CrossFit Chief Executive ‘retires’ following backlash over comments about George Floyd's death

With numerous partners and affiliates severing their links with the company, CrossFit Chief Executive Greg Glassman has reportedly stepped down and retired from the exercise regimen he founded.

Glassman stepped down after athletes, gyms and sportswear firms cut ties with his US$4 billion brand following a comment he made on Twitter about the death of George Floyd and the resulting protests.

Glassman's departure followed BuzzFeed News having subsequently obtained audio from a Zoom call, during which Glassman allegedly said "we're not mourning for George Floyd," and shared conspiracy theories about him.

This followed an earlier backlash over Glassman's weekend tweet about the death of Floyd, which prompted several business partners to sever ties with CrossFit.

On Saturday, in response to a tweet from the research centre Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, which stated “Racism is a public health issue”, Glassman tweeted “It’s FLOYD-19”, in reference to the killing of African-American George Floyd, whose death has sparked a global protest movement.

Glassman (pictured above) went on to say “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!’”

Following the tweets, Reebok, the official outfitter of the fitness program, announced they would end their partnership.

On Monday, Glassman issued an apology, stating “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.”

This apology was not accepted by many of the brand’s partner gyms and collaborators, Morning Chalkup, a CrossFit newsletter, is reporting that over 1000 affiliated gyms intend to end their relationship with CrossFit.

Greg Glassman retires. Dave Castro to assume role as CEO of CrossFit, Inc. https://t.co/QOj6XTYuFt

— CrossFit (@CrossFit) June 9, 2020

Tuesday saw Buzzfeed report that in a private, 75 minute Zoom call with gym owners and staff, hours before his tweets on 6th June, Glassman recounted unfounded conspiracy theories about the death of George Floyd, and the origins of the coronavirus pandemic.

In a recording, obtained by BuzzFeed, which published audio excerpts of the private call, Glassman said “I was asked by the Italians, ‘What would you do, coach?’ And I said: ‘I would agree to any restrictions put on me by the health authorities, and I would open my gym, and then 10 minutes later I would do whatever the fuck I wanted. That’s what I would do.’

“We’re not mourning for George Floyd - I don’t think me or any of my staff are.”

In response to the Buzzfeed report, CrossFit headquarters yesterday (Tuesday 9th June) published a letter titled “Why didn’t CrossFit just say something?”

In the letter it stated: “Greg’s statements were incredibly insensitive and hurtful. Please accept our deepest apology … This team is anti-racist. Therefore, we are committed to scrutinizing ourselves internally, continuing to listen to the community, and taking actions in support of change.

“Greg believes in equality. Greg made a mistake. His communications will have to be reconciled with the person we know. He is being put on trial online, and we challenge you to be thorough in your review of a man who is imperfect but sincere in his love of helping others to become better while creating opportunities for others to do the same.”

The letter also describes Glassman as “responsible for delivering a life-changing and paradigm-altering truth. The methodology he created provides an elegant solution to the problem of chronic disease ravaging our world today. He is passionately focused on that message and its implications. He relentlessly attacks those who dilute or deny essential truths.”

In a later message on the CrossFit website, Glassman’s exit was described as “retirement”, publishing a statement from Glassman that advise “on Saturday I created a rift in the CrossFit community and unintentionally hurt many of its members … Those who know me know that my sole issue is the chronic disease epidemic. I know that CrossFit is the solution to this epidemic.”

The company states they have over 15,000 affiliate gyms around the world, in 150 countries, including over 500 in Australia, 6,000 in the United States and 3,000 in Europe and the United Kingdom.

Glassman will be replaced Dave Castro, the Director of the CrossFit Games.