Rash 'Shocks Industry' By Signing With 900 Global
Rash 'Shocks Industry' By Signing With 900 Global
Sean Rash, who had spent his entire his entire 15-year PBA career with Brunswick, has signed a multi-year deal with 900 Global heading into the 2020 season.
In a major offseason move, Sean Rash, who had spent his entire his entire 15-year PBA career with Brunswick, has signed a multi-year deal with 900 Global heading into the 2020 season.
The move represents a significant investment by 900 Global to enhance its brand awareness through one of the PBA Tour’s biggest stars.
“I’m extremely excited about this,” Rash told FloBowling exclusively. “It’s going to shock the industry. I personally believe it’s one of the biggest changes our game has ever seen.”
Rash, 37, has been one of the most successful players of his generation, winning 14 titles, including two majors, and is still at the top of his game. He enters 2020 ranked No. 2 in the FloBowling PBA Preseason Power Rankings.
LISTEN: Rash explains how he landed at 900 Global
“What is unique about Sean is he’s one of those few players out there that we feel can really move the needle in the bowling industry,” 900 Global Vice President of Sales Wes Pye told FloBowling. “He’s got a great fan base, he’s a great player, he’s really come back around and worked on his game and he’s a family guy. He’s a little bit like 900 Global. We are out here trying to prove ourselves in this marketplace, and he really fits on our team.”
Pye would not confirm the length of the deal with Rash but said the door is open for him to have a long-term future with the company.
“It’s a multi-year commitment and there are a lot of options for Sean,” Pye said. “As long as he wants to be a part of this team he’s got an open window with us to help us grow 900 Global and be a part of this team for a long time.”
Rash won two titles in 2019 and had his best season in the past few years, finishing third in points and fifth in earnings.
Every win in Rash’s career has come while a member of Brunswick’s staff and that includes the 2007 USBC Masters and 2012 PBA Tournament of Champions, his two biggest career wins.
Early last season, he won the Mark Roth-Marshall Holman PBA Doubles Championship with Matt Ogle and went on to cap off the FloBowling PBA Summer Tour with a win at the FloBowling PBA Wolf Open. He also won the PBA China Tiger Cup, a non-title event that was the PBA’s first event in China.
Rash said he has been throwing 900 Global equipment for about a week as he prepares for the 2020 PBA Tour, which begins next week with the PBA Hall of Fame Classic. That event will be broadcast live on FloBowling starting Jan. 15.
“My comfort level is 100 percent,” Rash said. “I’ve been bowling with them for about a week now and they make great products. I have some favorites in mind already.”
900 Global, which is based in San Antonio, is owned by Storm’s Bill and Barbara Chrisman. Pye said 900 Global staffers aren’t able to throw Storm or Roto Grip equipment, but they do share ball reps on the PBA Tour.
Barnes has been the company’s biggest name on the PBA Tour in recent years and extended his contract last month. The 900 Global staff also includes Anthony Lavery-Spahr, Sam Cooley and Chris Sloan, among others.
Rash originally signed with Brunswick in 2002 when he was a collegiate player at Wichita State and reflected on his time with the company.
“I want to say thank you to Brunswick for an amazing 17 years,” Rash said. “I’ve had some tremendous bosses and built unbelievable relationships throughout the world. They basically got me to where I am now. I’m starting a fresh chapter in my life, and I couldn’t be more excited about it.”
900 Global is planning to formally introduce Rash to its team on Saturday with a Facebook live on its page at 2 p.m. Central.