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CrossFit CEO Steps Down After Defiantly Saying 'We're Not Mourning For George Floyd' On Staff Zoom Call
Greg Glassman, the CEO and head of CrossFit, faced severe criticism and several broken affiliations when he told gym owners on a private gym call:
"We're not mourning for George Floyd—I don't think me or any of my staff are."
Now—after recordings surfaced of him subscribing to wild conspiracy theories about Floyd's death—Glassman officially stepped down as the CEO of the internationally recognized fitness brand.
Glassman said after a Minneapolis CrossFit gym owner asked why the brand hadn't posted a statement in solidarity after Mr. Floyd's death:
"Can you tell me why I should mourn for him? Other than that it's the White thing to do — other than that, give me another reason."
There was also a series of inflammatory series tweets like these:
It's FLOYD-19.
— Greg Glassman (@CrossFitCEO) June 6, 2020
Your failed model quarantined us and now you're going to model a solution to racism? George Floyd's brutal murder sparked riots nationally. Quarantine alone is "accompanied in every age and under all political regimes by an undercurrent of suspicion, distrust, and riots." Thanks!
— Greg Glassman (@CrossFitCEO) June 7, 2020
Several brands and gyms began to cut ties with CrossFit altogether as a result of Glassman's posts and comments.
Wow. Reebok's brand partnership with Crossfit is over - and affiliates are outraged re CEO Greg Glassman's insensitive comments re #GeorgeFloyd
Given CF in general + Glassman in particular are not known for political correctness, this feels significanthttps://t.co/6ySK2thjS8
— Natalia Mehlman Petrzela, Ph.D. (@nataliapetrzela) June 7, 2020
Some Vermont gyms are cutting ties with the branded fitness regimen CrossFit following tweets from its CEO criticized as tone-deaf and insensitive. https://t.co/W09950SZrP
— MyNBC5 (@MyNBC5) June 10, 2020
YMCA leaders said they "will not partner with organizations or individuals that divide through their words or actions." https://t.co/72nVx7PeSb
— News 3 Now / Channel 3000 (@WISCTV_News3) June 10, 2020
Glassman then doubled down on conspiracy theories surrounding Floyd and the officer who killed him, Derek Chauvin, even after CrossFit posted an apology on his behalf.
.@CrossFitCEO: "I, CrossFit HQ, and the CrossFit community will not stand for racism. I made a mistake by the words I chose yesterday.
My heart is deeply saddened by the pain it has caused. It was a mistake, not racist but a mistake.
— CrossFit (@CrossFit) June 8, 2020
Glassman said:
"It's very interesting that George gets popped with counterfeits, and who comes but the head of security from the dance club? Watch: This thing's going to turn into first-degree murder..."
"That's what it's going to turn into. And it's going to be because I'm predicting this. We have friends in the FBI in your neighborhood, and they're of the view that this was first-degree murder and it was to silence him over the counterfeit money."
"That's the belief. That's what the cops think."
During the call, Glassman also made comments about the protests and riots in Minneapolis.
"I would prefer a trial of a murderer rather than burning the city down. I think that the law has a better response."
"I think burning your city to the ground and burning a police station to the ground because a cop killed what was very likely going to be a coconspirator in a counterfeit ring — I just don't get the burning thing."
"How about the Black cop that was killed?..."
"Burning the town down was wrong, killing the Black cop was wrong, and the Black-on-Black murder every weekend in every one of our cities is a tragedy."
This is disgusting. @CrossFit is cancelled until Greg Glassman steps down.
Also FYI it is called COVID-19 bc it originated in 2019.
So tone deaf, blatantly racist, and incredibly misinformed. https://t.co/skNlYVOpiR
— Alexis Smith (@alexizsmith_) June 7, 2020
Don't forget the racist and insensitive email that Greg Glassman (CrossFit CEO) sent too...it wasn't just the tweet. 😡 Please support ONLY gyms who are de-affiliating or have already de-affiliated.
You are VOTING with your dollars. pic.twitter.com/GkwgmN5iVj
— Cade Hildreth | LGBTQ+ (@CadeHildreth) June 8, 2020
A CrossFit affiliate reached out to HQ with concerns over their silence through Covid and the BLM movement. CrossFit CEO Greg Glassman responded by saying quarantine has impacted their mental health. Glad I've ended my connection with the sport. I'm disgusted.
— Cassandra Ambrosius (@CNVinch) June 7, 2020
After several more conspiracy theories—including the ever-popular "the coronavirus escaped a lab in China"—and a call that devolved into a state that one CrossFit affiliate called "beyond awkward," several brands and gyms began to break with the fitness giant.
Glassman's resignation came officially on Tuesday.
"I'm stepping down as CEO of CrossFit, Inc., and I have decided to retire. On Saturday I created a rift in the CrossFit community and unintentionally hurt many of its members."
"Since I founded CrossFit 20 years ago, it has become the world's largest network of gyms. All are aligned in offering an elegant solution to the vexing problem of chronic disease."
"Creating CrossFit and supporting its affiliates and legions of professional trainers has been a labor of love."
"Those who know me know that my sole issue is the chronic disease epidemic. I know that CrossFit is the solution to this epidemic and that CrossFit HQ and its staff serve as the stewards of CrossFit affiliates worldwide."
"I cannot let my behavior stand in the way of HQ's or affiliates' missions. They are too important to jeopardize."
Dave Castro, director of the CrossFit Games and co-director of training, will be taking over as CEO.
Officially statement from Greg Glassman on stepping down as CEO of CrossFit. Dave Castro to take over https://t.co/uUg9c9Odu5 #WEWS pic.twitter.com/3hqE5A7gOJ
— Derek Forrest (@DerekFSpx) June 10, 2020
Many people noted that even without being CEO, Glassman will still be profiting from the company he owns.
Greg Glassman stepping down as CEO (as he should) of CrossFit and Dave Castro stepping in doesn't negate the fact that Glassman still owns 100% of CrossFit and will still profit off affiliates and any future events pic.twitter.com/PRX32GYcq9
— Rhiannon (@RiRox003) June 10, 2020
this Dave Castro? pic.twitter.com/eKiB1zsJiQ
— Erin Kirby (@erinstinky) June 10, 2020
As over 1,000 affiliates and brands have broken from the fitness giant, Castro will have his work cut out for him.