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Ken Climo leaving Innova

Gonna be interesting to see what the opportunity too good to pass up is....

I'm guessing an ownership stake in a manufacturer, where he can bring credibility as the GOAT - even though he's not particularly relevant to many of today's players.
 
I just don't understand why he was so hands off on the community aspect after he couldn't play. He just disappeared and the only way to ever see his name is on an innova disc or in context of 'the old days'.

I just don't see his name being a big enough draw nowadays to justify a manufacturer giving him a custom line(ala McBeth/Simon). In 'the old days' he put eagles/rocs/teebirds/firebirds on the map, but in modern times(past ten years) they can/will sell just fine without his name attached. Especially since Innova has broken the 'only one sponsored pro per mold' rule they seemed to cling to during the patented days.

A 'KC Teebird' is no different from a F2 Champ Teebird and you can get a 'Teebird' from literally every manufacturer now(same for any of the other KC molds).
Like the Sexton Firebirds, they didn't sell like hotcakes because of Sexton's name, they sold well because players have been screaming for more premium options for Firebirds for like a decade at that point. Same reason McBeth Roc3's sold so well, people had been wanting champ rocs that weren't $30+ for decades.

I think holding onto KC was just a relic of the Patented era when they really didn't need to try too hard to maintain marketshare. Now that they actually have to try to compete against MVP/Discraft/HOD, they're finally shaking things up(and have been for a while to be fair), but this was loooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooong overdue in my opinion.

Like they should've done this when McBeth won his 3rd/4th.
 
Despite what the article says, his X feed makes it sound like they dumped him, and are trying to do it tactfully to avoid community backlash.
Probably because of his X posts, which are sponsor kryptonite.
I follow him and just yesterday I was thinking he should tone it down if he wants to have a future in disc golf, then this.

Edit: Now he's got a post up saying he left on his own and big things are coming.
 
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OH, now it makes sense. He's a far right loon.
Not surprising, but is always disappointing.
Nevermind, apparently its an imposter.
 
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Twitter account is an impersonating fake account, Climo has said he doesn't have any social media accounts in interviews.


I'm guessing HoD with his connection to Charlie Goodpasture (Kastaplast) and HoD USA GM also in FL (Seth Fendley) trying to establish a Lat64 footprint potentially.
 
That would make sense if he was offered an ownership stake. Which would put him in a bit of a pickle if he was still an 'Innova Allstar Team Member' lol
 
According to Ken's Joint Facebook account with his lady. He says that he ended the relationship with Innova.

Is that account actually Ken? I have no way to verify. But... Being that ken strikes me as one of those guys who could care less about social media, but still wants a chance here and there to see/talk or make statements.... *shrugs*
 
Fistymcbuttpuncher said:
I just don't understand why he was so hands off on the community aspect after he couldn't play. He just disappeared and the only way to ever see his name is on an innova disc or in context of 'the old days'.

I just don't see his name being a big enough draw nowadays to justify a manufacturer giving him a custom line(ala McBeth/Simon). In 'the old days' he put eagles/rocs/teebirds/firebirds on the map, but in modern times(past ten years) they can/will sell just fine without his name attached. Especially since Innova has broken the 'only one sponsored pro per mold' rule they seemed to cling to during the patented days.

A 'KC Teebird' is no different from a F2 Champ Teebird and you can get a 'Teebird' from literally every manufacturer now(same for any of the other KC molds).
Like the Sexton Firebirds, they didn't sell like hotcakes because of Sexton's name, they sold well because players have been screaming for more premium options for Firebirds for like a decade at that point. Same reason McBeth Roc3's sold so well, people had been wanting champ rocs that weren't $30+ for decades.

I think holding onto KC was just a relic of the Patented era when they really didn't need to try too hard to maintain marketshare. Now that they actually have to try to compete against MVP/Discraft/HOD, they're finally shaking things up(and have been for a while to be fair), but this was loooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooong overdue in my opinion.

Like they should've done this when McBeth won his 3rd/4th.
Click to expand...

The following is the understanding as it was told to me from some of the old heads who have been pretty into things for a long time.

Ken disappeared because he was broke and had to work. His contract with Innova was never really in his favor financially. As in his disc royalties were absolute dogshit.

