Snowboarders Break Away From USSSA To Land Lucrative Deals

Clark Protecting Sponsorship Portfolio As Member Of “The Collection”

The marketing of U.S. snowboarders is examined by Liz Clarke of the WASHINGTON POST, who notes elite snowboarders can earn from $300,000-1M a year, as much as 90% of that coming from endorsements. Agent Bob Klein said that while U.S. Ski & Snowboard Association (USSSA) members receive about $25,000 in annual benefits, they must “surrender the right to sign endorsement deals with nearly 50 categories of products and companies to avoid conflicting” with the USSSA sponsors. Clarke notes a group of boarders led by Olympic Gold Medalists Ross Powers and Kelly Clark broke away from the USSSA and formed a group called the Collection, “largely ... to preserve [a] lucrative portfolio of sponsors.” Octagon Dir of Olympics & Action Sports Peter Carlisle, who reps the Collection, said, “In order to survive and function in the sport of snowboarding, these kids have to think entrepreneurially. ... If you didn’t assemble your own portfolio or sponsors, you’re not a professional, and you’re going to work in a restaurant.” Clarke notes Silver Medalist Danny Kass, “snowboarding’s biggest star who is not a member of the Collection,” along with his brother Matt, founded Grenade Gloves, a sports outfitter bringing in $1M annual sales. In addition to sports wear, Grenade Gloves produces videos, including a “snowboarding rockumentary” called “Smell the Glove” (WASHINGTON POST, 12/13).

Koznick No Longer A Member Of U.S. Ski Team

KOZ & EFFECT: Also in DC, Barry Svrluga noted skier Kristina Koznick competes in the U.S. Ski Team’s uniform, “but she is no longer a member” of the team. Five years ago, she “severed ties with the team,” and her father, Jeffrey Koznick, said that her disagreements with the team were “over organization, communication and training procedures.” Svrluga noted assistant coach Dan Stripp was fired from the team following the ’00 season “at least in part for his burgeoning relationship” with Kristina. Stripp is now Koznick’s independent coach and boyfriend, although both say that the personal relationship “didn’t take off until after both left the [U.S.] team.” Koznick sells T-shirts on her Web site, www.koznick.com, and solicits corporate sponsorships and private donations in order to pay for the $250,000 annual cost of running Team Koz. Jeffrey Koznick: “I haven’t spent a penny” (WASHINGTON POST, 12/12).