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Okay, we are about 3ft and two sharks deep into JBay, so it’s only fair to go down the WSL rabbit hole in the latest, real-life Pro Surfing drama titled ‘Search for a CEO’. Fresh off a sweet, sweet victory on home turf, Yago Dora is still punting like he never lost a season due to a broken foot—mad man. Elsewhere, the League is still ghosting us. No news on the vacant seat at the top. No news on why Elo got the boot. Vice versa, no news from Elo on why he and the WSL are no longer lovers.
The rumor mill, though, is still working over time. Did he? No, he didn’t! But is he? There’s no way!
So let’s give people what they’ve asked for! An industry guy to wear the WSL CEO’s hat. Granted, we’re talking a whole lot of hypotheticals, but let’s pretend the two-pronged interim CEOs, Chief People & Purpose Officer Emily Hofer, and Chief Operating & Legal Officer, Bob Kane ( how about those job titles), have shortlisted three candidates who;
- Know the industry better than anyone
- Surf
- Have never seen an Oprah Winfrey show in their lives
My three names list of invitees for a WSL fruit salad and Zoom meeting are; the winner of the comment sections – Kelly Slater, Bob Hurley (the actual smart choice) and the outta-left-field wildcard, who, no doubt, would stir the pot – Barton Lynch.
What would these three names bring to the WSL? Pros and Cons, and why none of them will end up in the League’s corner office?
Here goes nothing!
First up, the people have spoken. Congratulations, Kelly, you got the job. Imagine the former Jimmy Slade (Kelly’s Baywatch character) and play-pal of Pam Anderson taking on the top seat of the organization he has been carrying on his back since the 90s. But could he swap his perpetual tan for the pallor of fluorescent office lighting?
Slater’s resume is impressive. It includes everything from an unbroken winning streak and eleven world titles to chia seeds products, a sustainable clothing company mortal people can’t afford, indestructible boards with funny names, sandals, and, of course, making waves in a pool, literally.
It wouldn’t get more core than Kelly. And that’s apparently what people want – someone who actually surfs. He surfs pretty well for an old-ish man, but he also golfs better than most people with a corporate job, and we all know that all the big deals in business get done out on the fairways. Although, Kelly might need to learn to sink a few scotches after the round to close a contract.
There are a few problems, though, with Kelly at the helm. For starters, Slater, with his notorious disregard for wearing shoes (no, sandals don’t count), might just be too unconventional for an organisation trying so hard to impersonate an American flag football league. But his Achilles’ heel may be his love for the waves themselves. If you think Kelly will host press conferences and sponsorship events in Brazil when Couldbreak is 6-8ft and cooking, you’re silly.
Another name requested by the keyboard experts is Bob Hurley. Now, this makes sense. Bob Hurley is as business savvy as they come. Responsible for the success of not 1, not 2, not 3, but 4 surf companies. Hurley is the most accomplished name on this list. The guy literally has a legacy brand named after him, which trumps Kelly’s statue in Cocoa Beach by about 150 miles.
There is more. Bob isn’t just a great entrepreneur, he is also an excellent shaper, which means he is well-versed in handling tools – in and out of the office.
As good a candidate as Bob Hurley is for the job, the probability of him ending up as the CEO of the League is about as low as the chance of Zeke Lau requalifying for the tour next year. He is building sandcastles (and high-tech gear) with John John Florence, his sons and Pat O’Connell at Florence Marine X. They have a good gig going, and you don’t break up the band when things are working, unless, you are One Direction.
So next.
The last name on my irrelevant list is Barton Lynch. He only made the cut because of the WSL’s decision to pivot the business into a drama-laden soap story. Ultimate Surfer first, Make or Break second, the appointment of one of the League’s biggest critics third.
It’s an Oscar-worthy plot (twist).
Lynch is a fan favourite. The sharp-tongued savant has charisma and wit for days, is well-connected and respected in the industry, and isn’t afraid to throw punches.
Lynch could turn the WSL into an episode of The Stoked Bloke Show and clean out the house to bring some cheeky excitement back to the WSL. He strikes me as a guy who would throw a shark into a kiddie pool, so imagine, for a second, the thrill of Lynch’s notoriously cheeky commentary turned executive decisions?
If that’s not fun, I don’t know what is.
But beards usually don’t make it into corner offices, so when all is said and done, Phil from Nebraska, who looks good in a suit, wears shoes and cleans up nicely is looking like a likely candidate. He missed out on Forbes 45 under 45 list by one spot, river surfs occasionally, and threw a shaka once, back in 2018 on a family holiday to Waikiki. Should we be surprised if this guy gets the job to run professional surfing?
Let’s go, Sports!