The overall changing of pay structure and contracts is a sign that mfg's are starting to get it. I don't really agree with how... "big" they are per say.. I'd rather see that money spread about a bit better supporting other team members to let them have more off season time to shine and get better vs having to run a 9-5 and still try and hit a few tour stops to make ends meet.

Contracts like Simon's are a marketing contract. He still is good, but he sells discs. Paul sells discs, and is good. Eagle is good and sells discs. Thats why they getting money.

Ken built the company and at that time back long long ago, there wasn't a ton of money in it. And the way it was impressed onto me was that they never really ever updated his royalties with any discs that had his name on them. He was just getting penny's still per disc.

Back in the 80's that was probably pretty hot because we could buy gas at like 50 cents a gallon.
But if the contract was never re-negotiated, or set in a way that was not allowed to be. then. .. He was pimped.
 
Sounds more like he was dumb as hell and refused to force Innova to renegotiate. Which I'm guessing is why paul left to discraft, they thought they had the next Ken they could exploit. McBeth going to discraft sent shockwaves through the hobby, just think what kind of waves would've happened if the 10 Time World Champion(just putting 10 as an era appropriate number) had switched to discraft?
Just sounds like he was/is bitter at the amount of money in the biz now vs when he was active, plus a healthy dose of poor business instincts.
 
Fistymcbuttpuncher said:
Sounds more like he was dumb as hell and refused to force Innova to renegotiate. Which I'm guessing is why paul left to discraft, they thought they had the next Ken they could exploit. McBeth going to discraft sent shockwaves through the hobby, just think what kind of waves would've happened if the 10 Time World Champion(just putting 10 as an era appropriate number) had switched to discraft?
Just sounds like he was/is bitter at the amount of money in the biz now vs when he was active, plus a healthy dose of poor business instincts.
Click to expand...

That's close to my personal take on it.
 
Fistymcbuttpuncher said:
I just don't understand why he was so hands off on the community aspect after he couldn't play. He just disappeared and the only way to ever see his name is on an innova disc or in context of 'the old days'.

I just don't see his name being a big enough draw nowadays to justify a manufacturer giving him a custom line(ala McBeth/Simon). In 'the old days' he put eagles/rocs/teebirds/firebirds on the map, but in modern times(past ten years) they can/will sell just fine without his name attached. Especially since Innova has broken the 'only one sponsored pro per mold' rule they seemed to cling to during the patented days.

A 'KC Teebird' is no different from a F2 Champ Teebird and you can get a 'Teebird' from literally every manufacturer now(same for any of the other KC molds).
Like the Sexton Firebirds, they didn't sell like hotcakes because of Sexton's name, they sold well because players have been screaming for more premium options for Firebirds for like a decade at that point. Same reason McBeth Roc3's sold so well, people had been wanting champ rocs that weren't $30+ for decades.

I think holding onto KC was just a relic of the Patented era when they really didn't need to try too hard to maintain marketshare. Now that they actually have to try to compete against MVP/Discraft/HOD, they're finally shaking things up(and have been for a while to be fair), but this was loooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooong overdue in my opinion.

Like they should've done this when McBeth won his 3rd/4th.
Click to expand...
It is hard to believe this, but there was a time when social media influencer, youtube content creator nor corporate sponsored spokesperson were not a viable means of making a living. The answer to your question is ....he had a job.
 
my understanding ........after his arrest on posession charges Innova paid his legal bills (or supplied lawyers) and hushed the whole business with K.C. forfeiting his future royalties as repayment for legal bills. sure beats prison and all that entails.
 
Fistymcbuttpuncher said:
Would it have really hurt his career? Isn't there a convicted murderer still touring?
Along with plenty of out-and-proud bigots.
Click to expand...
This was quite a while ago, IIRC. People still had shame back then. It wouldn't have been a good look for KC

Now, what about this convicted murderer thing? Da fuq?
 
i don't know the particulars of Florida law over the past 25 years but i believe there were several states who had potential life sentences for all drug charges. i would definitely have given up those nickles for a free ride VS possible hard time. now is a completely different time and attitude than say 20 yrs ago.
 
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