Erik Logan has stepped down as CEO of the WSL today, the organization announced in a statement sent to the press on Thursday afternoon.

“Logan has left the company,” the statement said, “effective immediately.”

And while a search is underway for a new CEO, Emily Hofer, chief of staff, and Bob Kane, chief operating officer, will lead the company.

“With the leadership of Hofer and Kane, along with the executive team, the WSL remains well positioned for continued success and growth. The league remains firmly committed to working alongside our peers, athletes and partners to build a competitive global platform aligned with our purpose of ocean conservation.”

The statement ends by introducing Hofer and Kane.

The news has surprised the surfing world. Last week Logan was presenting the CT in Rio at a press conference, speaking forcefully about his goals and objectives.

According to the tabloid website BeachGrit, there is talk in the corridors of Santa Monica headquarters that this is a reversal of the arrogance with which he wrote to the Brazilians after his complaint about the trial.

Logan was the one who introduced the mid-year cut, the end-of-year finals, made the reality show Ultimate Surfer and the Apple series Make or Break.

He himself promoted that under his mandate the audience and income had increased to pre-pandemic levels.