Sexton leaving Kawasaki?

^^^How do Matthes and Blair square the “reported” seven figure buyout?

All I know is I want to thank kawi for making 2 silly seasons in a row very exciting due to their team quality.

Honestly kawi probably should have hired Malcolm and AP. Nobody expects them to win, so the subpar team won’t hold them back in any massive way. And they are the people’s champs so the team image will improve and get a ton of good PR for a change.

I wish this was the case for Chase. I've always said that HEP would be the best landing spot for him. Established bike with the freedom to do whatever he wants to it. 

That could also be a bad thing to let him chase setups constantly. I also wonder if this whole fiasco is pushing him from being viewed as an asset to teams into being viewed as a liability. 

Chase to Suzuki would be so sick. I just wish they’d add a damn button dude. If he went Suzuki I’d bet huge money on him stalling it at least 1 race causing a big drop in points from lost positions, and with the current competition I don’t think anyone can afford lost points from kicking a bike. 

The race team is testing one. 

How much is Kawi and how much is Monster? Wasn't Monster the hold up with Prado? He could easily bring that over the HEP

Chase on a Suzuki front end would be scary for the competition, that bike was built for someone like him that loves being over the front especially in supercross. 

The more unconfirmed info that keeps circulating..the more I feel like Chase has zero options other than to stay and make it work. But then we hear Malcolm to Kawi and Marchbanks is already staying... Can't imagine Kawi having 3 450's on the same team..they've NEVER done that.

Not 450s, but they did run 3 250 2-strokes in 2000 with RC, Dowd, and Larry Ward. They ran 3 guys in 02 with James, Roncada, and Lusk as well. Millsaps said he could’ve signed with factory Kawi in 04 with James and Byrne so they have and have been willing to run 3 guys. 

No way in hell its seven figures..

Did they say Kawi's making him buy his way out of his contract? 

Really?

Based on what his contract was worth, any signing bonus, any salary based pay outs, the time-line (how many years -total- the contract addressed and the value originally assigned)...and...let's not forget contracts often have clauses regarding early termination provisions...

So, hell yes, I expect them to require him to buy his way out of it.

If I remember correctly.... Prado had to pay 6 figures to kawi and to monster to get out..and I'd guess that price has gone wayyyy up to keep people from leaving early again.... 

Apparently there is a Cycle News (digital article) stating that. I wondered if Matthes and Blair were privy to it, to shed more light. 

It's safe to assume that Chase's contract was worth a bit more.

And...after the Prado situation, Kawasaki is probably not as cooperative with having to go thru this...again. 

Also, they don't "have to" let him go.

I’m a huge Suzuki fan boy and a little while ago I was against Suzuki hiring Chase, because Suzuki didn’t need that type of negativity around it. (The type of negativity that Kawasaki now has surrounding it) 

Now thinking about it, imagine the conversation- “this bike & team won the SX championship this year. If you can’t manage to dial it in entirely to your liking or you can’t ride it and win the championship, there are no excuses- it’s entirely on you.”

I don’t think Chase will want that level of pressure. 

I'm the opposite, I'm pissed at Kawi for taking 2 star riders turning their seasons into 💩

I've never signed a contract in my life that didn't have early termination clause that spelled out clearly what it would cost both sides, what the enforcement would be, etc. Do these guys contracts not have this language? Is it truly just open for discussion if someone wants out? I could see that going very badly for both sides. A contract without something to enforce if it's not upheld doesn't mean much of anything. 

It probably does have exactly that. 

But that’s good only when both parties agree. 

It’s. likely Chase is saying “Kawasaki didn’t hold up their side of the contract because….. so I want paying in full and contract termination”

Whilst Kawasaki are saying “Chase didn’t hold up his side of the contract because……… so we want to be reimbursed and contract termination “ 

It’s rarely as simple as both parties agreeing to disagree. 

I don't even know where to stand on this. This is three major teams in a row for Chase. Not identical in each case, but it didn't work out for any. Then there is Kawi which seems to have issues. Are the issues solely the bike, is it team management/culture/policy, I have no idea, but it's not working. This was destined to be a shit show and here we are. 

The common denominator here is Chase (and I agree, his career as of late is quite the conundrum).

It's potentially two bad things butting up against each other. Chase hasn't liked the Honda, KTM, or Kawi, but also Prado, Febvre, and Seewer haven't liked the Kawi.

That Suzuki 450 overall is like the Small Block Chevy of the Mx world.   It might not do everything perfect but its a solid platform.   Highly predictable.  

I just watched a pod with McGrath, and he kind of says Chase was actually pretty happy with the KTM when he finally got it working well.  But it was too late and he had already inked a deal with Kawi.  So, if that is true, sucks because he was flying towards the end on the KTM. Passed from last to 1st once.  That was crazy. 

Unless Roczen is retiring, I cannot see how PMG Suzuki could afford to have Kenny, Anderson, Barcia, and Chase on the same team. Even if Monster and Progressive (and/or Twisted Tea) kick in more cash to land a bigger name, I would be shocked if they could financially make it happen. 

Apples to Oranges dude. Professional athlete contracts and gay pornstar contracts are 2 different things. I don’t think you can compare the 2 here. 

They just signed a new title sponsor in AWM. 

They did just land another primary sponsor. AWM Fulfillment. Not sure of details, but it seems AWM was just purchased by Grainger for $210 mil. 

KTM was the best fit and his best results.

He shoulda stayed...