Professional alpine skier Bode Miller sued his endorsement partner Head, which is contesting his obligations in accordance with the 2015 termination of his endorsement agreement.
Miller said he would retire from ski racing, but asked Head that his contract be terminated a year early so he could enter into an endorsement contract with another ski company. Miller’s new sponsor is Bomber Ski, a Manhattan-based luxury ski brand of which he is part owner.
Head agreed to release Miller from his contract based on his intention to stop ski racing, and on the condition that if he changed his mind he would not to compete in World Cup or World Championship racing until the end of the 2016/17 season on equipment other than Head skis, boots and bindings.
Miller agreed to this as stipulated in the termination agreement. However, he recently revealed that he would return to ski racing with his new sponsor. Head will ask the skier to honor his contractual commitments.
Johan Eliasch, chairman and CEO of Head, stated, “I am truly very disappointed to see that Bode has no intention to honor his word and that he intends to breach our agreement to that effect. We will take every action to enforce our rights against Bode. That said, Head would welcome Bode’s return to World Cup racing, but it has to be on Head equipment.