CrossFit founder Greg Glassman steps down after George Floyd tweet backlash

He announced the news on Tuesday after a number of big-name sponsors, including Reebok, cut ties with the brand

A number of brands including Reebok have cut ties with CrossFit after CEO Greg Glassman's comments. Unsplash

Greg Glassman, founder and chief executive of CrossFit Inc, has stepped down after the brand was dropped by a number of big-name sponsors following his tweet about the death of George Floyd.

His resignation comes off the back of mounting pressure from the CrossFit community around the world, which was left outraged after he responded to a tweet from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation that classified racism as a public health issue, saying “It’s Floyd-19.”

A number of high-profile members of the CrossFit community spoke out against Glassman's tweet, and big-name sponsors including Reebok and Rogue have cut ties with the brand.

Shortly after the backlash began, Glassman issued a statement apologising for his comments, 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. Floyd is a hero in the black community and not just a victim. I should have been sensitive to that and wasn’t. I apologise for that.”

However, on Tuesday, Glassman announced he would step down as chief executive.  "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," he said in a statement, naming Dave Castro as the new CEO.

"CrossFit is a community — one that is global, diverse, and tough. Every person in our community shares a common bond. We are all dedicated to a visionary, transformative approach to health and fitness. Our individual passions for that approach have forged an enduring community," Castro said.

"Our community is hurt, though. Our shared bond brings together millions of people with differing opinions, viewpoints, and experiences. Friction is inevitable. Common ground, mutual respect, and fellowship must also be inevitable. I’m honoured to take on the role of CEO of CrossFit, Inc. I hope to do right by affiliates, trainers, athletes, and other members of the CrossFit community around the world and never lose sight of the mission Greg established for us all.”

There are more than 13,000 CrossFit-affiliate gyms across the globe, and UAE franchises are joining the movement to cut ties with the brand. These gym owners pay tens of thousands of dirhams in annual fees to CrossFit HQ to be associated with the sport and brand, but they are now reconsidering their affiliation altogether.

Vogue Fitness, the home of CrossFit Yas, with 10 CrossFit gyms across the UAE, quickly removed mention of CrossFit from all of its social media profiles yesterday.

Founder Billy Graham, says the team will be seriously reconsidering its affiliation in the coming weeks, but chose to remove CrossFit Yas from its name until the situation is rectified.

"It was a very simple decision for us to make," he told The National. "The outcome of the chief executive of CrossFit's comments did not align with our beliefs. We felt that removing the word CrossFit from our social media was an immediate action that we could take while we consider the next steps in our relationship with CrossFit HQ."