Las Vegas Weekly

September 8, 2010 · 11:33 AM

Maloofs’ $1 million skateboarding prize raises a few eyebrows

By Robin Leach

Rascal Flatts with Joe Maloof and Gavin Maloof at the Palms.

Photo: Edison Graff

The $1 million prize to be presented by the Maloof Family has sent the skateboarding world into a spin -- and simultaneously raised the sport to new, big money and competitive status. It’s also sparked a tug-of-war between the Maloof Money Cup events and Rob Dyrdek’s Street League Skateboarding.

At the center of the battle is skate sensation Chris Cole. He’s been the $100,000 winner at the Maloof events for the past three consecutive contests, but he’s signed on exclusively with Rob for the pro tour that hits our Thomas & Mack Arena on Sept. 25. Rob promises the world’s best skateboarders competing for the most prize money in history, with a real-time scoring format in which every trick counts.

However, Joe Maloof, who with brother Gavin runs the Sacramento Kings, and George Maloof, who runs the Palms, are now offering a $1 million cash bounty. Fans say it’s aimed at keeping Chris on their team. The first skateboarder to win four consecutive $100,000 Maloof Money Cup events gets the $1 million payday.

Joe dismissed allegations that it’s targeted at Rob’s rival new league, which has ruffled the skate world with its exclusive contracts. He has said: “I don’t know how everyone will react to it, but I believe it’s one of the biggest opportunities in skateboarding history. If he decides to skate, OK, no problem, someone will start a new streak. Basically, somebody’s going to win it.”

The Maloofs will expand their new Money Cup Platinum Circuit next year with five super events, including one overseas. If Chris sticks with Rob’s league, then another skateboarder would have to win four in a row of those five Maloof tournaments to claim the $1 million.

Rob, who stars on MTV’s Fantasy Factory with his racecars and dirt bikes, said: “It’s crazy. I’m just so curious -- is that a singular ploy to get Chris Cole?” His Street League, with 24 of the world’s best professionals, began Aug. 28 in Glendale, Ariz., and has another stop this weekend in Ontario, Calif., before hitting Las Vegas at the end of the month with a total $1 million purse divvied up among the winners of the three events.

When Rob announced his Street League Skateboarding after five years of development, he said it was the first time in history that street skateboarding competition had been organized into its own professional league, with the best skateboarders in the world competing head-to-head.

“It is truly the future of competitive street skateboarding,” he said, signing 24 of the world’s biggest skateboarding stars to exclusive, multiyear contracts. “It has been a dream of mine to create a professional tour that bridges the gap between true street skateboarding and contest skating, which to date has been fragmented and misguided. Street League is more than just a new contest series; it will redefine the way skateboarding competitions are done with the largest prize pool in skateboarding history.”

At the time, two-time X Games gold medalist, Skater of the Year and Maloof Money Cup winner Chris said: “It’s what we have always wanted -- a contest circuit that is actually created, owned and operated by skaters.”

Skateboarders and fans are watching the developing battle to see its outcome, which won’t be known until year’s end or possibly next year. Incidentally, when Rob hosts his Sept. 25 event here, Audrina Patridge of The Hills will be part of the show, and cameras from Season 11 of Dancing With the Stars will be filming her there and at dance rehearsals here in Las Vegas. Audrina debuts as one of the new 12 stars when the hit ABC show premieres Sept. 20.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.

Follow Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter at Twitter.com/vegasdeluxe.

Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter at Twitter.com/VDLXEditorDon.

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