Bob Hurley will step down as chief executive officer of the surfing brand he founded.
Nike Inc., which has owned the brand since 2002, said Hurley will retire and transition to a new role, where he will “focus on building and cultivating the community and extending Nike’s relationships with elite athletes.” Nike added that Hurley will “leverage more than 40 years of relationships and experiences to continue doing what he loves best — growing and influencing the development of the sport.”
Mark Parker, Nike’s president and ceo, said, “Bob is a legend in the surf and action sports industry, who grew his passion into a globally recognized brand that stands for creativity, innovation and community.” Parker added that Nike is “looking forward to continuing our work together to build the Hurley brand globally.”
Hurley said working with Nike has allowed the brand to “connect with the world’s best surfers with the most innovative products thar inspire riders everywhere.” He further noted that he will focus on “spending my time with the community and growing the sport with the athletes that push the limits of what’s possible.”
Bob Coombes, a vice president and general manager of Hurley and a longtime Nike veteran, will manage the Hurley business, reporting to Jayme Martin. Martin is vice president and general manager of global categories for Nike Inc.
Hurley began the apparel brand for women, men and kids in 1998. His surfing roots started in 1978 when he started Hurley Surfboards. Hurley later owned the Billabong USA license, another surfwear brand. When that license ended, Hurley elected to start his own surf apparel business.