Skatepunk

Eric Koston is not only "the best," or one of the best skateboarders who ever stepped on a skateboard, but he is one of the nicest, most considerate people I've ever known. And so of course, now that he's signed on with Nike, I'm conflicted. I want Eric to do well -- if anyone in skateboarding deserves it, it's him. But having Eric riding for the single biggest non-skater-owned parasite in skateboarding sucks. It looks like skateboarding is "here to stay" this time, but I can't help but remember the last three times that skateboarding shrunk and Nike bailed out on skateboarding and skateboarders. And if "little" companies like etnies or DVS can put up $200,000 for contests, as ways of supporting skateboarding, shouldn't Nike be able to do a little more? They're a thirteen billion dollar company... The stick and ballers who only stepped into skateboarding to make money are buying the soul right out of skateboarding. They are buying legitimacy from skateboarders who have a price. That price is high for some, obviously, and that's why to a certain extent I understand it -- would I turn down a $5 million contract over 10 years? Probably not. Don't confuse this with not appreciating capitalism, I just would've hoped that skaters are more aware than most people and would've let their dollars speak for them. Anyway, a sad day for me... and Nike can still suck it.

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