Ovechkin not renewing CCM endorsement

[DarkStar50 679]

I know some DC area dealers that sold a ton of CCM product due to OV. Location, location, location.

[interpathway 9]

Back when I worked at Sports Authority every kid looking for a hockey stick would want the ones with the "OVECHKIN" namebar. Don't underestimate national influence based on your own town's experience.

[MLSman 22]

Like DarkStar said...go to the greater VA area...and every proshop was loaded with Ovey gear. CCM was big at Kettler.

Not anymore.

[jimmy 194]

Like DarkStar said...go to the greater VA area...and every proshop was loaded with Ovey gear. CCM was big at Kettler.

Not anymore.

I can see VA and Wash areas being big OVI fans, that's his territory and fan base, but in the northeast not so much. Like I said, he's actually hated up here and dad's won't let their kids buy his endorsed products. IMO he was pretty much a dud while with CCM in OUR area.

[JR Boucicaut 3805]

This is becoming pointless.

[VakarLajos 5]

Do you really think OV brought in that many sales? I can't recall in all the years he was with CCM where his endorsement actually brought people in for a product. In fact, he's really hated around here and I think he hurt sales, not helped. Unlike Crosby, totally different. I remember once, Crosby had a RBK undergarment on during a between period interview, next day, tons of requests for it, same with his hats.

Actually, yes. Ovechkin does bring in sales. When I was in NY, Ovechkin was THE number one player kids wanted to skate like, look like, play like, etc. Crosby was #2. Aside from Crosby and Ovechkin, there really isn't a NHLer that comes close to being a household name or crossover talent.

And seeing as Reebok/CCM has Crosby, then I don't see them replacing Ovechkin with anybody of that stature.

[top 1974 0]

I predict the Bauer Ovie1000OneHundredTenPercent will retail at 1999$ for spring 2012.....

[RiSeOnFiRe 0]

Clearly gonna be the TotalEight line. or TotalCrazyEight

[aarondevera 0]

I don't think Bauer should treat him any differently than they have Stamkos, Toews or the Staals. I mean, who am I to say how Bauer will market their gear, but an Ovi-exclusive line would be wrong on principle.

[General 0]

I don't think Bauer should treat him any differently than they have Stamkos, Toews or the Staals. I mean, who am I to say how Bauer will market their gear, but an Ovi-exclusive line would be wrong on principle.

I didn't like the Ovi-exlusive line that CCM did. Sure they might have seen a spike in sales, but for the people who don't like Ovechkin they aren't going to think about buying anything from the line.

[boldfacecole 0]

. Yeah this pretty much seals the deal in my mind he gonna be with Bauer. Good nice vid as well

[sharks25 9]

He already announced he was with Bauer... The had a giant press conference and painted him on the side of an escalade.

[XveritasX 13]

The one things that does interest me with this deal is that Ovechkin is such a big name I would have to assume Bauer will have a retail curve with his name. I'm hoping they bring a new curve to retail, for example with Toews they used the p14 curve from the mybauer program.

[jimmy 194]

I didn't like the Ovi-exlusive line that CCM did. Sure they might have seen a spike in sales, but for the people who don't like Ovechkin they aren't going to think about buying anything from the line.

You are correct. We never saw any "spike" in sales from people who were star struck by OV. OVI line produced no more sales than the regular line. For some reason, he seems to be hated by more than those who like him. Unlike Crosby, who is just more like-able all-around, by just about everybody. Bauer would be better off just naming a stick pattern after him. Perhaps his endorsement might do well at chain stores like Sports Authority, a place where a serious hockey player would never shop, where items might sell by those who only follow hockey occasionally.

[boldfacecole 0]

He already announced he was with Bauer... The had a giant press conference and painted him on the side of an escalade.

Oh, really? Well, i completely missed that! Thanks haha!

[5 Minute Major 1]

hmmmmmmm

[C.SLO5 0]

hmmmmmmm

Really? Just....hmmmmmmm?

[jbyun04 7]

. Yeah this pretty much seals the deal in my mind he gonna be with Bauer. Good nice vid as well

I can picture it already... every 12 year old kid who saw that video is going to pick up an APX in store and tell his dad that he found his weapon.

[Quintin 16]

Isn't Ovi's weapon not the stick but himself?

[TeamBlue96 3]

........chain stores like Sports Authority, a place where a serious hockey player would never shop, where items might sell by those who only follow hockey occasionally.

