After a 14-year sponsorship, Norwegian snowboarder Marcus Kleveland and energy drink Red Bull are parting ways. For the first time in over a decade, the 27-year-old will not be wearing a Red Bull helmet when he drops in this season.
“I wanna take the opportunity to thank @redbull for the partnership we’ve had for the past 14 years,” Kleveland wrote in his announcement on Instagram.
Kleveland’s partnership with Red Bull had been one of the energy drink’s longest-standing. The energy drink brand took notice of Kleveland when he was just a little kid riding in the mountains of Dombås, Norway. At 13, Kleveland joined the Red Bull team.
Right away, Kleveland and Red Bull began pulling off some of the most impressive feats in snowboarding. Less than a year after joining, Kleveland became the youngest ever to land a triple cork at just 13. Three years later, at 16, he became the youngest to land a quad cork — a trick even many of the most elite professionals cannot do.
Trending on SnowBrains
-
1Central Oregon Avalanche Center Lead Forecaster Gabe Coler Airlifted After Traumatic Whistler, BC, Mountain Biking Accident → -
2Norwegian Snowboarder Marcus Kleveland Leaves Team Red Bull → -
3SnowBrains Trips Canceled → -
4Loon Mountain Proposes Massive 280-Acre, Four-Lift Expansion → -
5Mikaela Shiffrin Explains Her New Focus at Atomic Media Day →
.sb-trending-widget {
background: #f8f8f8;
border-top: 2px solid #e0e0e0;
border-left: 4px solid #ea2e49;
border-radius: 0 4px 4px 0;
margin: 28px 0;
padding: 14px 14px 6px;
width: 100%;
box-sizing: border-box;
}
.sb-trending-header {
display: flex;
align-items: center;
gap: 8px;
margin-bottom: 12px;
padding-bottom: 10px;
border-bottom: 1px solid #e0e0e0;
}
.sb-trending-icon {
font-size: 18px;
line-height: 1;
flex-shrink: 0;
}
.sb-trending-label {
font-size: 15px;
font-weight: 700;
color: #1a1a1a;
line-height: 1.3;
text-transform: uppercase;
letter-spacing: 0.04em;
}
.sb-trending-list {
list-style: none;
margin: 0;
padding: 0;
}
.sb-trending-item {
border-bottom: 1px solid #e8e8e8;
padding: 9px 0;
border-radius: 3px;
transition: background 0.1s;
}
.sb-trending-item:last-child {
border-bottom: none;
padding-bottom: 4px;
}
.sb-trending-item:active {
background: #fef0f2;
}
.sb-trending-link {
display: flex;
align-items: center;
gap: 10px;
text-decoration: none;
color: inherit;
padding: 2px 4px;
}
.sb-trending-thumb {
flex-shrink: 0;
}
.sb-trending-thumb img {
display: block;
width: 80px;
height: 64px;
object-fit: cover;
border-radius: 3px;
}
.sb-trending-text {
display: flex;
align-items: center;
gap: 8px;
flex: 1;
min-width: 0;
}
.sb-trending-num {
font-size: 22px;
font-weight: 700;
color: #ea2e49;
line-height: 1;
min-width: 22px;
flex-shrink: 0;
}
.sb-trending-right {
flex: 1;
min-width: 0;
}
.sb-trending-title {
font-size: 14px;
font-weight: 500;
color: #1a1a1a;
line-height: 1.45;
text-align: left;
transition: color 0.15s;
display: inline;
}
.sb-trending-arrow {
font-size: 14px;
color: #ea2e49;
font-weight: 700;
white-space: nowrap;
display: inline;
}
.sb-trending-link:hover .sb-trending-title {
color: #ea2e49;
}
.sb-trending-link:active .sb-trending-title {
color: #ea2e49;
}
document.addEventListener(‘DOMContentLoaded’, function() {
var trendingLinks = document.querySelectorAll(‘.sb-trending-link’);
trendingLinks.forEach(function(link) {
link.addEventListener(‘click’, function(e) {
e.preventDefault(); // Prevent immediate navigation
var title = this.getAttribute(‘data-trending-title’);
var position = this.getAttribute(‘data-trending-position’);
var url = this.getAttribute(‘href’);
// Fire GA4 event
if (typeof gtag !== ‘undefined’) {
gtag(‘event’, ‘trending_widget_click’, {
‘event_category’: ‘engagement’,
‘event_label’: title,
‘trending_position’: position,
‘trending_item’: title
});
} else if (window.dataLayer) {
// Fallback for GTM dataLayer if gtag is not available
window.dataLayer.push({
‘event’: ‘trending_widget_click’,
‘event_category’: ‘engagement’,
‘event_label’: title,
‘trending_position’: position,
‘trending_item’: title
});
}
// Navigate after a brief delay to ensure event is sent
setTimeout(function() {
window.location.href = url;
}, 100);
});
});
});
Throughout his career thus far, Kleveland has celebrated every major milestone with the Red Bull team by his side. The brand helped him become one of the most decorated X Games athletes of all time, giving him access to elite training centers and staff for contest preparation and injury rehab. All 15 of his X Games medals (eight of them gold) came in a Red Bull helmet. So did his two World Championship gold medals.
But even more than his accomplishments, Kleveland is known for his style. Defined by playful butters, unique grab tweaks, and technical wizardry, Kleveland consistently catches the attention of fellow riders and fans of the sport.
For snowboard fans, watching Kleveland compete without a Red Bull helmet will take some time to get used to. Neither Red Bull nor Kleveland have provided a reason for the split.
Wherever Kleveland may end up in the future, his time at Red Bull was iconic. From putting down contest runs to showcasing his unique style, Kleveland was a rider who brought a lot to the Red Bull team.
In his announcement, Kleveland took time to reflect on his years with Red Bull, and he expressed his gratitude for everything the brand had done for him.
“It’s been an honor to be apart [sic] of this team, and to meet all the amazing people along the way!” Kleveland wrote on Instagram. “They have given me all sorts of unique opportunities, support, trust and the list goes on. Wouldn’t be in the position that I am today without this team.”
Now, all eyes are on Kleveland to see where he goes next. “New chapter incoming,” the Norwegian said cryptically on his social media account.
