CrossFit Takes Reebok to Court

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“My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me.” — Jim Valvano

CrossFit Takes Reebok to Court

What happened?

Yesterday, CrossFit Inc. announced it was bringing a lawsuit against Reebok after they repeatedly failed to pay proper royalties to CrossFit and for hiding underpayments.



Currently Reebok is eight years into their 10 year exclusive license to sell apparel and shoes with the CrossFit trademark, in addition to sponsoring the Reebok CrossFit Games. That agreement is up at the end of 2019.

So what did Reebok do wrong?

As a part of this deal, which was inked in 2010, Reebok agreed to pay royalties on those CrossFit products they sold.



The thing is, they didn’t, according to CrossFit’s lawsuit. They allege that back in 2013, “Reebok began altering the way it calculated royalty payments.” Basically the formula they use to calculate how much they owe CrossFit, Inc. In addition, they didn’t disclose the new formula.

How much we talking here?



According to the lawsuit, at least $4.8 million. Reebok was also supposed to spend $51.75 million in marketing yet they’ve failed to produce evidence they’ve done so.

And apparently it’s not the first time Reebok has been hit with a royalties lawsuit.

The 2018 and 2019 CrossFit Games will still be under this exclusive partnership, but after that it’s open season for any brand to come in.

FOLLOW UP

CrossFit Riviera Part 2: An In-Depth Timeline of their Disqualification

Catch me up.

Yesterday, we told you that CrossFit Riviera, the team who won the 2018 Meridian Regionals, was disqualified for violating Rule 1.18, which says that “the Licensee of Record (LOR) for an affiliate may not compete on any team other than a team from their own affiliate.”

For those of you still tracking the story, we’ve put together a timeline of the events leading up to their disqualification.

Coffee Break Conversation

What to tell your friend who still hasn’t made dinner reservations for Fathers Day…

It’s cool, just take pops to Panera Bread. Turns out, they have a few paleo friendly menu items. There’s no secret handshake or anything. Just order the Greek Salad and hold the feta and dressing. Or, order the Protein-power Paleo Seasonal Greens Salad. Add avocado and chicken for extra deliciousness. Don’t let dad pay though. Unless he insists.

What to tell your girlfriend who doesn’t CrossFit when she can’t understand your WOD talk…

Here. This will help. One of our readers, Gonzalo Sanchez Sarmiento, made a CrossFit Glossary with over seventy terms, broken down by category. Some entries even have videos and extra data. (We love data!) You two can plan a date night in, making CrossFit flashcards. Maybe she’ll even try a WOD with you.

Things To…

WATCH: Diabetic Dad Finds CrossFit

Diagnosed with diabetes in 1995, 39-year-old Junior Smithen has faced an uphill battle ever since. When his doctor suggested bariatric surgery he knew he needed to take a different route: CrossFit. 

WATCH THIS. 

Hear: James Townsend on Parenting and Racism

James, a former wide receiver for the Chicago Bears, now spends his days crossfitting, lifting ridiculously heavy weights, and hanging out with his daughters. Here he covers what he thinks to be most important; being a father.

TUNE IN.

KNOW: Everything about the term Dad Bod

It’s got a more complicated history than we thought. The term has been here since 2014, but what does it even mean? How has it managed to stick around? And why is there no Mom Bod?

I’VE ALWAYS WONDERED.

TRY: SteadyMD and Doctors Who Share Your Lifestyle

Dr. Danielle DonDiego talks about why she joined SteadyMD’s boutique online primary care practice.  A weight lifter and former bodybuilding physique competitor, Dr. DonDiego specializes in family medicine, obesity and weight loss and is just one of several lifestyle-specific physicians on SteadyMD’s roster.

PS. THEY ALSO HAVE A CROSSFITTER.

BUY: 2018 CrossFit Games Nano Colorways

With this new drop of Nanos, Reebok’s just released the first look at athlete outfits color schemes for the 2018 CrossFit Games.

GO GET ‘EM.

Today’s edition of the Morning Chalk Up is fueled by

Chalk Up Community

• GET THEE TO AFRICA — There’s still time to book an African safari with VoyEdgeRx! Planned with the active traveler in mind, this five day safari includes a cage diving excursion with sharks, an ATV and sand boarding adventure in the desert, and a bunch of other wild stuff thats designed to get people a trip they have only every imagined. Make memories to last a lifetime! And maybe take us with you? Because seriously it looks super cool.
• THE DREADED DAD BOD — Reebok One trainers Paul Tremblay and Austin Malleolo want to revolutionize the Dad Bod so they took a minute to share how their fathers have inspired them and how they hope to inspire their children in kind. Here’s to fatherly fitness!
• TIP — Ben Bergeron lists his top ten things you should NOT be doing. First things first, don’t hit the snooze button.

CHALK UP IN 2 MINUTES (a highlight reel around social media of CrossFit pros and average joes)

Ellia Miller drops-in at CrossFit Jersey City while out of town for military training • Congratulations to Brooke at CrossFit FIF on her 60th training session. Brooke has really limited eyesight and is conquering her fears of box jump overs • Six-year-old JD rocks this obstacle course made by his dad John Gleich co-owner of St. Peters CrossFit • European athlete Zack George challenges you to this workout • Synchronized couple double unders for the win.

