'blueseventy fires Andy Potts for breaching his contract over the 'TYR Hurricane' wetsuit photo!

I posted a photo of Andy Potts wearing the upcoming TYR Hurricane wetsuit while he was under contract with blueseventy. Subsequently, I was contacted about within an hour.

Triathletes have more sponsors than swimmers. They endorse bicycles, swimsuits, wetsuits, bottled water, helmets, etc. etc. Triathletes are like "NASCAR drivers" who have the economic opportunity to endorse every single "nut-and-bolt" within their discipline.

Potts was endorsing TYR tech-suits but he has been under contract for the past three years; (up until today), to endorse blueseventy wetsuits. He has been winning in b70 wetsuits too.

In Andy's defense, he was told that the TYR Hurricane photo would not run till next year but the fault is ultimately his for you just don't touch a competitors product while being paid not to. Ultimately he was sublimely embarassed.

Here is what blueseventy sent me:

blueseventy has agreed to part company with Andy Potts effective immediately. The USA World Champion triathlete has worn the blueseventy Helix wetsuit for 3 years, a longstanding commitment that has been beneficial for both parties. blueseventy have provided the fastest swimskins and wetsuits in the world, and Potts has been one of triathlons fastest swimmers. His contract, expected to expire at the end of the year, has been mutually terminated with immediate effect after his 2010 wetsuit sponsors TYR, took the unusual step of using his image well before his new contract comes into effect in January.

CEO, Steve Nicholls [added]: " We're not thrilled with this situation to be honest, but, at the end of the day, our company's philosophy is to be there for swimmers and athletes. Andy is a great guy, and a top athlete and I don't want to see him involved in something like this. The last thing he needs is to be caught up in a dispute between a current and future sponsor, especially given his recent accident. We will do the best thing for Andy and walk away. He's been put in a difficult position by what could be termed as questionably ethical marketing decisions, something we would never do to an athlete."

[UPDATE] - Here is a statement that blueseventy ran regarding the Andy Potts situation sent to me by TYR PR

Following an investigation between TYR & blueseventy on the contract overlap regarding Andy Potts it has been discovered that both companies were misled by athlete's management. It should be clarified that while the incidence was unfortunate, blueseventy holds no issue with TYR's actions. blueseventy’s decision to end Andy Potts' contract with immediate effect still stands but the company wishes the best to Andy in the coming season.