The inevitable 2020 Pros switching sponsor/DD hate thread

[Jolt]

Nikko probably wants to be that "free" mixed bag touring pro . . but he can´t help hearing about all the "big money" contracts in the sport.

You need money to live on the tour. . and it´s hard to say no to money when you need it. . . . just to be that "cool mixed bag guy"

But why he has said no all these years i dont know. . what changed?

 

[DiscJunkie]

I think Jolt gets it...
It's one thing to live as an independent and follow the dictates of your free will - and temper...
it's quite another thing to ignore the money that's available for someone of Nikko's ability and name recognition.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not predicting all will go well, but hoping.
I am hoping that Nikko has matured to the point that he can market his skill and name recognition.

 

[Streets]

Nikko probably wants to be that "free" mixed bag touring pro . . but he can´t help hearing about all the "big money" contracts in the sport.

You need money to live on the tour. . and it´s hard to say no to money when you need it. . . . just to be that "cool mixed bag guy"

But why he has said no all these years i dont know. . what changed?

Lol every couple of years Nikko signs with somebody else and pretty much grows tired of them by the end of the same year...

2000s through 2011 - Gateway (longest sponsor, allowed a mixed bag)
2012 - Innova (according to rumors, he was putting blank Wizards by end of year)
2013 - Prodigy (lol he was probably one of the first to jump ship)
2014 - MVP/Legacy/Gateway (he threw what he wanted pretty much)
2015 - Daredevil (same as above)
2016 through 2019 - Flylife? I guess (basically threw what he wanted)
2019 - Westside (I'm betting we will see him use some suspect blank discs by end of year)

*Someone with better knowledge can correct my timeline, but I think that's pretty close.

 

[Jolt]

Lol every couple of years Nikko signs with somebody else and pretty much grows tired of them by the end of the same year...

2000s through 2011 - Gateway (longest sponsor, allowed a mixed bag)
2012 - Innova (according to rumors, he was putting blank Wizards by end of year)
2013 - Prodigy (lol he was probably one of the first to jump ship)
2014 - MVP/Legacy/Gateway (he threw what he wanted pretty much)
2015 - Daredevil (same as above)
2016 through 2019 - Flylife? I guess (basically threw what he wanted)
2019 - Westside (I'm betting we will see him use some suspect blank discs by end of year)

*Someone with better knowledge can correct my timeline, but I think that's pretty close.

I have a long break from discgolf from 2000-2015 so i have no idea what happened in those years. . but nice to know Nikkos background

So better luck this time then?

 

[DinosaurThunder]

Nikko doesn't fit the brand of a DD sponsored pro and Westside seems like the likely company in the trilogy family - good addition to their team.. But I am a little confused why Lat64 and Westside have made bigger off season moves than DD (previous seasons and this upcoming season). They have a men's team that show no consistency placing top 10 at each NT or DGPT. You would think they would be seeking out those 1020+ rated pros, especially being the larger brand within Trilogy. Unless their sales are fine and this a move to grow this side of the business - then good on them.

 

[DinosaurThunder]

Nikko doesn't fit the brand of a DD sponsored pro and Westside seems like the likely company in the trilogy family - good addition to their team.. But I am a little confused why Lat64 and Westside have made bigger off season moves than DD (previous seasons and this upcoming season). They have a men's team that show no consistency placing top 10 at each NT or DGPT. You would think they would be seeking out those 1020+ rated pros, especially being the larger brand within Trilogy. Unless their sales are fine and this a move to grow this side of the business - then good on them.

I'm sure their sales are more than fine. That last line was better off reading - "fine with their up and down pro mix"

 

[Streets]

So better luck this time then?

I hope Nikko has a fantastic season...but mixed bag Nikko is best Nikko.

 

[Jolt]

I hope Nikko has a fantastic season...but mixed bag Nikko is best Nikko.

I watch ALOT of discgolf. . but i still have no idea what Nikko has been throwing in 2019. .

I have a few "nikko wizards and Magics" but most of the discs i see him throw have odd or no stamp

So whats in "Nikkos mixed bag of mystery" ??

 

[DiscFifty]

Nikko doesn't fit the brand of a DD sponsored pro and Westside seems like the likely company in the trilogy family - good addition to their team.. But I am a little confused why Lat64 and Westside have made bigger off season moves than DD (previous seasons and this upcoming season). They have a men's team that show no consistency placing top 10 at each NT or DGPT. You would think they would be seeking out those 1020+ rated pros, especially being the larger brand within Trilogy. Unless their sales are fine and this a move to grow this side of the business - then good on them.

I think DD is the Walmart of disc golf. When I think of DD I don't think of any particular player, but I do think of them as a "disc golf retailer" a place where I might shop locally or online. I really could care less who they sponsor. hmm.. I wonder if that outlook is shared by some top pros and perhaps that plays into their decision to be sponsored by them (or not) ?

Super impressed with Nikko. I'm glad he seems to be realizing about life after 30. If he plays his cards right, he's one of the few players that I could see starting up a viable disc golf brand, rather it be discs, clothing, etc. While I might miss the wild Nikko days, the more mature, more consistent, Nikko might be even more exciting.

 

[cooldaddyslickbreeze]

DD social media always in your face cult.

YES! It is working.

