Maloof Money Cup Has Successful Debut, Pays Almost $500K

The Maloof Money Cup in Costa Mesa, California, made for a "special weekend for skateboarding, as it marked a vastly successful entry into the sport" by NBA Kings co-Owners Joe and Gavin Maloof, according to Pete Thomas of the L.A. TIMES. Skateboarder Bucky Lasek, who finished third in the skateboard vert contest and earned $20,000, said, "It just goes to show what you can put together when you have guys like that, and money is no problem." The Cup paid out $478,000 overall, and skateboarder Paul Rodriguez, who won the men's pro street championship, earned $100,000, the "top payout of the three-day competition." Skateboarder Pierre-Luc Gagnon, who earned $75,000 for winning the pro vert competition, said he has "never made as much money off of one contest." Thomas notes Rodriguez' prize was "double what ESPN's X Games paid street winner Chris Cole" in '07. But Joe Maloof said that he is "not trying to show up the X Games." Joe Maloof: "I just think it's time for skateboarding. I know it's a lifestyle and not considered a sport. But it's time for these guys to make some money. What's wrong with that?" (L.A. TIMES, 7/14). In California, Shawn Price notes the Maloofs "followed the wishes of top skaters in building the $220,000 dream street and vert courses that the athletes raved about all weekend" (ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, 7/14).