"The surf world has given up on me. It's a small world and there is this image that all the big bosses of every surf company have of me. I'll remain sponsorless from a major surf company the rest of my life."
That was Bobby Martinez just yesterday.
Martinez took the ASP's Rookie of the Year in 2006 and since then, has run hot or cold. After a No. five finish his first year on tour and a No. eight in 2009, he occupied the No. 20 slot at the end of last season. But you certainly can't argue with four world tour victories -- the Billabong Pro Mundaka twice and the Billabong Pro Tahiti, also twice.
Martinez surfed for Reef early in his career. When it was time to renegotiate in 2008, Reef offered him less money and Martinez walked. Next came a deal with O'Neill. Early in 2010, Martinez told me he was happy with the support team that O'Neill had to offer and he was thankful to be with the first "real" surf company of his career, like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders.
But his relationship with O'Neill only lasted a year. The O'Neill camp's official stance is that they can't discuss specifics on athlete contracts, but are huge fans and supporters of Martinez.
"Thank God for Monster (Energy) or I'd be f---ed," he continued, "Monster has given me an opportunity to eat and travel to the events, so they keep my dreams alive."
It's not that he's being low-balled. Martinez has become more outspoken over the years and he feels the surf industry now wants to keep distance. There simply aren't any offers.
"There're lots of companies outside of surfing that I love. If they were ever serious about sponsoring me, that would be an honor, and I would be more than happy to have an opportunity like that," he said, "As far as I know, my manager has been looking for a sponsor for a number of years now. I trust him and believe he wants to see me happy."
Martinez's manager is Bryan Taylor, an L.A.-based agent who handles athletes, actors, artists, and writers. Martinez has been with Taylor since 1995.
"Bobby has been sponsored by a few different surf companies, but those relationships have been like oil and water," offers Taylor, "He's so marketable. You just need a specific type of company that knows what Bobby has to offer. He's not your typical surfer. It's just a matter of finding the right partner."
Taylor explains that for a non-endemic company to sponsor Bobby, they would not only have to promote him to their audience, but also in the surf media, which makes it twice as expensive.
"He marches to the beat of his own drum and that's admirable," says Taylor, "He has his own feelings and he expresses those feelings freely. He wants to win, but he wants to win on his own terms."
This year, Martinez has been on a steady rise back. He currently holds the No. 14 slot after an abysmal result on the Gold Coast, a step up to equal 13th at Bells and then beating Kelly Slater at the Billabong Pro Brazil to nail an equal 5th. He's also been back to riding Channel Island sticks.
Full story at : ESPN Surf
