Chris Cole has the chance to win well over one million dollars in contest earnings this year. Cole, the two-time Thrasher magazine Skater of the Year, is contracted as an exclusive competitor for Rob Dyrdek's Street League contest series but, in a recent twist of events, he'll be allowed a one-time bye to compete in the Maloof Money Cup Orange County event this fall.
Before signing to Street League, Cole won the Money Cup event in 2009, along with its first place prize of $100,000. Signing up to compete in Street League in the early spring of 2010, Cole was allowed to compete in two non-Street League sanctioned events during the inaugural Street League season. Cole chose the Maloof events in Orange County and New York City, winning both and grabbing another $200,000.
As stipulated in all Street League contracts, this year, SL skaters can only compete in Street League and Street League sanctioned events.
Last August, the Maloofs, seemingly seeking to lure Cole back to their events, offered a $1 million bonus prize for any skater that could win four consecutive Money Cup events. Though Cole is the most obvious pick to win that bonus, The Maloofs were quick to point out that, with four Maloof Money Cup events planned for 2011 [Orange County's event, with a date to be determined, being the capstone], it's possible another skater could vie for the big money bonus.
"The only thing better than one skater going for a million is two," said Joe Maloof in a press release. "By moving Chris' million dollar contest to Orange County, there's an opportunity for another pro to win three Maloof Money Cup events this year, making them eligible to compete, alongside Chris, for the $1 million bonus in Orange County."
As for the exclusivity clause in Cole's Street League contract, which would normally bar him from competing in Money Cup events, Rob Dyrdek decided to give Cole -- a teammate on both DC Shoes and Monster Energy -- a pass on this one for a shot at the big bucks.
"Let's be real ... we are skateboarders first," said Dyrdek. "We would never get in the way of one of our own making that much money in a single event."
Cole is excited for the opportunity in front of him come this fall. "I'm excited to skate Maloof Money Cup Orange County for a shot at a million dollars," he said. "It's going to be a tough competition, but just to have this chance is unbelievable. This is such a positive thing for skateboarding. Something like this has never been done and I'm just grateful to the Maloofs for the opportunity."
The first Maloof Money Cup event of 2011 kicks off in New York City on June 4. Street League's 2011 season has already begun with the first event in Seattle on May 8. Cole placed sixth in that event. The next Street League event, subsequently the next time Cole will compete, will be in Kansas City on June 11 and 12. The finals of that event and all Street League event this year will air live on ESPN2 from 4-6 p.m. ET.