By JAN CARLO ANOLIN
CrossFit owner Greg Glassman has sold his fitness company to Eric Roza after stepping down from his post following the backlash over George Floyd remarks.
CrossFit’s Dave Castro introduced Roza to the crossfit community Thursday as the incoming owner and CEO.
Roza, a crossfit veteran, also announced the recent development the same day on social media.
Terms of deal were not disclosed.
“Since I discovered CrossFit 10 years ago, it has changed my life, and I am deeply honored to have the opportunity to lead CrossFit through its next chapter as CEO and owner, following the closing next month,” Roza, founder of CrossFit Sanitas in Boulder, Colorado, said in a statement.
On June 9, Glassman quit the company and announced his retirement following the “FLOYD-19” tweet response to the Health Metrics and Evaluation, which classified racism and discrimination as a public health issue.
Floyd, a black man, died in police custody last May 25 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
“In the past weeks, divisive statements and allegations have left many members of our community struggling to reconcile our transformative experiences in the local box with what we’ve been reading online,” Roza said.
Sports footwear giant Reebok announced it would end its partnership with CrossFit later this year and more than 1,000 affiliated gyms, including CrossFit Magnus, have reportedly left the company.
“My view is simple: Racism and sexism are abhorrent and will not be tolerated in CrossFit,” Roza said, adding that he’s open arms to everyone and will work hard to “rebuild bridges with those whose trust we have lost.”
CrossFit has over 13,000 gyms in more than 120 countries, generating some $4 billion in annual revenues.
“I come to you with deep humility and the realization that we have hard work to do. I am committed to listening, I am committed to learning, and I am committed to leading positive change. Most of all, I am committed to CrossFit and to you, as a member of our community,” Roza said.