When i'm in stores like that here in PA (Schuychill Valley Sports, Modells, Dicks, Dunham, etc.)I'll always take a peek. I've been surprised their selection sometimes...back in the day when i lived in Philly...the one Sports Authority by me carried the first generation Synergies, TPS Rubbers, and even TPS responses....Even better is that all these places have some nice coupons or card to use to accumulate points :)

[zachary 2]

When i'm in stores like that here in PA (Schuychill Valley Sports, Modells, Dicks, Dunham, etc.)I'll always take a peek. I've been surprised their selection sometimes...back in the day when i lived in Philly...the one Sports Authority by me carried the first generation Synergies, TPS Rubbers, and even TPS responses....Even better is that all these places have some nice coupons or card to use to accumulate points :)

From what I remember when I lived there Modells carried pretty good stuff. Granted I was 8 so it's hard to remember and I know Dicks carried first gen Syns.

[JR Boucicaut 3805]

Yeah, let's not generalize or anything here, Jimmy...

Despite "everyone" hating Ovechkin in your neck of the woods, at a national level he is more marketable than Crosby. He's an extrovert, Crosby is an introvert. Ovechkin had one of the best ESPN commercials, Crosby SUPPOSEDLY had one that, searching on the Internet, Penguins fans don't remember it, let alone find it.

Not ONLY that; he was a better company man than Crosby is; would use whatever they wanted him to. Keep in mind, Crosby wouldn't even use their stick until two seasons ago (Sher-Wood Momentum shaft and blade, then the same shaft in Reebok graphics (that's what happens when you share the same OEM), and his deal started in 2005.

Maybe Reebok/CCM realized that when they marketed two high-end SIGNATURE skates/protective (10.0 SE, U+CL OVI, Vector 10 OVI) and a starter equipment line around Ovechkin and the only thing they have done around Crosby was a single stick (9k Gold) and dare-I-say-it...big box store starter equipment for children (SC87 line).

Hell, Ovechkin was getting paid less than him. But they did more with him. Why?

[jimmy 194]

I don't think I'm generalizing. I'm just basing my comments on my actual dealing with the public over the entire time OV was with CCM. I just didn't see any obsession with OV with our customers, no one came in looking for the "OV" skates or equipment, no one called to see if we had the new "OV" whatever. Never heard a customer or kid or adult say, they saw OV wearing something and wanted it. No one came in drooling over the new OV stick. Not one ever asked for the latest OV crazy light skates. IMO, and in my retail store, I don't think the OV endorsement effected sales. However, we did see the opposite with Luongo, Crosby, Bergeron, etc and the other endorsees. Not saying in other parts of the country he had an impact, but for us he didn't. I really wish he did, but nope. Heck, Bergeron wearing his jersey tucked in in the back, exposing the 9k pant had more effect than OV.

[skyscrape 5]

After trying out a lot of sticks and skates, I would have to say I do not believe bauer even needs to consider an ovi line. Skate sales and threads APX/Total One VS. U+CL? I always see Bauer. Stick sales and threads X:60/APX/Totalone vs. U+CL? Bauer gets the edge. Helmets? I think that is up in the air. Equipment? I do not see Ovi's choice making a difference. I know TSR id doing SMU P08 curves in both hands and all flexes, so to me that would be about all they would need to do. The best part is, let him off the leash a little bit and try not to put him in a position above anyone else in Commercials. Let the guy breath, let him be himself, and I think he will have a hell of a season! But that is just me.

Let him enjoy being a young stud in the game and he will produce great numbers using your equipment which in return will sell even more of the equipment that people love already! I have a buddy who is playing in the SPHL this upcoming season. He has hated Bauer forever! I told him Ovi was signing with Bauer. A day later he starts asking me, do you like your APX skates? Then, "I think I will go try a pair on". He will never admit it, but Ovi is the guy he really models his game after.

[DarkStar50 679]

At the end of the day, OV had three choices:

1. Stay with CCM. Not likely given that experience had run the table for him.

2. Try Easton. Maybe the OPS would have been a success story but skates and protective were not likely to make a marriage between the two work.

3. Go to Bauer, the last major player in the skate, OPS, protective equipment field that could fit OV head-to-toe, supply product he was previously satisfied with, and provide a marketing program commitment with that both parties profit from.

This deal between Bauer and OV has easily been in the works for quite some time. Bauer has launches ready to roll with OV sooner than we think. They have already started. Win, win.