🫰 "Sponsorship is a privilege" - McBeth

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DISCUSSION
“We’re Salespeople”

There I was on Thanksgiving Eve. I was buying mystery boxes I couldn’t afford, and the soon-to-be overcooked turkey was getting brined.

Then all of a sudden, I saw the latest Partee podcast released and new dad Paul McBeth was on it. I dropped everything to hear what the GOAT had to say.

He didn’t talk much about new fatherhood or his 2024 plans. Instead, he gave us a peek into the complicated world of player contracts.

Should more contracts be made public? Will this benefit or hurt the sport?

Unlike the NFL or MLB, our sport doesn’t “fluff up” the numbers in player contracts. Hidden within McBeth’s 10YR $10M guaranteed cash are his bonuses and royalties.

He could be making double, triple, or even 5x that amount depending on the year. As an example, McBeth estimated the fluffed-up version of Ricky Wysocki’s 4YR $4M contract.

If Wysocki somehow won half his events, his contract could actually be 4YR $20M. Like in reality, Isaac Robinson doubled his cash earnings at this year’s Worlds.

For his win, the PDGA paid him $30k while Prodigy nearly matched it through his bonus structure (The Upshot). But to answer the question, it came down to “it depends.”

For every large public number, there are more 1YR $10k contracts that include travel expenses and entry fees. Every player’s wants and needs are different, so it’s all personalized.

What advice would you give to those already on or joining the tour soon?

For pros, there are 2 ways to be successful in our sport. You either win or have an engaged fan base.

It’s no surprise that those at the top of the popularity charts have both (Lizotte, Tattar, & Heimburg). But for those who don’t, McBeth recommended focusing on performance over social media.

The bottom line: We like to put touring pros on a pedestal with endless critiques and commentary. But in reality, the love of the game still drives many out there on the road.

Should we rethink our viewpoint on contracts and touring pros? Is the gap between the very top and the majority bigger than we think?

POWERED BY POWERGRIP USA
Fresh Plastic

👉 Powergrip’s Highlight: Clash Double Steady Wild Honey (12|5|-2|2)
This latest release might be the only thing that can stop MVP’s GYROpalooza and Time-Lapse hype train.

At 11 AM ET Friday (12/1), Clash’s 1st overmold disc drops in the Wild Honey mold. It’s made of 2 distinct components, each with its own color: A double helping of premium Steady plastic.

Out of the box, this will be a bomber for the average thrower. It has the perfect combination of turn and fade that is heavily sought after in the blue Honey prototypes.

Note: This is an extremely limited release with only a couple thousand made. Clash has no current plans to run this unique disc again.

So set an alarm or reminder, and be ready with Powergrip USA. You don’t want to miss your chance to outdrive your buddy’s new Time-Lapse.

2024 FIXED, STIFF PUTTS, & PRODIGIES
Random Triples

1️⃣ As I’m sure you’ve heard by now, the PDGA has rescheduled the Champions Cup “for real this time.” So let’s put an end to this unnecessary story:

• After 6 days of complaints, the PDGA realized they “failed” to listen to the players

• Instead of severing the Europe Tour, the event is back to its original dates of April 25-28, 2024 (between Music City Open and Dynamic Discs Open)

• It’ll take place at Northwood Park in cold, wet, and windy Illinois

So was this the right move? Most pros think so, especially those choosing to tour Europe. And the “wooded” Major gets to continue its theme with 4 rounds at one of the thickest tracks.

After all, the Tour is at its best when everyone is playing together. There will still be fragmentation with simultaneous events, but at least those hopping the pond don’t have to skip out on a Capital M Major.

2️⃣ This season, Gannon Buhr broke the C2 putting percentage record. His putter found the bottom of the basket 40.4% of the time from outside 33 ft.

On The Nick & Matt Show, he revealed what he believes contributes to that crazy stat. Besides his unique left hip draw, he putts nose down with very stiff plastic putters.

Buhr purposefully putts hard and firm to get his “slick putter” through the 1st layer of chains and stuck by the remainder. To him, soft putters slap the chains and roll out.

So if your Eraser Wizards or Zero Medium Pures have been failing you, then make the switch over to their stiffest, slickest versions instead.

3️⃣ If you’re in a slump and have been looking for a morale boost, then I’ve got bad news. The latest prodigy from New Zealand is improving faster than you.

8-year-old Sarah Wadsworth (Little Miss Disc Golf) is the current FJ08 World Champ, WFDF U8 distance record holder, and just PR’d 269ft. Even the esteemed Coach Chris Taylor believes her 360 form is “looking very good.”

Meme of the Week

Thanks for reading today. Get out and play a new course this week!

- Charlie