Skate Mental Team Update

[shannamal]

I’ve already stated this extremely unpopular opinion, but I do think it’s pretty wack when dudes who have no interest in pushing themselves or skating professionally, continue to give themselves or accept pro boards, ie: like half the Crail roster. 

Shit, at least Gonz is still charging and putting his body on the line.  And I know the argument is that legendary pros who greatly influenced skating deserve it, the same way Jordan still sells jerseys.. but there’s a big difference between the influence and contributions of Michael fucking Jordan, and most of these dudes in their 40s who were the shit for a 5-10 year span in the 90s.

i'm not being sarcastic this time, but, is he? where? every clip i've seen in the last few years is him dicking around in the streets of NYC (which, for what it's worth, is exactly what i think he should be doing.)

[Sativa Lung]

It’s an old graphic but could mean something.
Eric is almost 50 and would be silly
To not use that history/nostalgia at girl to sell some decks.

I saw Cliver in the first slide. Koston of SM, on SL.

[Atiba Applebum]

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It’s an old graphic but could mean something.
Eric is almost 50 and would be silly
To not use that history/nostalgia at girl to sell some decks.

[close]

I saw Cliver in the first slide. Koston of SM, on SL.

This was the most important thing I saw in the pics

[Dustgod]

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Why would Koston start funding his friends joke board company with its best days behind it? I always assumed Nike was putting money towards it like when they told Trevor Colden to leave Mystery for SM. Hell Staba was on Savier so he knows a thing or 2 about Nike shadow companies

[close]

if you deem this as wrong then are you gonna knit pick at every other skateboarder over the age of 44 who shifted the needle that still has a place on a board brand? Arto? Geoff? Penny? Lance? Gonz? I hope Koston lands somewhere worthy of him.

[close]

Yes definitely. The continued hanging on diminishes previous accomplishments

[close]

    What’s the difference between his goofing around on a board and Gonz’s?   

I never said there was one

[Robert Baratheon]

If your name sells skateboards, it should be on one.

There is no argument for not selling Howard, Carroll, Koston, Mariano boards. They are legends and most likely sell as well or better as the current pros.

There are no ‘roster slots.’ This isn’t football. If Crail wants to sell Jeron, Mike Mo, Crob, and Justin Eldridge boards who cares? Who knows what they are actually getting paid. They aren’t preventing anyone, that deserves it, from getting on.

[Atiba Applebum]

If your name sells skateboards, it should be on one.

There is no argument for not selling Howard, Carroll, Koston, Mariano boards. They are legends and most likely sell as well or better as the current pros.

There are no ‘roster slots.’ This isn’t football. If Crail wants to sell Jeron, Mike Mo, Crob, and Justin Eldridge boards who cares? Who knows what they are actually getting paid. They aren’t preventing anyone, that deserves it, from getting on.

Plus no one has any idea if they’re getting a check AND royalties or just royalties

[swanronson]

Why would Koston start funding his friends joke board company with its best days behind it? I always assumed Nike was putting money towards it like when they told Trevor Colden to leave Mystery for SM. Hell Staba was on Savier so he knows a thing or 2 about Nike shadow companies

Lol why would Nike give any info to Brad Staba of all people about how they operate their business. I highly doubt he has connections to anyone at Nike other than the skate department.

[Coastal Fever]

If your name sells skateboards, it should be on one.

There is no argument for not selling Howard, Carroll, Koston, Mariano boards. They are legends and most likely sell as well or better as the current pros.

You really think the majority of Crail board buyers are buying those decks because they’re loyal fans of those guys?  I think it’s more likely the average Crail buyer just likes the graphics and content being put out by their younger, active riders.  I could be wrong though and would be very curious to see that data if it existed.

There are no ‘roster slots.’ This isn’t football. If Crail wants to sell Jeron, Mike Mo, Crob, and Justin Eldridge boards who cares? Who knows what they are actually getting paid. They aren’t preventing anyone, that deserves it, from getting on.

The endless list of deserving skaters they’ve failed to promote says otherwise.  Sure, Rick and Mike probably never promised these guys anything.. but they prob did instill some false hope.  At the end of the day it’s their company and they can do what they want.  But I have every right to slam them for keeping Brophy boards in the lineup while letting guys like Carlos and Antonio linger on flow.

[Robert Baratheon]

Crail flow guys aren’t under a contract. If they can get a better deal somewhere else, they should take it. And some have. I don’t think it’s because a legacy pro had to retire first. Just because a dude gets on somewhere else doesn’t mean that Crail ‘blew’ it.

Also, all of the other board brands do the exact same thing as Crail with flow guys. It’s well documented.

[Coldpizza]

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If your name sells skateboards, it should be on one.

There is no argument for not selling Howard, Carroll, Koston, Mariano boards. They are legends and most likely sell as well or better as the current pros.

