Rogue Fitness, a main supplier of CrossFit equipment and the official supplier of the CrossFit Games, is distancing itself from the CrossFit brand after CEO Greg Glassman tweeted an insensitive remark about George Floyd and the current Black Lives Matter protests happening around the country.
On June 6, Glassman responded to a tweet that called racism and discrimination “critical public health issues that demand an urgent response.” Glassman’s reply read, “It’s FLOYD-19.” The tweet refers to George Floyd, a black man who died on May 25 when a police officer knelt on his neck for over 8 minutes.
The Rogue Fitness statement simply begins, “Rogue does not support the latest statements made by the CrossFit CEO, Greg Glassman.” The brand went on to call the comments “unacceptable under all conditions.”
In the statement, Rogue Fitness also outlined action steps to distance from the CrossFit brand. The brand stated that the Rogue Invitational will remove the CrossFit logo from the 2020 online event. The brand also said it will work with the CrossFit Games leadership to determine the “best path forward,” and will fulfill equipment obligations through the 2020 season in order to support the greater CrossFit community.
The end of the statement reads, “The future is dependent on the direction and leadership within CrossFit HQ. Rogue has been the equipment provider since 2010 and we believe it is part of our DNA. We hope there is a path forward. We stand behind the community.”
Since Glassman’s tweet, brands, gyms, and athletes have been ending their affiliations with CrossFit. Reebok recently issued a statement ending their partnership with CrossFit after the 2020 season. CrossFit pro and CrossFit Games four-time champion Rich Froning also released a video on Instagram saying he doesn’t “condone or support” the comment made by Glassman, adding that the CrossFit CEO’s words “alienate and divide.”
The CrossFit community around the country has also taken action, with some affiliated gyms even changing their names to exclude “CrossFit.”
A spreadsheet circulating among fitness communities on Reddit lists gyms around the country that are dropping “CrossFit” from their names and denouncing the brand. At press time, more than 250 gyms were included on the list.
Read the full Rogue Fitness statement below:
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