CrossFit Founder & CEO Steps Down After Inflammatory Comments About George Floyd

In leaked audio from a company meeting, now-former CEO Greg Glassman could be heard saying he and his staff are “not mourning for George Floyd.”

Former CEO of CrossFit Greg Glassman talks to employees in Washington D.C./ Getty Images
Former CEO of CrossFit Greg Glassman talks to employees in Washington D.C./ Getty Images

Founder and CEO of CrossFit Greg Glassman stepped down Tuesday after facing backlash over tweets about George Floyd and coronavirus, as well as incendiary comments heard in leaked audio from a virtual company meeting. 

Glassman replied to a tweet on Saturday from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation that said “Racism and discrimination are critical public health issues.” Glassman’s tweet read, “It’s FLOYD-19.” In a second tweet, he wrote, “Your failed model quarantined us and now you're going to model a solution to racism?”

Glassman posted a statement Tuesday on the CrossFit website saying he was retiring from his position as CEO and that he “created a rift in the CrossFit community and unintentionally hurt many of its members.”

“I cannot let my behavior stand in the way of HQ’s or affiliates’ missions,” Glassman continued. “They are too important to jeopardize.”

Over the weekend, Reebok announced it would end its 10-year relationship with CrossFit, citing “recent events.”

“Our partnership with CrossFit HQ comes to an end later this year. Recently, we have been in discussions regarding a new agreement, however, in light of recent events, we have made the decision to end our partnership with CrossFit HQ,” Reebok said in a statement to Footwear News.

Before Glassman tweeted Saturday, audio from a virtual company meeting earlier that day of the CEO talking about Floyd was obtained by BuzzFeed News, which published his comments as well as portions of the recording. In response to a Minneapolis gym owner who asked why the company had not addressed the death of Floyd or the wave of protests across the country, Glassman is heard saying, “We're not mourning for George Floyd — I don't think me or any of my staff are.”

He continued, according to BuzzFeed News: “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.”

During the meeting, Glassman also pushed a conspiracy theory involving Floyd and former police officer Derek Chauvin, who faces a second-degree murder charge after arresting and choking Floyd. Glassman brought up an unsubstantiated theory that the two were part of a money laundering scheme through the nightclub where they both had previously worked security in Minneapolis.

“It's very interesting that George gets popped with counterfeits, and who comes but the head of security from the dance club? It’s very interesting. Watch, this thing's going to turn into first-degree murder,” Glassman said in the recording shared by BuzzFeed News.

Glassman also said during the recording that coronavirus lockdowns were only to incite “panic.”

Several CrossFit athletes and affiliated gyms have since publicly condemned Glassman’s comments and cut ties with the brand.

Tia-Clair Toomey, competitive CrossFit Champion, posted an Instagram video saying she is “incredibly saddened, disappointed, and frustrated with the actions and words of Crossfit HQ and in particular Greg Glassman.” She added, “My future with Crossfit is unclear and depends on the direction of HQ.”