The Head Of CrossFit Told Staff On A Zoom Call, "We're Not Mourning For George Floyd"

[catbyte]

In a recording obtained by BuzzFeed News, Greg Glassman can be heard sharing wild conspiracy theories about Floyd and the coronavirus.

Ryan Brooks BuzzFeed News Reporter
David Mack BuzzFeed News Reporter

Posted on June 9, 2020, at 5:33 p.m. ET



Hours before he posted a controversial tweet on Saturday night that has sparked backlash for his company, Greg Glassman, CrossFit's CEO and founder, told gym owners on a private Zoom call, “We're not mourning for George Floyd — I don't think me or any of my staff are,” according to a full recording of the meeting obtained by BuzzFeed News.

“Can you tell me why I should mourn for him? Other than that it’s the white thing to do — other than that, give me another reason,” he asked a Minneapolis gym owner who had questioned why the brand hadn’t posted a statement about the protests across the country after the death of George Floyd.

The 75-minute Zoom call, which was sent to BuzzFeed News via its secure tipline, was a part of an initiative that CrossFit had started after the coronavirus pandemic shuttered gyms across the country. CrossFit affiliate owners who spoke with BuzzFeed News said they were invited at random to the check-in calls over the past three months with Glassman and other CrossFit headquarters staffers.

The call was held hours before Glassman responded to a tweet on Saturday night that called racism a public health issue, writing, “It’s FLOYD-19.” His tweet drew immediate backlash from gym owners and caused Reebok to end a partnership deal with the company. CrossFit subsequently posted an apology on Glassman’s behalf, calling his words “not racist but a mistake.”

https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/ryancbrooks/crossfit-ceo-founder-zoom-greg-glassman-george-floyd

[jpak]

1. He looks like an asshole too

Yup

[USALiberal]

14. LOL, ok! nt

[Docreed2003]

2. "Other than that's the white thing to do"

Um...IDGAF what that company says or how they try to cover for him, that dude is a raging racist, bigot...screw him and his company

[dalton99a]

3. Glassman resigns

https://morningchalkup.com/2020/06/09/glassman-resigns-castro-in-as-ceo/

[MagickMuffin]

6. Glassman (Assman) has not made clear his role within the company

Just he is no longer the CEO.

One big thing: The details are unclear about the full scope of what Glassman’s involvement with regards to ownership and influence within the company is going forward. If the extent of the change is simply Glassman stepping aside while still maintaining sole ownership of the company, then as the sole owner or even majority owner if he gave up some stake, he would still stand to profit considerably from the company’s future development and legally retain full control of the company at his discretion. It’s unlikely that the move would equate to real change in the eyes of the community, and multiple sources have confirmed as much.

[Blue Owl]

4. Fuck that dumbbell

I hope his shitty company finds itself under the knee of social justice.

[Nevilledog]

5. See! I knew exercising made you crazy!!!

[kysrsoze]

7. Bye, Felicia. Idiots... all they have to do is keep their yaps shut, but they're compelled

to be assholes.

[guillaumeb]

8. You are not 15. Turn that hat around.

Or, even better, put it in your mouth.

[Marrah_Goodman]

9. Say good-bye to your business, asshole

[sheshe2]

10. His face and neck sure are red.

Looks like be is about to blow.

[JDC]

11. Looks more like he's into BarFly than CrossFit

[monmouth4]

12. Took my thoughts right off my keyboard. First thing I thought was he's a drinker..n/t

[matt819]

13. Apologies

Why do they even bother?

They don’t mean it. The only thing they’re sorry for us getting caught.

No one believes them anyway.

Sure, sometimes people misspeak. It happens.

But the recent occurrences are genuine, dyed in the wool racism. This guy. The USNA alumnus. No end of police. The Bon Appetit guy. The anti bird watcher in NYC. The firefighter with the racist t-shirt in West Virginia. Their apologies are meaningless. They are no less racist today than they were before they were “caught.” Why do they do it?