The World Surf League (WSL) announced that CEO Erik Logan had left the company, effective immediately, with no reason for his departure. As the WSL begins a search for a new CEO, Emily Hofer, WSL’s chief people and purpose officer, and Bob Kane, chief operating officer and chief legal officer, will jointly lead the company.
WSL operates more than 180 global surf competitions yearly, the Kelly Slater Wave Company (KSWC), and WSL Studios, an independent producer of unscripted and scripted projects.
WSL said, “With Hofer’s and Kane’s leadership, alongside the dedicated executive team, the WSL remains well-positioned for continued success and growth. The league maintains an unwavering commitment to working alongside our colleagues, athletes, and partners to build surfing’s global competitive platform, aligned with our purpose initiative around ocean conservation. Together, we will work to advance and develop competitive surfing, pushing forward to the evolution and progression of this incredible sport.”
Hofer has worked as WSL’s chief people officer since 2017 and added the role of chief purpose officer in 2020. In this role, Hofer leads strategy, design and delivery of all People and Purpose programs for the WSL, Kelly Slater Wave Company and the WSL Surf Ranch worldwide. In addition, Hofer serves as the executive director of WSL Pure, the league’s non-profit foundation dedicated to ocean conservation education.
Kane has been the chief operating officer and chief legal officer for the WSL and the general counsel for the Kelly Slater Wave Company since 2019. In this role, Kane oversees the operations of the WSL across North America, Latin America, EMEA, and APAC, as well as staff and athlete health, safety and security. He also leads both organizations’ legal departments, including partnership contracts.
