I always thought that it was an interesting choice.
I always assumed he also didn't like where he ended up in the big CI roster.
Yeah, he probably thought he could be the #1 American guy on JS. Didn't seem to go the way he hoped.
So, just to clarify, the Stab video that keeps getting referenced was some of the big shapers saying they no longer are able to pay their top guys $$$ to ride for them (unlike how they did in the 90's-00's AI-era heyday), and now just give them as many boars as they want as that adds up to tens of thousand $s per year for many of them. The ones who said this were Mayhem, DH, and Britt Merrick. Pyzel said that's the case for his team, except JJ who was given a % ownership stake in the brand, and presumably gets a royalty for every ghost sold. But maybe JS does pay riders? Not sure why those shapers (plus surfers like Mick, Jordy, Taj, and others interviewed) would bother to lie about it, but who knows. Maybe there is a huge industry-wide conspiracy! Either way, who cares?? The entire episode was entertaining. I'd listen to a podcast with Jordy and DH just savaging others.
Album Matt talked about sponsoring/paying guys, starting with Kerr, in an article about how shapers market alt-boars, I think Panda Shiitake and a couple others were interviewed. It was posted somewhere way back on this thread. I don't think anyone has actually suggested otherwise. There's already plenty of other stuff to hate about the brand. I am kinda surprised how big his team is getting now, and it doesn't seem like some ( Marzo and maybe Freestone) have worked out that well. Hard to argue that Kerr, Asher, VB, and now Margo aren't a great fit. Will be curious to see what they come up with for Jai.
edit: just found
https://stabmag.com/features/inside-the-alternative-surfboard-marketing-machine/
"What about payment. You throwing any cash at your top riders?
Album: Yeah, we do. If a surfer has helped develop a model that is successful, and is out actively promoting that model, then I think royalties are deserved. The incentives of that arrangement work both ways. I would love a world where board manufacturers were able to completely support their riders, rather than have them rely on a bunch of other sponsorships. "