The Inevitable 2023 Pros Switching Sponsors Thread

[Shallows]

This was inevitably going to happen for someone, surprised there wasn't more hubbub from Innova with Ricky last year.

Probably gets settled with the Discin' Disciple handing over some of his next company's signing bonus. I think all the manufacturers are probably on Prodigy's side on this one.

 

[Myke566]

What a joke of a company. Their entire stance is that they are projected to lose $1.5 million over the next year? By doing this, I can't imagine how many millions they'll lose over the foreseeable future because of this. Clearly nobody thought this through on their end. I would say I'm shocked but their history proves this company has very poor leadership and decision making skills.

 

[dehaas]

This was inevitably going to happen for someone, surprised there wasn't more hubbub from Innova with Ricky last year.

My guess would be they didn't want things going to court and a lot more visibility on what actually goes into these contracts.

A degree of mystery gives them the upper hand in negotiating. Plus they probably figured if they survived the loss of Paul they could weather the Rick storm no problem.

 

[jakebake91]

My favorite bit of that article:

"Put simply," wrote Anderson, "losing G.B. to one of our competitors, especially when we passed up other sponsorship opportunities under the assumption that G.B. would remain with PDI for the 2023 season, would be a setback that PDI may never recover from."

A setback that they may never recover? Sounds like they are barley hanging on as Is. Seems like Gannon is wise to jump ship.

Also ....what possible player would ever want to sign with a company completely okay suing one of their players? Even if we assume Gannon is totally off base and in the wrong, it's a bad bad look. Especially with what they are leveling with counter claims. Seems ridiculously juvenile. And what's Gannons incentive to want to play or do well if he's forced to play out his contact?

 

[ru4por]

Shrug.....many disc companies sign local and young potential, with the hope of hitting on the one that skyrockets. It is investing in long shots. Buhr is the skyrocket and the fruition of a gamble. Why would Prodigy ever agree to let him out of a contract? I propose it is ridiculous to think they would or should. You signed a deal, shut up, throw the plastic and honor your agreement. Not a lot to see here.

 

[Finny]

Not surprising this finally happened after sponsorship changes have been the Wild West the last couple years.

Buhr is the skyrocket and the fruition of a gamble. Why would Prodigy ever agree to let him out of a contract? I propose it is ridiculous to think they would or should. You signed a deal, shut up, throw the plastic and honor your agreement. Not a lot to see here.

I agree with both of these statements. Prodigy look like chumps, but some company was going to fight back at some point. The whole reason to sink resources into a touring team is to hit on a gem like Gannon. Too bad they F'ed it up.

 

[nothinbuttree]

Shrug.....many disc companies sign local and young potential, with the hope of hitting on the one that skyrockets. It is investing in long shots. Buhr is the skyrocket and the fruition of a gamble. Why would Prodigy ever agree to let him out of a contract? I propose it is ridiculous to think they would or should. You signed a deal, shut up, throw the plastic and honor your agreement. Not a lot to see here.

Yep--its like a company spending millions on R&D on some new product and then having the product taken away just when it is ready to ship.

That said, I think there is some long term financial analysis that goes into this--which future pro will want to take a chance with them, knowing they may get sued? And with the stated product issues, combined with the negative publicity this will create (whether deserved or not), this could well finish Prodigy as a company.

Should they be able to enforce a contract? Yes. But was it in their best interest to sue a 17 year old kid? I am going to say probably not. I think some sort of private arbitration would have been a better solution. I imagine there is some blame on both sides in this, but I would offer that Buhr is hurting his short term earning potential as well. He may not make anything this year. If that is how it plays out, how will he feel then?

I personally think they will come to some sort of agreement before a hearing, and both sides will try to gloss over the issue and hope the public forgets (which we often do).

 

[nothinbuttree]

Of note also is how likely is it that Robinson stays on after this year? He is a good friend of Buhr, and appears to be on the cusp of being a consistent top 10 player as well. Both sides appear to have some growing up to do...

