Reebok has cut ties with CrossFit over outrage at a “racist” recent tweet from the fitness organization’s CEO.
“Our partnership with CrossFit HQ comes to an end later this year. Recently, we have been in discussions regarding a new agreement, however, in light of recent events, we have made the decision to end our partnership with CrossFit HQ,” Reebok said in a statement emailed to FootwearNews. “We will fulfill our remaining contractual obligations in 2020. We owe this to the CrossFit Games competitors, fans, and the community.”
The statement continued, “What doesn’t change is our commitment and dedication to CrossFitters and the passionate CrossFit community. We’re so thankful for the strong bonds we’ve created with coaches, box owners, and athletes around the world over the past 10 years. We want to especially thank Dave Castro, Nicole Carroll, Andy Stumpf, Steve Weiss, and Jimi Letchford, who were instrumental in ensuring Reebok was welcomed by the community so that we could do our part to help more people improve their lives through fitness.”
On Saturday (June 6), CrossFit CEO Greg Glassman tweeted “It’s FLOYD-19” in a response to a tweet from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation classifying racism and discrimination as a public health issue.
The tweet was branded insensitive and racist by social media users. A Change.org petition calling for Glassman’s resignation has acquired more than 1,100 signatures at the time of publication.
Glassman, who has since stepped down, apologized for his “mistake” on Tuesday.
“I, CrossFit HQ, and the CrossFit community will not stand for racism. I made a mistake by the words I chose yesterday. My heart is deeply saddened by the pain it has caused. It was a mistake, not racist but a mistake,” Glassman said via the @CrossFit handle. “Floyd is a hero in the black community and not just a victim. I should have been sensitive to that and wasn’t. I apologize for that. I was trying to stick it to the @IHME_UW for their invalidated models resulting in needless, economy-wrecking, life-wrecking lockdown, and when I saw they were announcing modeling a solution to our racial crisis, I was incredulous, angry, and overly emotional. Involving George Floyd’s name in that effort was wrong.”
Floyd, a Black man, was killed after a white Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes on Memorial Day. Former cop Derek Chauvin was charged with second-degree murder and manslaughter. If convicted, Chauvin faces 40 years in prison.
Glassman’s statement continued, “It’s our hope that his murder catalyzes real change resulting in a level playing field for our black brothers and sisters. Please hear me when I say, we stand by our community to fight for justice. I care about you, our community, and I am here for you.”