Giving What Exactly?
So, iPath has launched it’s inaugural BMX team (under the leadership of Mike Aderlean, who’s had luck with skate shoe companies in the past). All I know about iPath is that they now sponsor Bob Burnquist and Doug Wimbush endorsed them for a while. What I’m saying is, I don’t really have a dog in this fight except that I’m always amused and confused when a non-BMX company starts marketing to BMXers. You know what happens. First it’s “they’ll leave when the money’s gone,” yes, because they’re for profit businesses, that’s what they do, they make money. Even if they were rider owned they’d leave when the money’s gone, nobody’s trying to give you shit for free. (It should be pointed out that this argument is selective. When Haro announced Allen Cooke as their new brand manager kids younger than Haro stormed the internet to talk about how they’re horrible.)
Which is why in this round of “you suck, leave us alone!!!!” The “they just take and don’t give back,” cries stuck out to me. Give back what, exactly? No, seriously, can someone answer me this? They make a product, that if you like, you buy. So they’ve given you a consumer good. They have a team which, I’m assuming, is getting paid either a salary or in free/reduced priced goods. So, they’re giving riders a way to move out of they mamas’ houses. They’re probably going to sponsor contests/events, maybe put out a video or two (web or otherwise) so that’s helping out promotors and giving entertainment.
So, what else does any company need to “give” to BMX? I guess the argument can be made that they take business away from BMX owned brands. Both of them (oh, let’s be honest, have you ever seen a pair of SCG shoes in real life? Put your hands down if you actually know Steve Caro). It’s a valid argument, I guess. It’s horrible from a consumer choice standpoint, but I can see the argument. But this “give,” thing. What is it? No, seriously, I’m confused and intrigued by what level of giving does a company need to be legit? Someone enlighten me.
