Evan Smith doesn’t hold back when it comes to calling out Puma for the company’s involvement in the legal drama surrounding his skate brand Uma Land Sleds.
As we previously reported, Smith had an interview with Jenkem and he didn't sugar coat anything. This time, he gave a solid F U to Puma.
He opened up about the lawsuit and the impact it had on his brand’s shift, as well as the real reason behind Uma’s end.
It all started when Puma filed a lawsuit against Uma, claiming that the brand’s name and logo were too similar to their own. This legal move forced Uma to undergo a rebrand, changing their name from Uma Land Sleds to Umaverse. But according to Evan, Puma’s lawsuit wasn’t the main reason the brand folded.
The 34-year-old was candid when asked about the lawsuit's role in Uma’s demise. "Yeah, Puma did sue Uma," he said. "They tried to put a restraint on the way we could use our text. Internally, we ended up changing the name from Uma Land Sleds to Umaverse." However, he was quick to add his frustrations with the corporate giant: "Honestly, they can go fuck themselves because that shit jammed us up!"
To put things into perspective, Evan explained the disparity between Uma and Puma. "A massive corporate company and we’re like a mom-and-pop skateboard company, like come on," he continued. "We’re losing thousands of dollars, you’re making hundreds of thousands of dollars. So yeah, Puma tried to fuck with us, but it didn’t matter. That really had no impact on why we ended the brand. The main reason is because of sales. The hardgood [skateboard] market is not looking good, and I really, really hope everyone can hang in there. Kids, if you’re reading this, tell your mom to go buy you boards! A bunch of them!"
Despite the setbacks from the lawsuit and the struggles in the market, Evan didn’t shy away from the situation. His frustration with Puma’s actions is clear, but he’s also trying to keep things light with a call to the younger generation to keep skateboarding alive through their purchases. The industry may be facing challenges, but Evan remains a strong voice in the skate community.
When asked about his skateboarding since the end of Uma, Evan said he’s been hitting it hard. "Since then, I’ve been skating a shit ton," he admitted. "I’m sitting on like six minutes of solid footy, but I don’t really have anywhere to put it. I probably should’ve put out a goodbye Uma part … maybe I could still do that??"
With a good sense of humor and no shortage of passion for skateboarding, Evan is keeping his focus on the board. While the Uma chapter may have closed, it’s clear that Evan’s love for the sport and his outspoken personality aren’t going anywhere. The world of skateboarding, and Evan’s journey in it, is far from over.