Industry

Patrick Vellner Leaves Reebok, Starts New Chapter with TYR

February 24, 2022 by
Photo Credit: TYR
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After five years as a Reebok athlete, four-time CrossFit Games podium finisher Patrick Vellner said it was “the right time for a change” and has signed a multi-year deal with TYR, the world-renowned swim brand who has moved aggressively into the CrossFit space in the last year.

  • “I’m super grateful for my time with Reebok. I prefer not to think of it as leaving Reebok, but joining TYR. I’m excited about their vision and commitment to athletes. They have a proven track record in other spaces and are all in on CrossFit,” Vellner said.

One big thing: Unlike Reebok, who had long been an apparel and footwear company prior to getting involved with CrossFit in 2011, TYR, known for their swimwear and sunglasses, is completely new to the apparel and footwear space. In fact, their CossFit training apparel and footwear hasn’t hit the market yet. 

  • For Vellner, this hasn’t been a deterrent. Instead, it has provided him an opportunity to provide feedback and “be a major part of the development of their training line, which is exciting,” Vellner said.
  • Corey Berger, TYR’s director of CrossFit and Fitness, said TYR is “on track with the timelines” for the release of both their apparel and footwear, and are “really excited to be working with some of the best athletes in the sport to bring it to the community.”

Joining Vellner: Other Games athletes who have signed multi-year head-to-toe deals—meaning apparel, footwear, swimwear, sunglasses and other accessories—include 2021 Games rookies Emma Cary and Lazar Dukic, as well as Gui Malheiros and Travis Mayer.

  • Meanwhile, TYR swim equipment and sunglass athletes is a long list of Games athletes: Will Moorad, Noah Ohlsen, Amanda Barnhart, Bethany Shadburne, Annie Thorisdottir, Josh Bridges, Saxon Panchik and Meg Reardon.

The big picture: After being the most prolific apparel company in the CrossFit space for a decade which included being the title sponsor of the Games from 2011 until 2020, Vellner leaving Reebok for a brand that has yet to prove themselves in the apparel and footwear space is further evidence that Reebok’s influence in the community continues to decline. 

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