I guess nowadays if your older than 25 and didn't turn pro you get the man-am label and I'm guessing companies would rather pick up some kid that's young and up and coming so kids can be hyped on em when they turn pro - the same it was six or seven years ago when Paul Rodriguez, Spanky, Brian Herman,Bieble,Leo Romero, Brian Wenning, etc were ams and lest say if they were to turn Daniel Castillo pro who would really buy his board? Its all about who's young and marketable that kids would be stoked on the buy their boards. But I don't see why you can't turn pro after 25, Ron Allen did at 28(I think) and he's still ripping now at 40+(I recently seen him ripping the Berkely park) Koston ,Guy, Rick Howard,Ricky Oyola, Bobby Puleo, Josh, Kalis are all still ripping to this day. It sucks for Joey I hope he finds something solid.