I was just reading an article about the sale of Oakley to Lux, which closed in 2007, and as part of the agreement, JJ signed a five year non-compete agreement with Lux. That would be up in 2012...any thoughts? I know his focus now is RED, but in a couple years, who knows?

I would guess that Jim would be done with eyewear since moving on to RED.

Doubtful he would ever compete in the eyewear market again, but it would be ridiculously SICK if he were to be involved in another "project" (i.e., eyewear design such as Pit Boss) for Oakley.

he may venture back in given how washed out the product offerings have been since departure. Yeah, they have incorporated some cool coatings and art into eyewear, but the overall product line is nothing to write home about, so he could release some more "over the top" offerings to the marketplace...only time will tell. Maybe Jamon will start a company?? would be cool to see

If he wanted to do another design with Oakley, he could do that now, since it wouldn't violate the non-compete.

I think if he were to decide to jump back into eyewear, he'd do it himself again, so he wouldn't have to deal with getting approval for his designs. Part of the reason he decided to move on was that the company had grown beyond being able to get away with solely OTT designs. They had to do mass appeal pieces to appease stockholders, etc.

The PB took what, five years to finally see the light of day? Let's hope if he does decide to do more eyewear that he does do it himself, or it won't come out till sometime in 2020!

They had to do mass appeal pieces to appease stockholders, etc.

This is the key point. If JJ ever does eyewear again, he'd have to stay independent. The 2-3 years prior to the Lux takeover were the darkest years in Oakley design, IMO. No OTT designs were put out, everything was very fashion-y, iridium on new eyewear was non-existant, grey/brown frames were paired with grey/brown lenses, apparel quality was poor, etc.

I'm sure he could charge pit-boss/C6 prices and beyond for this hypothetical eyewear and easily sell more than he could produce...could be like the Ferrari of eyewear...limited amounts released for high prices and you'd have to know someone to even get a chance at buying a new pair. I think with that model he could easily make it worth his time.

It could be just like the Rogue Design jewelry, probably with similar pricing!

If he were to do this, it would be so epic! I know he used to come on here from time to time; it's a shame he probably doesn't anymore. He'd probably get a kick out of this thread!

Would be nice, no doubt about it, is there articles out there saying he had some regrets about taking the company public ?

For the Supreme O article: http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/7.12/oakley_pr.html


"I rarely look backward," Jannard says. "But going public is something I wish I hadn't done."

Ok, sweet, thanks for finding it, Vince McMahon said a similar thing after he made WWE public.

Hypothetical scenario and question:

Let's say JJ got back into the eyewear game after the non-compete is over. Would you choose his glasses over a comparable Oakley pair even if:

-He won't design any of the glasses himself since he'll be too busy with Red, but the team of developers/designers is hand-picked by him personally.
-The glasses his team is developing won't have Oakley lenses; they'll use Zeiss or Essilor lenses instead.
-The price of a pair is 50% more on comparable models
-You like the glasses equally to a comparable Oakley model.

heck yeah!

Nope.

It depends on what they look like. Hard to say without seeing them first. Odds are I'd like them knowing his style. So I just might go for it.

Hmm, well. I think the glasses must show the spirit of JJ, otherwise they won't hit the market. And if they show his spirit they will really distinguish themselves from the masses and be awesome.
Also I can't imagine him not using Oakley lenses, not using the O technologies might be the only thing that will stop me from buying them I think. As the design must be awesome, no doubt about that.

I honestly hope that he will jump into the sunglasses industry again next year.

Oak, as soon as I read "Zeiss or Essilor lenses" my decision was made.

Point being, something new tech wise would have to be brought to the table rather than him using an existing design.

I'm sure that part of the philosophy would stay the same, if nothing else.

I like, respect and am amazed with JJ - but I'm not into this for JJ. From Oak's parameters, I don't think I would be chomping at the bit to purchase the eyewear. Unless Nik did first, maybe.

The design would have to be OTT-different to pursuade me.

Speaking of Jim, has anyone seen the 4k 3d home theater projectors Red is planning on selling? How bad ass would that be.

If he were to have his fingers on anything Oakley, I would hope it would be 3D glasses to go with the ultra high def high end projectors, so at least the everyman could afford the glasses, you know those projectors are going to be Ultra expensive.

What really kind of pisses me off is in these Red articles, they always say Red CEO Jim Jannard, and never do they say former CEO of Oakley inc.
"RED CEO teases 4K 3D laser projector, bound for theaters and (millionaires') homes"

http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/22/red-ceo-teases-4k-3d-laser-projector-bound-for-theaters-and-mi/

Point being, something new tech wise would have to be brought to the table rather than him using an existing design.

This. Lee brings an excellent point (as always) Oakley or not, I would surely be interested in what he is doing if he wished to go back to sunglasses.

Been a while, but I am back, hope everyone is doing ok :)

Welcome back!

Welcome back Eric!

You have been missed my friend.

I like, respect and am amazed with JJ - but I'm not into this for JJ. From Oak's parameters, I don't think I would be chomping at the bit to purchase the eyewear. Unless Nik did first, maybe.

I would be first in line and probably refinance my home, if necessary, assuming he ever gets back into this. He started it. Revolutioized it. Then found another passion. I get it. But if anything ever changes - I'll be in the front of the line.

It happens - I've seen it before.

Welcome back Eric!

I hear ya Nik.