BREAKING: Donn Cabral to Hoka!

per twitter btw:

https://twitter.com/HOKAONEONE/status/829812124419518466

I believe he raced in their singlet at the armory last week or two weeks ago, so this seemed like just a matter of time. Surprised Nike let him go so easily. Can't imagine Hoka has that much money to throw his way, and the rest of their runners are second tier or on the decline. That being said, he probably didn't have that much value to Nike as a non-contender globally not in a marquee event and no real presence on social media.

I believe he raced in their singlet at the armory last week or two weeks ago, so this seemed like just a matter of time. Surprised Nike let him go so easily. Can't imagine Hoka has that much money to throw his way, and the rest of their runners are second tier or on the decline. That being said, he probably didn't have that much value to Nike as a non-contender globally not in a marquee event and no real presence on social media.

I believe he raced in their singlet at the armory last week or two weeks ago, so this seemed like just a matter of time. Surprised Nike let him go so easily. Can't imagine Hoka has that much money to throw his way, and the rest of their runners are second tier or on the decline. That being said, he probably didn't have that much value to Nike as a non-contender globally not in a marquee event and no real presence on social media.

Hoka Two Two wrote:

I believe he raced in their singlet at the armory last week or two weeks ago, so this seemed like just a matter of time. Surprised Nike let him go so easily. Can't imagine Hoka has that much money to throw his way, and the rest of their runners are second tier or on the decline. That being said, he probably didn't have that much value to Nike as a non-contender globally not in a marquee event and no real presence on social media.

Tell us what you really feel.

Here is the press release from Hoka with some photos.

http://www.letsrun.com/news/2017/02/donn-cabral-signs-hoka-one-one-hoka-signs-six-new-athletes/

Kyle Merber and Colby Alexander are second tier and on the decline?

This may have been just made official by the press release, but as another poster hinted at, this deal was made weeks ago. It's not that Nike wanted to let him go, and they had a matching clause in his contract, but Hoka apparently set him up real well and Nike didn't match. They probably want to make him a brand face similar to Leo, as well as wrap up as much of NJNY as they can

"real well" lol

Speculation - but it seems probable that Hoka has taken *ownership* of NJNYTC in the recent past like how Nike has ownership of BTC and NOP. So for an athlete already in NJNY who has/had Nike sponsored but liked his NJNY clubmates and his NJNY coach ... if you want to stay with your clubmates and your coach then they compel you to be their athlete?

Also maybe Hoka just offered him a better deal than Nike. It seems they are improving their marketshare and can afford to grow.

For a "non-contender globally" he certainly does better than I do:

8th London OG '12

13th Beijing Worlds '15

8th Rio OG '16

This kind of kills the theory that distance runners would be more marketable if they were more muscular doesn't it?

i got muscles, i got money wrote:

This kind of kills the theory that distance runners would be more marketable if they were more muscular doesn't it?

I don't understand runners with no social media presence. It's part of your job to sell products, do it already!

Hoka Two Two wrote:

I believe he raced in their singlet at the armory last week or two weeks ago, so this seemed like just a matter of time. Surprised Nike let him go so easily. Can't imagine Hoka has that much money to throw his way, and the rest of their runners are second tier or on the decline. That being said, he probably didn't have that much value to Nike as a non-contender globally not in a marquee event and no real presence on social media.

Limited potential as an athlete. Is he really going to help Nike sell more shoes?

Great steepler no question. Well known to this website and that about it.

Hoka continues to build its b-level roster of athletes.

He may though be their 1st legitimate shot at getting an athlete an a world champs team.

bop wrote:

For a "non-contender globally" he certainly does better than I do:

8th London OG '12

13th Beijing Worlds '15

8th Rio OG '16

His PR of 8:19 does not make him a threat to really contend in races that are being won by guys with 8:00 PRs and significantly better closing speed. He's not going to win a DL meet. Being the 2nd or 3rd best American steepler is nice, but not really all that valuable to a shoe company, especially if the athlete doesn't even have his own personal website or use social media.

On the flipside, it is really nice to see Hoka creating a pretty legit crew with Cabral, Merber, Alexander, and Palmer at NJNYTC. If they can compete with the Brooks Beasts for American mid-distance runners, that's really good for the sport.

His PR is 8:13 from 2015 USA's not 8:19.

His PB is more like 8:14-15, not 8:19. I can't remember for sure.

ytdlyug' wrote:

His PB is more like 8:14-15, not 8:19. I can't remember for sure.

Yeah that is very important a 8:14 guy is worth 150 grand and a 8;19 guy will only make 100.

Hoka has plenty of a-level ultra marathoners

Hoka Two Two wrote:

the rest of their runners are second tier or on the decline.

Second tier?? I would consider someone who makes the OT Final to be first tier, and Hoka had 3 men in the 1500 final alone. Manzano may be on the decline, but he came real close to making the team. Colby Alexander and Kyle Merber are also two of the biggest up and comers on the middle distance scene.

I wouldn't say that Hoka has the best athletes out there by any means, but I can understand why Cabral would see a benefit in going from Nike to a smaller brand where he will likely receive more attention and priority as an athlete.