anyone considered the fact that he just might want to do something different?

I just don't think there's enough money in the sport to have that kind of mindset at 28 years old. He's newly married, maybe even thinking of McKids in the future. I think stability and an eye on future investments is clearly more important to him based on his public comments. (Building a course, etc, etc)

 

[Flick Maniac]

Everyone in the disc golf biz is using the PMB>Discraft bloat for social network trolling, which equals new likes, shares, etc, etc. All this "I know from an inside source" is just trolling. It's good for the "disc golf social circles" as it keeps everyone checking out everyone's timeline, profile, update, story, yada...mcyada....mcyada.

"Theyre not going to pick up an expensive already established big gun (like Jones)"

Established? Maybe as far as tour earnings (4th this year), but in the social realm I think he's just now getting started. I personally think he is the premier player any serious sponsor is going to take a look at in the off season. He has all the qualities of a worthwhile long term investment. Young (21), good looks, and great player skill. But I agree Discmania already has Simon & Eagle, I don't think they "need" a Kevin Jones. @ Innova, Paul & James are 28, BigSexy are both 33, they could use someone a little younger like KJ for their Star Team. Both Discraft and DD could use someone like KJ the most imop, and ultimately it would not surprise me if he ends up with one of them.

This season made the difference. 12 months ago Kevin was a promising prospect with a lot of potential. Now he has shown he has it. People ought to be fighting over him. He might be happy with the current mixed bag and a Prodiscus deal, but bigger complanies are likely to be able to offer a better deal. I really dont see DM jumping into the fray over him. Last year maybe but not anymore.

 

[ThunderEagle]

What would Discraft have to offer McBeth to lure him away from Innova? Innova could certainly offer sufficient sponsorship compensation to match Discraft. If in fact the rumors pan out to be true, makes you wonder if some Discraft stock ownership and/or a hand in designing discs might be part of the deal.

I said it in a previous post, The "McBeast Line by Discraft". Discs designed specifically by Paul, for Paul. I don't know that Innova would be interested in doing this. Innova probably could match anything Discraft could/would offer him, but I just feel like it is worth more to Discraft than it is worth to Innova to match/keep him.

Innova without Paul will keep on trucking. Destroyers, Firebirds, Teebirds, Rocs, Aviars are still going to sell like mad.

Discraft with Paul, especially if they match it with a new line of discs, man that is just wildfire. So I take it back, it probably is worth it to Innova just to prevent this from happening.

 

[Jouni]

Discraft is in Michigan, but Paul's course will be in Virginia, where be now lives.

Hey, don't you come here with your facts, you are ruining good rumors from reliable sources!

 

[VictorB]

I just don't think there's enough money in the sport to have that kind of mindset at 28 years old. He's newly married, maybe even thinking of McKids in the future. I think stability and an eye on future investments is clearly more important to him based on his public comments. (Building a course, etc, etc)

It's definitely a possibility.

Could also be that he's made/invested enough that trying different ventures might not be as much risk at it could have been. (Obviously back to speculating again here)

 

[dorseymatt]

On the other hand, instead of a line of discs, perhaps they simply offered him guaranteed money. Much more security in that.

 

[DiscNinja33]

naked lap incoming

I think you just want an excuse to run the course naked.

 

[BuiltTooLong]

The truth of the matter is Paul McBeth HIMSELF probably doesn't even know whose discs he's going to be throwing yet next year. I truly believe that he is still negotiating with both companies and is actually telling people he's moving to Discraft so that Innova doesn't call his bluff and gives him more $$$.

Looking beyond just the $, Discraft could guarantee him or his wife some type of role in the company post careers as well. I know Lebron wanted something similar from the Cavaliers and they wouldn't commit but LA would.

 

[dorseymatt]

I wonder if any of the players are getting health insurance from their sponsors.

 

[DinosaurThunder]

 

[Rob Martin]

So, whatever happened to the DGI (Disc Golf Initiative) Group? Made a rucus at the beginning of the year. Did they actually get anything accomplished?

https://www.thedgigroup.com/

 

[TheOtherBill]

This might be a play by his new 'agent'. Just by calling Discraft, even if they laughed right in his ear when they heard the $ asked it plays well here and on social media to increase interest once the off season started.

He can also say "We're talking to DC" and it'd be true, even if a 30-second call.

"All press is good press"

 

[dehaas]

As far as a co-designed disc line, I think everybody here assumes touring pros are nerds like everybody here.

I think Sexton spoils us all because the guy is obviously knowledgeable and can communicate that very well in videos. Feldberg is almost too intelligent, some of his tutorial videos can be tough to follow...almost gotta go back and listen a couple of times for it to stick.

It's not a knock on Paul, but not everybody who is good at disc golf cares about creating their own molds. Yeah people would buy one to check out, but there are so many popular molds out there you'd really have to come up with something special to take away significant market share from the bag staples. Personally I think it'd be a safer bet to cherry pick existing molds to slap my name on.

Maybe he's got somebody on the hook for a Bobby Bonilla contract.

 

[discgolfer25]

I wonder if any of the players are getting health insurance from their sponsors.

I believe most would try to keep them as independent contractors instead of employees which would mean no insurance.

 

[JC17393]

As far as a co-designed disc line, I think everybody here assumes touring pros are nerds like everybody here.

The co-designed line part is what makes me laugh, especially in the context of suggesting it for a company that's been in business for 30+ years and has 80+ molds in their repertoire already.

Branding a bunch of their existing discs with a player's name as a "line", even in a new blend of plastic, makes some sense. Creating a line of brand new molds is something that takes years and a LOT of money to make happen. Even conservatively, I'd imagine the creation of a new disc design and mold, even before it goes into production, is a mid-five figure investment. So a line of self/co-designed discs (what is a line? Five discs? Ten discs?) is a ridiculously big thing to offer a single player. Maybe it makes sense for an up and coming company that has a need/desire to expand their selection anyway, but not one with a whole complement of discs in production already.

 

[dorseymatt]

I believe most would try to keep them as independent contractors instead of employees which would mean no insurance.

Absolutely, they would. I wouldn't be surprised if it's something McBeth would want, though, given he's in his late 20s, his wife is also a disc-golfer (unsure if she has a day job offering insurance), etc.

 

[Nova P]

So, whatever happened to the DGI (Disc Golf Initiative) Group? Made a rucus at the beginning of the year. Did they actually get anything accomplished?

https://www.thedgigroup.com/

It's called a long con because it takes time.