Gordon Ryan has had plenty of business relationships throughout his career but the one that has drawn the most attention recently has been the one with Toehold. The brand sell flip flops hand-made from exotic leathers that can run up into the thousands of dollars, often drawing criticism for their pricing. Their marketing strategy also relies heavily on topless or bikini-clad women promoting their products on social media. The brand has become very well-known in the BJJ community in recent years through their association with Gordon Ryan, as he has also been promoting them on social media frequently since the business relationship began.
It’s pretty safe to assume that the increased attention must have resulted in some increase in sales too, and the length of the relationship made it seem as though it was working for both parties. Gordon Ryan even announced that he was going to be made a part-owner of Toehold, so it seemed as though it was moving in a positive direction. Now Ryan has revealed that this was all part of efforts on his part to keep the relationship going while he was not receiving what he was promised. Now Ryan has terminated the relationship and gone public with all of the problems that led to this point.
Gordon Ryan revealed the full story behind the breakdown of his relationship with Toehold in a recent post to his official Instagram account:
“As many of you know, years ago, I announced that I was to be made part owner of Toehold. I usually dont make announcements until contracts are signed, but I operated in good faith because of how outstanding the product was. Throughout that year, AG Gregoroff was supposed to have contracts signed, making me an owner. He also begged me to drop gear sponsors once my contracts were up, stating that he would pay me to wear Toehold gear. At the point that I finally completed my obligations to former sponsors, I affirmed roughly a half of dozen times that if I were to drop them, that toe hold would replace their payments. He, of course, said yes.”
”When I ended my contract, he then gave me the run around about how he couldn’t pay me, and also gave me the run around about why we couldn’t sign a contract making me an owner. The final straw was when he begged me to ask (Mo Jassim) to become an investor. At this point, i knew the relationship wouldn’t continue, but i played along anyway. When I found out that AG had lied to me about what Mo was asking for, saying he asked for a “30k dollar forensic audit” when all he asked for was a “basic breakdown of costs,” that was it. After lying to me for over a year, f***ing around Mo, and DOUBLING profits and following since I came on board, it was time to make a decision.”
”I’m a simple man. When I am trying to build a relationship, I put up with a lot, I work in good faith, give people the benefit of the doubt, and ALWAYS over deliver. I am always overly nice and helpful, so when its time to be mean, its absolutely justified. That being said, I still gave dirtbag a chance. My normal rate for a post is 10k dollars. I made (basically) a post every day and like 10 stories a day for over a year, doubling the companies profit and following in that time. I made a proposal to dirtbag to come up with a payment plan, of what he originally agreed to pay me per month, and paying me a total of FAR less than I’d charge to be sponsored by toe hold and make the same number of posts. If he did this, I’d simply make a post saying that the partnership didn’t work out and that I’m moving on with no hard feelings.”
”He declined, so here I am, after speaking to the other owners who have done me no wrong. I wanted to make sure that they weren’t going to be massively negatively impacted by this. They all gave me their support for what I’m exposing here. The (Instagram) caption isn’t long enough to tell the full story, so we can leave it at this. I have no issue with Toehold products, dirtbag AG, is a schmoozy, liar, and an unethical scumbag. In no way, shape, or form, do I support, or will ever support this company. If AG personally or Toehold comes out and denies any claims that I’ve made here, I will begin posting receipts, as I have roughly 100 screenshots of all these agreements made over the years. The people who work with me will always end up in high places. I will make sure of this and leave none of my friends behind. The people who try to f**k with me will always end up at the bottom. I will also make sure of this. Toehold has 0 support from me. You make your choice accordingly as customers of the free market.”
