CrossFit CEO Greg Glassman quits after leaked Zoom call catches him sharing wild conspiracy George Floyd was ‘silenced’
THE CEO of CrossFit has resigned after he told staff "we're not mourning for George Floyd", which led to huge brand names such as Reebok distancing themselves from the fitness giant.
Greg Glassman had also discussed conspiracy theories around Floyd's death, including that it involved counterfeit money.
The CEO had also responded to a tweet that called racism a public health issue, writing "It's FLOYD-19", in reference to the coronavirus.
Glassman, who founded the company, on Tuesday evening, saying he had created a division within the gym's
"community".
"I'm stepping down as CEO of CrossFIt, Inc., and I have decided to retire," he wrote. "On Saturday I created a rift in the CrossFit community and unintentionally hurt many of its members."
Just hours before he posted his "Floyd-19" tweet, Glassman had 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."
In the recording, which was obtained by BuzzFeed, he responded to a Minneapolis gym owner who had questioned why the brand hadn’t posted a statement about the protests across the US in the wake of Floyd's death: "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 continued: "I don’t think that there’s a general mourning for Floyd in any community."
Reebok had already ended a partnership with the gym network following Glassman's tweet on Saturday.
Before his Zoom call comments emerged, the former CEO had released a public apology saying: "Floyd is a hero in the black community and not just a victim.
“I should have been sensitive to that and wasn't. I apologize for that."
On the Zoom call, Glassman also discussed unfounded conspiracy theories around Floyd's death, primarily that he was killed to "silence him" over a counterfeit money operation.
“It's very interesting that George gets popped with counterfeits, and who comes but the head of security from the dance club?," he told the call's attendees.
"Watch: This thing's going to turn into first-degree murder. That's what it's going to turn into. And it's going to be because I'm predicting this.
"We have friends in the FBI in your neighborhood, and they're of the view that this was first-degree murder and it was to silence him over the counterfeit money. That's the belief. That's what the cops think.”
In his Tuesday statement, Glassman added: "Those who know me know that my sole issue is the chronic disease epidemic. I know that CrossFit is the solution to this epidemic...I cannot let my behavior stand in the way of HQ's or affiliates' missions."
Hours after the Buzzfeed story was published, CrossFit and Glassman announced his retirement.
The company also released a statement, saying it had "disappointed" its customers.
"Greg believes in equality," the statement added. "Greg made a mistake. His communications will have to be reconciled with the person we know.
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"He is being put on trial online, and we challenge you to be thorough in your review of a man who is imperfect but sincere in his love of helping others to become better while creating opportunities for others to do the same."
The statement continued: "He does make mistakes, but he has done more than anyone for this community and created unimagined opportunities for others.
"If you measure Greg Glassman, do it thoroughly."
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