 

[Keller]

YES! It is working.

And annoying the hell out of many others.

What's your backlash contingency plan?

 

[biscoe]

I think DD is the Walmart of disc golf. When I think of DD I don't think of any particular player, but I do think of them as a "disc golf retailer" a place where I might shop locally or online. I really could care less who they sponsor. hmm.. I wonder if that outlook is shared by some top pros and perhaps that plays into their decision to be sponsored by them (or not) ?

I think your perspective on DD is partially due to living in Texas. Around here they are pretty much just lumped into the Trilogy bucket.

IMO top players only care about a couple of things when seeking sponsorship. First and foremost is the simple finances of it. Second (and only for those players savvy enough to recognize it) is building their own personal brand. Everything else is as irrelevant as color of the uniform to a free agent in a team sport. There will always be occasional outliers.

 

[cooldaddyslickbreeze]

And annoying the hell out of many others.

What's your backlash contingency plan?

My reply was just an attempt (perhaps a poor one) at being facetious.

I am under no illusion that what we do will please or appeal to everyone.

 

[billyjacko]

Innova sponsored Joel Freeman has stated he is newly engaged and will not be on tour this coming year

That stinks. He's so consistent on every front. If you want some insight on his game, listen to him on Brian Earhart's podcast.

 

[DiscFifty]

Nikko...... But why he has said no all these years i dont know. . what changed?

Age.

 

[jvphobic]

I always find it funny when people complain about DD's "In your face social media". People realize that you and unsubscribe from any social media/player that you want. It isn't like they are jumping into public forums and shoving it in people's faces.

And by "In your face", do they just mean consistent? CoolDaddySlickBreeze has been absolutely awesome at helping to create a brand and promote it. Any manufacturer should want to give their left arm for someone as dedicated and talented as him.

DD does more social media than any other brand, and every other brand wished they could mimic and keep up. The only "backlash" that I ever see is from jaded internet trolls honestly. As long as DD keeps pushing the boundaries of social media and our sport keeps growing, there are always new people to enjoy new content.

Anyway, tune in tonight to our podcast to hear us interview Nikko Locastro. Live at 9pm CST on SmashBoxxTVs YouTube channel. SMASH THAT SUBSCRIBE BUTTON, RING THAT BELL! SUPPORT OUR PATREON! SUPER CHATS WELCOME! Stay tuned for our AFTERSHOOOOOOOOW! Follow us on Twitter and FB. Find me on SkipAce.com Fantasy Disc Golf website. Join us for SmashBoxxTV Unsanctioned as well. hahahahahah

 

[Keller]

I always find it funny when people complain about DD's "In your face social media". People realize that you and unsubscribe from any social media/player that you want. It isn't like they are jumping into public forums and shoving it in people's faces.

And by "In your face", do they just mean consistent? CoolDaddySlickBreeze has been absolutely awesome at helping to create a brand and promote it. Any manufacturer should want to give their left arm for someone as dedicated and talented as him.

DD does more social media than any other brand, and every other brand wished they could mimic and keep up. The only "backlash" that I ever see is from jaded internet trolls honestly. As long as DD keeps pushing the boundaries of social media and our sport keeps growing, there are always new people to enjoy new content.

Anyway, tune in tonight to our podcast to hear us interview Nikko Locastro. Live at 9pm CST on SmashBoxxTVs YouTube channel. SMASH THAT SUBSCRIBE BUTTON, RING THAT BELL! SUPPORT OUR PATREON! SUPER CHATS WELCOME! Stay tuned for our AFTERSHOOOOOOOOW! Follow us on Twitter and FB. Find me on SkipAce.com Fantasy Disc Golf website. Join us for SmashBoxxTV Unsanctioned as well. hahahahahah

I'm very well aware that I can unsubscribe from social media and indeed have done so. I'ts just not my thing. Maybe just an age thing, but I find it pretty juvenile and tedious.

Being part of the social media, you obviously have to cover you a$$, no problem there, but, not everyone, (and this is just a guess from my observations) gives a rats behind about it. It's a fickle market and the latest and greatest can change over night. DD could just as easily go through what Prodigy did, from everybody should get on the bus to no one cares.

And I am not an internet troll "thank you very much". And I have seen the backlash, and that may just be a regional thing, but around me, people are pretty sick of the DD fan boys. Social media can't replace being social in the real world. Most people just want to play disc golf, not spend a round hearing all the nonsense.

DD just seems to be catering to one market, and i'm not in that market. If they help grow the sport, fine, more power to them. I used to throw quiet a bit off DD stuff, but I have since traded it all away, I want no part of the class clown, attention seeking cult mentality. Again, that may just be a regional thing. So take that with a grain of salt.

 

[mistabman]

Most people just want to play disc golf, not spend a round hearing all the nonsense.

So are you actually playing rounds with AJ Risley or what?

Cause that would be pretty cool...

 

[Monkeypaws]

Chris Clemons with some interesting comments on Nikko in this Reddit thread:https://www.reddit.com/r/discgolf/comments/duvhs8/nikko_locastro_will_be_playing_for_westside_in/

 

[colink]

You guys do great! Your touring pros are some of the nicest people in disc golf. You sponsor great events. Your discs are top-notch. Your social media presence is off the charts, particularly on YouTube.