[close]

You really think the majority of Crail board buyers are buying those decks because they’re loyal fans of those guys?  I think it’s more likely the average Crail buyer just likes the graphics and content being put out by their younger, active riders.  I could be wrong though and would be very curious to see that data if it existed.

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There are no ‘roster slots.’ This isn’t football. If Crail wants to sell Jeron, Mike Mo, Crob, and Justin Eldridge boards who cares? Who knows what they are actually getting paid. They aren’t preventing anyone, that deserves it, from getting on.

[close]

The endless list of deserving skaters they’ve failed to promote says otherwise.  Sure, Rick and Mike probably never promised these guys anything.. but they prob did instill some false hope.  At the end of the day it’s their company and they can do what they want.  But I have every right to slam them for keeping Brophy boards in the lineup while letting guys like Carlos and Antonio linger on flow.

I can’t speak the average Crail fan, but the last few boards I’ve bought from them have been Howard, McCrank, Carroll, and Kennedy. It’s probably my age (turned 40 this year) but I like still being able to skate something like a Howard board. Just cuz the band doesn’t play anymore doesn’t mean you can’t wear their shirt.

As a side note, I actually think they have great boards.

[Big Baby Jesus]

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If your name sells skateboards, it should be on one.

There is no argument for not selling Howard, Carroll, Koston, Mariano boards. They are legends and most likely sell as well or better as the current pros.

[close]

You really think the majority of Crail board buyers are buying those decks because they’re loyal fans of those guys?  I think it’s more likely the average Crail buyer just likes the graphics and content being put out by their younger, active riders.  I could be wrong though and would be very curious to see that data if it existed.

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There are no ‘roster slots.’ This isn’t football. If Crail wants to sell Jeron, Mike Mo, Crob, and Justin Eldridge boards who cares? Who knows what they are actually getting paid. They aren’t preventing anyone, that deserves it, from getting on.

[close]

The endless list of deserving skaters they’ve failed to promote says otherwise.  Sure, Rick and Mike probably never promised these guys anything.. but they prob did instill some false hope.  At the end of the day it’s their company and they can do what they want.  But I have every right to slam them for keeping Brophy boards in the lineup while letting guys like Carlos and Antonio linger on flow.

[close]

I can’t speak the average Crail fan, but the last few boards I’ve bought from them have been Howard, McCrank, Carroll, and Kennedy. It’s probably my age (turned 40 this year) but I like still being able to skate something like a Howard board. Just cuz the band doesn’t play anymore doesn’t mean you can’t wear their shirt.

As a side note, I actually think they have great boards.

Same. Bought a girl board because it was a Howard mouse graphic. Wood is great IMO.

[144p]

The argument about “putting your body on the line” is so damn tired. There are literally thousands of talented no name kids who can do every trick on demand. It doesn’t warrant endorsements or even for any of us to care. Gen x and millennials are very much driven by products and nostalgia. Skateboarding or the industry of it is an older activity. Of course we still want a Koston Girl board. It’s about what he did, and if he still skates some that’s great but I don’t need him or anyone else to prove to me they still got it. I just wanna feel some type of way about a clip of him and remember.
It’s a toy, not Major League Baseball.

[Coastal Fever]

I never said skateboarding was a sport and whoever can do the hardest tricks at the moment should be rewarded.  I understand there’s a sentimental aspect to it.  I’m 37 so I’m a millennial myself.. but personally, I’d rather see someone who’s killing it now get the contract deals and royalties over someone who’s made their cash, owns companies, has other income streams, etc.

I think the up and comers these days are getting shafted by market over-saturation and short attention spans.  If someone like Durao came up in the early 2000’s doing the insane shit he’s doing, he would’ve been a household name and also gotten the privilege of being a “legacy pro”.  But I feel like the days of legacy pros are gone.  GT and Ishod deserve to be in that category, but will they be?  Will they have boards out long after they slow down like the Crail camp dudes?  Time will tell but I’m not convinced.

[Shortys Hardware]

I never said skateboarding was a sport and whoever can do the hardest tricks at the moment should be rewarded.  I understand there’s a sentimental aspect to it.  I’m 37 so I’m a millennial myself.. but personally, I’d rather see someone who’s killing it now get the contract deals and royalties over someone who’s made their cash, owns companies, has other income streams, etc.

I think the up and comers these days are getting shafted by market over-saturation and short attention spans.  If someone like Durao came up in the early 2000’s doing the insane shit he’s doing, he would’ve been a household name and also gotten the privilege of being a “legacy pro”.  But I feel like the days of legacy pros are gone.  GT and Ishod deserve to be in that category, but will they be?  Will they have boards out long after they slow down like the Crail camp dudes?  Time will tell but I’m not convinced.

Considering they both skate for companies who have guys with pro boards who are well in their 40's and no longer in their prime, yes......