…and this is why we can’t have nice things. 

Bill Grundler: Up Close and Personal — “No one is perfect. No one has all their shit figured out. Even those that give inspirational advice or info to make your world better aren’t living the perfect happy life. I post and blog about how to keep your head straight and how to get more out of your world and your workout a bunch. And many times the posts are to ME. I’m using my coach hat to help me get through tough times, or to use positive self talk to keep moving in the right direction, or to keep myself from getting down. I think this is important for you to know because it’s easy to think that by
looking at or listening to someone that you are WAY behind the ball. You aren’t. We are all in the same place.”

Get Surgary Drinks Out of Hospitals — In most U.S. hospitals, patients can choose from vending machines full of candy and soda. Cafeterias serve dessert, juice and soda with most meals. One in five U.S. hospitals even houses a fast-food restaurant. Consider, also, the sugar laden “protein shakes” given to people recovering from surgery or illness or the sports drinks offered to patients. Those drinks boast a hefty 53 grams of carbohydrates. Hospitals have a duty to make people healthy. They must do better and they can start fulfilling that mission by banning sugary drinks.

Letter to My Younger Self, James Townsend, Morning Chalk Up

Dear Seventeen-Year-Old James, 

It’s Winter, 2002. You just became a Junior All American Football and Track athlete.

You’re walking tall.

People are talking.

“You hear about Jim Jim? He just got voted All American. He’s gonna get a full ride to play football, then headin’ off to the pros.”

Suddenly there’s hope. You don’t feel so poor any longer. You’re heading to the big time.

Every major college in the country wants you and you are destined for great things. You’re getting recruitment letters from Miami, Iowa, Ohio State, South Carolina, and Pittsburgh just to name a few. But James, even though you’re living the dream of every kid in South Jersey right now, we don’t go off to college. We don’t get that experience.

Things are about to change.  You’re going to become a father.

6/13: Granite Games Qualifier (Online)

6/16: Mayhem in Medford (Medford, NJ)

6/16: Battle on the Creek (Johns Creek, GA)

6/16: Full Battle Rattle (Robinson, IL)

6/16: East Coast War (Wilmington, NC)

6/19: Gauntlett VIII – River Rumble (Portsmouth, OH)

6/22 – 6/23: Urban Street Games (Rock Island, IL)

6/22 – 6/24: The Bacon Beatdown (Daytona Beach, FL)

6/23: Garage Girls CrossFit Grit (St. Simons Island, GA)

6/23: 2018 Summer Swolestice (Gresham, OR)

6/23: HAMCO Heat (McLeansboro, IL)

6/23: The Greenville Games (Greenville, SC)

6/23: The Burn Out (New Bern, NC)

6/23: Battle of the Border (Phenix City, AL)

6/23: Battle of a Beauty with a Beast (South Hadley, MA)

6/23: Clash for Cash (Wilkes-Barre, PA)

6/23: SuperFit Games (Lorton, VA)

6/23: Clash on the Concrete (Miamisburg, OH) 

6/23 – 6/24: Asbury Park Summer Games (Asbury Park, NJ)

6/23 – 6/24: The Dakota Games (Fargo, ND)

6/29 – 6/30: The Grinder Games III (Tall City, TX)

6/30: Summer Stampede (Bethlehem, PA)

6/30: Battle of the Ballpark (Seattle, WA)

6/30: Battle Between Boxes: Will Lift for Food (Des Moines, IA)

7/1: Strong As A Bear VI (San Rafael, CA)

7/4: 4th of July Throwdown Team Competition (Cullman, AL)

7/7: Barbellas (Anaheim, CA)

7/6 – 7/8: The Garage Games Junior Champion’s Invitational 2018 (Roswell, GA)

7/7: CrossFit Elgin Beach Brawl 2018 (Port Stanley, ON)

7/7: Capitol Takeover 2018 (Springfield, IL)

7/7 – 7/8: Railyard Riot (Lincoln, NE)

7/14: Mischief Revolution: Battle of the Brewery (Chicago, IL)

7/14: Mountain Town Summer Throwdown (Breckenridge, CO) 

7/14: Espirit De Corps 2018 (Vancouver, WA)

7/14: Belmar Beat Down (Belmar, NJ)

7/14: Atomic Throwdown (Kennewick, WA)

7/14: Fitness for Faith (Livingston, TN) 

7/14: Sweat Angel Showdown (Indianapolis, IN) 

7/14: Barmageddon (Oklahoma City, OK)

7/14: Red, White, and Blue Showcase (Kearney, NE)

7/14 – 7/15: 2018 Freshcoast Games (Muskego, MI)

7/15: The Buckeye Games (Akron, OH)

7/21: Second Annual Summer Showdown (Nicholasville, KY)

7/21: Swole Wars II (Burleson, TX)

7/21: Sacred Pines Invitational (Ladson, SC)

7/29: Bare Knuckles Weightlifting Meet (Broomfield, CO)

7/30: Legends of Lebo (Pittsburgh, PA)