The Inevitable 2022 Pros Switching Sponsors Thread

[Echota]

Something tells me Innova has been setting us up the whole time and is still going to make some big signings and give some players big money. They're just waiting for the dust to settle and letting everyone else have their little moments. Think about what has happened so far this off season. We've all spent just as much if not more time talking about Innova and what is happening there than we have been talking about the new companies their former team members have signed with. Chris Dickerson to Innova makes a lot of sense. He could easily step in and take the abandoned Invictus, rename it and make it his sig disc to replace the fx-2.

 

[Cgkdisc]

Presuming the Prodigy players leaving have stock, they likely need to cash it in to major Prodigy stockholders before moving on to another sponsor if that's their plan. Completing those financial gymnastics may be delaying new sponsor moves. Some may still be shopping for new deals or even have one or two on the table to ponder.

 

[discerdoo]

I don't think he has "ever" had a full time job.

People make a big deal about him "not being able to afford to tour", but I think it is just him being smart with his money and also liking home. Kevin Jones, Drew Gibson, and Simon Lizotte have all said that it doesn't make sense financially to travel across country to play tours and that they need to finish top 5 to break even.

Well, I don't follow the intricate details of all the pros personal lives. Just heard it mentioned on some coverage that he has a job and didn't tour full time, certainly not making a big deal about it.

Love his game, he's at a level to make some coin with the money they're throwing around these days.

 

[dehaas]

Part of me thinks DC especially after Ricky saying he was talking to them, they obviously have the money if they were looking to sign him.

The other part says Innova, like they were gonna save their announcements for the very end to get the final word. Think about it, they did sign Ricky to a smaller deal after Paul left, could be a similar situation. Contract upgrade for him, but not quite on Ricky's level.

As far as not touring the west coast previously, airfare and hotel for several days is gonna run over 1k. Depending on the event payouts it might not be a favorable gamble on his part to show up. He's just playing his odds to come out ahead.

 

[biscoe]

Wow, is he still working a regular job? The money for a player of his caliber should be good enough to tour full time.

He hasnt worked outside of dg for some time. He just doesnt like touring all that much and is focused on home life.

 

[ray1970]

As far as not touring the west coast previously, airfare and hotel for several days is gonna run over 1k. Depending on the event payouts it might not be a favorable gamble on his part to show up. He's just playing his odds to come out ahead.

I think this is just more proof that disc golf at the professional level is still in its infancy and is a work in progress.

When I travel for work my company pays my travel expenses - airfare, lodging, meals, etc.

I would think having a well known player out representing my brand at as many major events as possible would have to benefit my company. If I had a McBeth, Wysocki, Heimberg, Dickerson, etc. signed to a contract you can bet getting them to play west coast events wouldn't be too difficult if I were covering all of their travel expenses.

 

[seedlings]

Part of me thinks DC especially after Ricky saying he was talking to them, they obviously have the money if they were looking to sign him.

The other part says Innova, like they were gonna save their announcements for the very end to get the final word. Think about it, they did sign Ricky to a smaller deal after Paul left, could be a similar situation. Contract upgrade for him, but not quite on Ricky's level.

As far as not touring the west coast previously, airfare and hotel for several days is gonna run over 1k. Depending on the event payouts it might not be a favorable gamble on his part to show up. He's just playing his odds to come out ahead.

So would Dickerson finally play Innova's tournament(s) out west? If he just needed money, he'll play. If he has some other objections, maybe he'll go smaller company.

 

[Dcinmd]

When I travel for work my company pays my travel expenses - airfare, lodging, meals, etc.

Technically speaking your company's customers pay this business expense.

 

[jdm0514]

Casey White extends with Discmania for two years
https://www.instagram.com/p/CYZI4O2Fs52/?utm_medium=copy_link

 

[Echota]

I think this is just more proof that disc golf at the professional level is still in its infancy and is a work in progress.

When I travel for work my company pays my travel expenses - airfare, lodging, meals, etc.