[shannamal]

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I never said skateboarding was a sport and whoever can do the hardest tricks at the moment should be rewarded.  I understand there’s a sentimental aspect to it.  I’m 37 so I’m a millennial myself.. but personally, I’d rather see someone who’s killing it now get the contract deals and royalties over someone who’s made their cash, owns companies, has other income streams, etc.

I think the up and comers these days are getting shafted by market over-saturation and short attention spans.  If someone like Durao came up in the early 2000’s doing the insane shit he’s doing, he would’ve been a household name and also gotten the privilege of being a “legacy pro”.  But I feel like the days of legacy pros are gone.  GT and Ishod deserve to be in that category, but will they be?  Will they have boards out long after they slow down like the Crail camp dudes?  Time will tell but I’m not convinced.

[close]

Considering they both skate for companies who have guys with pro boards who are well in their 40's and no longer in their prime, yes......

Yeah, Max Schaaf has tried to quit multiple times, and Jim straight up won't let him not have a board. He's talked about it a few times in interviews

[Coastal Fever]

Alright fair enough, I’ll take the L on this one.  I shouldn’t fault any brand for doing what they want to do, and the market will speak for itself.

[Fraserjamesjollyjamieson]

Suprised no one put it in here but I’m pretty sure there was a welcome back Kosten board at the 30 years of girl thing

[jsettle]

Suprised no one put it in here but I’m pretty sure there was a welcome back Kosten board at the 30 years of girl thing

One of my homies just told me about that but i cant seem to find it. Hopefully someone screen grabs it and posts it up here.

[Atiba Applebum]

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Suprised no one put it in here but I’m pretty sure there was a welcome back Kosten board at the 30 years of girl thing

[close]

One of my homies just told me about that but i cant seem to find it. Hopefully someone screen grabs it and posts it up here.

It’s an old Heath Koston graphic

[j....soy.....]

Alright fair enough, I’ll take the L on this one.  I shouldn’t fault any brand for doing what they want to do, and the market will speak for itself.

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with feeling this way.  Alot of these examples are guys who have been on the team for years and didn’t quit…..so IMO it’s fair to question it. 

We don’t really know how it’ll play out, so I’m keeping an open mind…as much as I said he should just retire, it would be rad to see him on a few trips sprinkled in, maybe this is the best way to go out…

I sort of think this 30 year thing and post COVID/recession is going to transition a lot of people out….it’s an awesome book end to see them all together…..

[AxelFoley]

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Alright fair enough, I’ll take the L on this one.  I shouldn’t fault any brand for doing what they want to do, and the market will speak for itself.

[close]

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with feeling this way.  Alot of these examples are guys who have been on the team for years and didn’t quit…..so IMO it’s fair to question it. 

We don’t really know how it’ll play out, so I’m keeping an open mind…as much as I said he should just retire, it would be rad to see him on a few trips sprinkled in, maybe this is the best way to go out…

I sort of think this 30 year thing and post COVID/recession is going to transition a lot of people out….it’s an awesome book end to see them all together…..

I would think about this a bit differently. Should we stop listening to the Rolling Stones because they aren't innovating anymore? Because they aren't actively releasing new albums that had the impact they once had? We could be talking about them, or Nas, or insert whoever made a huge impact at one time. Ill never wonder why someone paid tickets to see a Rolling Stones show or bought a t shirt, even though I havent paid attention to anything they have done post 1985. I wont stop listening to a band because they aren't a band anymore or because there are newer bands out now. At one point these examples were at the forefront of a movement that affected a lot of people and things have aged well. Jordan still sells an insane amount of product considering he hasn't been in the league for a long time.
I mean, its still up for debate if it was Koston or Dan Perterka (spelling?, sorry Dan) who invented the crooked grind. Koston was part of the first group flipping their boards switch. Thats insane to think about. He has influenced countless people since 1991, wether you were a 101 fan, a girl kid, first vid was mouse, or yeah right, or started playing THPS, or like the berrics.
Having been around also I have personally seen these older pros far outsell the younger active ripping guys, depending on who we are talking about. Theyve been around longer and more people know of them, from the lifelong skaters to people who took a few years off and notice a Jeron board on the wall.  And hardgoods companies dont really have extra money to be wasting. If you see a board from a certain person being made, I am sure someone is buying them somewhere. And a company knowing they can sell a certain about of a Gino board, or a Koston board can help a company pay some bills, or potentially entertain flowing some new people from the income.
Ultimately yes, let the free market decide. But Ive seen all these people move product and continue to. They've had their magnum opus offerings that made a lasting effect on our culture. And it will continue when one day in 20 years there are still a ton of Ishod and Kader boards readily available.

TLDR: Legendary peeps move product and if they didnt, it wouldnt be made.

