The mass exodus from Innova this off-season has left many disc golf fans scratching their heads, wondering what exactly is going on out in Rancho Cucamonga. Well, if the recent signing of Hailey King is any indication, it’s the following:
Innova is going all-in on its FPO team.
After five years with the manufacturer, King’s sudden departure from Discraft in early January was an unexpected event. Not only would she be leaving her contract a year early, but before the start of the 2021 season, she’d signed a two-year extension – by all accounts, she was content.
Given the current state of professional disc golf, though, nothing is permanent.
In Hailey’s case, this is a good thing.
On January 10, with many thinking Innova had no plans to bring onboard any new talent after Ricky Wysocki’s departure, King announced she’d signed with Innova Champion Discs. To date, the monetary details of her contract haven’t yet been released, but Innova itself has reported that King’s been signed to a one-year deal.
What we lack in specifics, however, is made up for by the “big-picture” implications of Innova’s nabbing of King’s services – they want to make it perfectly clear that Team Innova has the most imposing FPO force on the planet.
Take a closer look at their lineup, and it’s easy to see why …
Eveliina Salonen is second in the UDisc FPO World Rankings. Henna Blomroos is fifth. And wouldn’t you know it, King is fourth. That’s not even taking into account veteran Jennifer Allen, as well as five-time World Champion and 2021 DGPT “Rookie” of the Year, Juliana Korver.
Again, for the time being, it’s only a one-year gig for King. But Innova likes to bring onboard young talent and keep ‘em around for a good, long while: Paul McBeth, Nate Sexton, Gregg Barsby, Philo Brathwaite, Steve Brinster, Jay Reding, Barry Schultz, Ken Climo, etc.
Including McBeth, do you associate these disc golf names with anything other than Innova?
Of course not.
The list goes on and on and on …
In 2021, after taking down a shocking four (insert audible gasp) National Tour events, King won the 2021 National Tour Elite Series Title – the youngest to ever do so at only 19 years of age.
On a global scale, the side of Team Innova with two X chromosomes is prepped and ready to wreak havoc on the FPO field. Is it even possible that Catrina Allen be next to join the ranks?
Her new sponsorship announcement sure is dragging on …
Time will tell.
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