 

[jakebake91]

Shrug.....many disc companies sign local and young potential, with the hope of hitting on the one that skyrockets. It is investing in long shots. Buhr is the skyrocket and the fruition of a gamble. Why would Prodigy ever agree to let him out of a contract? I propose it is ridiculous to think they would or should. You signed a deal, shut up, throw the plastic and honor your agreement. Not a lot to see here.

Sounds like they didn't hold up their end of said contract either, until he started the termination process. That's crappy. And who knows if they gave him accurate data?

We don't know all the details. Both sides look bad in my opinion.

 

[DiscJunkie]

1. Money play from Prodigy. They want some buyout money.
2. Someone said it sounds just like the Paige drama, but she chose to let it drag out to the end of the contract.
3. Absolutely bad PR for Prodigy. Whoever told them that it was in their best interest to sue a 17-yr old GB over breach of contract should be fired.
4. I get why they are upset, but keeping GB on contract when he wants out? The whole PP thing stopped me from ever buying Prodigy, this doubles my dislike for Prodigy.
5. GB doesn't come out of this clean, but everyone will forget this if he continues to win.

 

[acrosley]

Can't help but appreciate that Gannon basically said Prodigy puts out an inferior product in that statement which will probably be submitted in court.

On has to assume he doesn't have a buy out clause. Or if he does wonder why whichever company (presumably Discmania) hasn't met it. Maybe since this apparently started back on November before the Simon buy out bucks.

I don't really have a dog in this race but hard for Prodigy not to look bad taking a 17 year old to court

 

[TheOtherBill]

For those that don't Reddit - Drew Gibson is leaking that Prodigy sued D*ckerson and lost, and went after Paige but the DD lawyers helped her.

 

[Tyler V]

Of course Drew chimed in, lol.

 

[gammaxgoblin]

this gives music company record contract with talent vibes.

also 80's professional skateboard company pro sponsor contract vibes.

Sug Knight gonna be hanging GB over a balcony by his ankles soon enough...

 

[Hampstead]

Prodigy has had plenty of trouble from the beginning. Self-inflicted wounds? Probably. Stolen team? Stolen logo. Bad naming concept. Poor rollout of the first few discs. Not great dealing with their vendors. And on. And on.

 

[ejvogie]

If Gannon loses the lawsuit, does he feign injury for an entire season? Play all unsanctioneds? Tour with Nikko? Join a film team to do color commentary?

 

[Shallows]

Prodigy has had plenty of trouble from the beginning. Self-inflicted wounds? Probably. Stolen team? Stolen logo. Bad naming concept. Poor rollout of the first few discs. Not great dealing with their vendors. And on. And on.

Sure but didn't you hear Will "The Stranger" Schusterick is going lefty this year?

 

[Flick Maniac]

Whoever calculated the 1.5M should get on their calculator and work out how much this $#itstorm will hurt them.

 

[mostlynorwegian]

Shrug.....many disc companies sign local and young potential, with the hope of hitting on the one that skyrockets. It is investing in long shots. Buhr is the skyrocket and the fruition of a gamble. Why would Prodigy ever agree to let him out of a contract? I propose it is ridiculous to think they would or should. You signed a deal, shut up, throw the plastic and honor your agreement. Not a lot to see here.

If they can't oblige what the agreements are. The player has every right to find the better sponsor. Same as any sport. Not a lot to say about knowing what you are worth, and wanting better for yourself, and knowing someone is willing to pony up.
Prodigy is spilling all of their beans in their responses for why they should be letting Gannon out of his contract. They simply don't have their s**t together, and this kid is a moneymaker they are scared of losing.
Retailers who have chimed in with their perspective sort of amplifies the point of. They simply don't have their *hi* together.
So. It's a bad look for the company with ashy discs that don't sell. It's also kind of a notice on their doorstep.
Get your ***t together.

 

[robdeforge]

Yep--its like a company spending millions on R&D on some new product and then having the product taken away just when it is ready to ship.

actually, I believe one of the issues specifically is that he is not being paid much at all. Prodigy did not invest millions (literally or figuratively) into Gannon. they signed him to a long-term contract when he was young that does not pay very much. you can say they had the foresight to do so, but as far as I know your analogy vastly overstates the amount of material effort expended by Prodigy to improve Gannon