[roba]

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It’s an old graphic but could mean something.
Eric is almost 50 and would be silly
To not use that history/nostalgia at girl to sell some decks.

[close]

I saw Cliver in the first slide. Koston of SM, on SL.

[close]

This was the most important thing I saw in the pics

just wanted to say that this brought a tear to my eye

[Arto!Arto!WakeUp!]

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Alright fair enough, I’ll take the L on this one.  I shouldn’t fault any brand for doing what they want to do, and the market will speak for itself.

[close]

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with feeling this way.  Alot of these examples are guys who have been on the team for years and didn’t quit…..so IMO it’s fair to question it. 

We don’t really know how it’ll play out, so I’m keeping an open mind…as much as I said he should just retire, it would be rad to see him on a few trips sprinkled in, maybe this is the best way to go out…

I sort of think this 30 year thing and post COVID/recession is going to transition a lot of people out….it’s an awesome book end to see them all together…..

[close]

I would think about this a bit differently. Should we stop listening to the Rolling Stones because they aren't innovating anymore? Because they aren't actively releasing new albums that had the impact they once had? We could be talking about them, or Nas, or insert whoever made a huge impact at one time. Ill never wonder why someone paid tickets to see a Rolling Stones show or bought a t shirt, even though I havent paid attention to anything they have done post 1985. I wont stop listening to a band because they aren't a band anymore or because there are newer bands out now. At one point these examples were at the forefront of a movement that affected a lot of people and things have aged well. Jordan still sells an insane amount of product considering he hasn't been in the league for a long time.
I mean, its still up for debate if it was Koston or Dan Perterka (spelling?, sorry Dan) who invented the crooked grind. Koston was part of the first group flipping their boards switch. Thats insane to think about. He has influenced countless people since 1991, wether you were a 101 fan, a girl kid, first vid was mouse, or yeah right, or started playing THPS, or like the berrics.
Having been around also I have personally seen these older pros far outsell the younger active ripping guys, depending on who we are talking about. Theyve been around longer and more people know of them, from the lifelong skaters to people who took a few years off and notice a Jeron board on the wall.  And hardgoods companies dont really have extra money to be wasting. If you see a board from a certain person being made, I am sure someone is buying them somewhere. And a company knowing they can sell a certain about of a Gino board, or a Koston board can help a company pay some bills, or potentially entertain flowing some new people from the income.
Ultimately yes, let the free market decide. But Ive seen all these people move product and continue to. They've had their magnum opus offerings that made a lasting effect on our culture. And it will continue when one day in 20 years there are still a ton of Ishod and Kader boards readily available.

TLDR: Legendary peeps move product and if they didnt, it wouldnt be made.

Flip's best selling graphic by miles is cheech and chong, despite the fact penny was only a top-level skater for 3/4 years and they've had 3 SoTY's since his peak(ed beanie).

[Coastal Fever]

The Cheech and Chong board is Flip’s highest seller mostly because it appeals to everyone who’s ever picked up a bong and/or skateboard, not because of Penny’s name being on it.  Do you also think the Janoski SB’s unimaginable success is due to everyone loving his part in Mosaic? 

As for the Stones analogy… of course I don’t expect people to stop listening to them since they’ve past their prime.  It makes perfect sense to revisit their previous output that brings you feelings of nostalgia and joy.  Would I keep buying their new records if they fell off and phoned them in?  No, I wouldn’t.  I’d prefer to support new emerging artists that are currently working hard and creating fresh, exciting content.. and who actually need the financial support.  Not semi-retired company owners.

But again that’s just my opinion, and as evidenced by this thread, today’s legacy pros have many loyal fans who want to continue paying them, which is fine too.

[AxelFoley]

The Cheech and Chong board is Flip’s highest seller mostly because it appeals to everyone who’s ever picked up a bong and/or skateboard, not because of Penny’s name being on it.  Do you also think the Janoski SB’s unimaginable success is due to everyone loving his part in Mosaic? 

As for the Stones analogy… of course I don’t expect people to stop listening to them since they’ve past their prime.  It makes perfect sense to revisit their previous output that brings you feelings of nostalgia and joy.  Would I keep buying their new records if they fell off and phoned them in?  No, I wouldn’t.  I’d prefer to support new emerging artists that are currently working hard and creating fresh, exciting content.. and who actually need the financial support.  Not semi-retired company owners.

But again that’s just my opinion, and as evidenced by this thread, today’s legacy pros have many loyal fans who want to continue paying them, which is fine too.

Definitely different situations, I think some things just transcend skating. This is more to people questioning Koston's or Gino's or whoever's place/pro status in the industry, which we see a lot. And I'd equate using a board closer to buying a shirt than investing time into an album.
All being said I think its dope you specifically approach the active people as far as product. That makes a difference for that person for sure. Using the power of your dollar.