I would think having a well known player out representing my brand at as many major events as possible would have to benefit my company. If I had a McBeth, Wysocki, Heimberg, Dickerson, etc. signed to a contract you can bet getting them to play west coast events wouldn't be too difficult if I were covering all of their travel expenses.

Hiring a manager has to be the next step for these top tier pros to grow and solve these kind of problems. Regardless of how much money Ricky was making before this new deal, he saw the value in investing in a manager and delegating tasks to her. Now he has more time to practice and focusing on playing disc golf. We cant deny that has contributed largely to his success on the course this year. And I firmly believe that without that partnership, he doesnt get this big new DD contract. Other top tier pros will need to create those kind of partnerships / make that investment to get to that next level with him and stay there.

 

[ray1970]

Hiring a manager has to be the next step for these top tier pros to grow and solve these kind of problems. Regardless of how much money Ricky was making before this new deal, he saw the value in investing in a manager and delegating tasks to her. Now he has more time to practice and focusing on playing disc golf. We cant deny that has contributed largely to his success on the course this year. And I firmly believe that without that partnership, he doesnt get this big new DD contract. Other top tier pros will need to create those kind of partnerships / make that investment to get to that next level with him and stay there.

While I'm not really disagreeing with this, I am not sure Ricky having Ari (?) negotiate his contract was really optimal. Isn't she family to him or something? Maybe I'm wrong on that part. I could see her running his social media, merchandise, and scheduling for him or whatever but if a multi-year, millions of dollars contract is being discussed I'd probably rather have a dedicated agent with some legal prowess and experience negotiating on my behalf.

 

[mas30066]

If I understood the Terry Miller interview correctly, she did engage lawyers at their expense for the actual contract. Agreed that it might be above her grade if she's tackling solo, but she recognized the need and responded appropriately. That's the value of a good manager, knowing when to ask for the right help. I came away more impressed by her than I was expecting. She's genuinely sharp.

 

[dehaas]

So would Dickerson finally play Innova's tournament(s) out west? If he just needed money, he'll play. If he has some other objections, maybe he'll go smaller company.

It sounds like right now anything is a possibility. No clue what his old deal included, but for a long time it was rumored that players received some form of equity ownership. Not sure if that's still the case for a newer player like Thomas Gilbert or not. Everything is a compromise, so maybe they just weren't as generous with dedicated travel expense funds. Or maybe he negotiated a higher base in lieu of travel funds? We'll never know.

From what I remember in interviews the main reason he said he didn't go west was cost. Money in compared to money out simply wasn't worth it to him. Totally different ballgame though if somebody is paying for your trip.

If he was content with the extent of his travel I don't think he'd be leaving Prodigy, especially since he's still under contract with them.

 

[txmxer]

Cashing out on equity with a private company is frequently a really bad deal for those with limited equity. Who sets the value? The people that have to buy you out. Not good.

 

[Tyler V]

If you want any of Dickerson's Prodigy discs or apparel, look at his stories on Instagram. Dude is trying to wholesale everything.

 

[autocrosscrx]

I'm a huge fan and it would be super cool to get a disc, but I don't think I want ALL his discs. Nor do I want all his clothes.

 

[Jolt]

Many players that have switch companys and got a BIG paycheck. . . .but i wonder how all the players stuck in a bad contract feels about the 2022 season?

 

[hartigan5279]

If you want any of Dickerson's Prodigy discs or apparel, look at his stories on Instagram. Dude is trying to wholesale everything.

Between that and the way he wrote the post about last year being the last year that he will throw Prodigy discs, it seems to me that the split was not amicable.

 

[drk229]

Between that and the way he wrote the post about last year being the last year that he will throw Prodigy discs, it seems to me that the split was not amicable.

I wonder if he found out the terms of Kevin Jones' deal and wanted a raise, they said no and he was all set.

This seems abrupt and not friendly

 

[Echota]

Between that and the way he wrote the post about last year being the last year that he will throw Prodigy discs, it seems to me that the split was not amicable.

Maybe theres some saltiness over Kevin essentially getting the franchise tag over him.