Which Surfer Turned Down A $5M/Year Deal With Nike?

Surf history tends to be written partly in carefully crafted edits and partly in whispers over drinks, or in beach parking lots.

We’re usually more fascinated by the latter. And really, who isn’t impervious to a bit of gossip? The trick is getting heads to talk, especially the well-guarded, attention-allergic, or just generally suspicious of our intentions. Quite often, that’s the bulk of the work.

Mikey C’s one-on-one with Sam McIntosh here is exactly that kind of conversation, and it’s one that could probably live permanently as a hyperlink next to the How Surfers Get Paid: Agents & Managers episode. You’ll catch some little extras here, and if you don’t have a Premium subscription, you won’t walk out a displeased customer either.

Sam talks about the most recent episode and gives a bird’s-eye view of the series so far, and digs into stories like getting (constantly) beaten by Taj as a junior — a rivalry that turned into a seminal friendship and, ultimately, helped shape this platform. He spills on accidentally ogling seven-figure deals left on boardroom tables, Grant “Twiggy” Baker’s new Rip Curl deal at 52, and how the South African’s own episode of How Surfers Get Paid may have moved the needle enough to make it happen.

Mikey’s also sharing a 20% discount for Stab Premium. Valid for this week only.

On that note, get tickets to EAST Fest while they last, and take the Stab Audience Survey to maybe win surfboards, fins, wetsuits, boardshorts, and Stab Premium subscriptions.