Does Money Change Snowboard Pros?
So last week I wrote about Shaun White’s new brand and how he may have crossed the line into selling out by endorsing products like scooters and bmx bikes. That topic brings about another discussion:
Does money change pros? What is a sellout?
Here’s my take on it:
I don’t like the term sellout. It makes it seem as if a pro snowboarder is suddenly changing who they are in exchange for more money. I don’t believe that’s true. From every pro that I’ve met, competed with or am friends with, they are the people who they are, before money came into the equation.
What I’m saying is that I don’t think suddenly making more money or starting up a clothing brand suddenly changes the personality of pro snowboarders. Their parents are responsible for making them the people they grew up to be. I believe all that fame and money only exposes the true character of each pro. It shows the person that they always were and exposes their real characters.
There may be a lot of pros out there who make a lot of money and really do endorse ridiculous products and get drunk on their money and fame and let it get to their head, but there are also pros out there who make a lot of money, but are still the same chilled out, awesome people they were before they had money.
Fame and money just means more opportunities to see their true character, good or bad. I don’t judge a pro just because they make a lot of money, it has nothing to do with their character or personality.
– Jed
Agree/disagree? What’s your take?