San Diego, California * -- After what has been phrased as "countless rumors and endless speculation," Syndrome Distribution * has formally announced the relaunch of Plan B * Skateboards and the new Plan B Team.

Originally founded in 1991 * by Mike Ternasky *, Plan B Skateboards went on to become regarded by many as one of the more influential skateboard companies * of that decade, in large part due to the innovative and cutting edge skateboard videos the company produced.

After Mike's tragic death in an automobile accident in 1997 *, Danny Way * and Colin McKay * took ownership of the company, and decided to temporarily shelf the brand and focus on skateboarding.

Until now.

The new Plan B team consists of Colin McKay, Danny Way, Paul Rodriguez *, Ryan Gallant *, and PJ Ladd *. Sal Barbier * will act as band/team manager.

"I'm excited to fire Plan B back up" said Colin McKay. "It has the same feel as the first time around. I feel like this is good for skateboarding."

"The way I see it," he was quoted as saying, "this is a new company with new and legit riders, and we're not trying to live off our legacy. We could have called it something else and I still think this company would be just as sick."

"This generation of kids has never seen it go down like this before where people leave their respective teams to do something new and fresh," says McKay. But, he says, people didn't join the for monetary reasons alone: "Some people think that we threw money at these guys, but that's not the case. All the guys were already committed before money was even in question."

"There's a lot of things that the original Plan B stood for above and beyond just a skateboarding brand," said Danny Way. "Our buddy and original Plan B Owner Mike (Ternasky) instilled a lot of good stuff in our heads as kids, and there's a lot of stuff that we learned from the company. Colin and I are trying to be tight with the team and help manage them, give them the right advice, and hopefully be able to install some stuff that will give these guys some longevity in their careers"

Says younger team member Paul Rodriguez "I wanted to be a part of something fresh and redo history".

According to the company press release, the brand's new direction is being entrusted to former Plan B pro Sal Barbier. Says Sal: "It's the opportunity I've always wanted and with the new roster it makes it all the better."

Manufacturing and distribution of the brand will be fulfilled by Syndrome Distribution. Says Syndrome president Rob Mertz: "Plan B was one of the companies that changed skateboarding. There aren't too many companies that can claim that. In 2005 *, Plan B will change skateboarding again and it is exciting to be involved with a group of guys that have the ability to do that."

"I'm sure Ternasky would be proud to see his legacy lived on through this group of riders," said Dave Andrecht, who was involved with the original Plan B and is currently Syndrome's sales director. "It's great to be a part of it (Plan B) again."

Syndrome Distribution is located in Vista, California, and owns other brands including Silver Trucks *, HellRose Skateboards, FKD Bearings *, Phantom Trucks, and INC Skateboards.

The original Plan B produced four skateboard videos: "Questionable" (1992), "Virtual Reality" (1993), "Second Hand Smoke" (1994), and "The Revolution" (1997), which collectively included skateboarding by Danny Way, Colin McKay, Matt Hensely, Mike Carroll *, Rick Howard *, Pat Duffy *, Sean Sheffey *, Rodney Mullen *, Jeremy Wray *, Rick McCrank *, Sal Barbier, Ronnie Bertino *, and Ryan Fabry.

This article was based on press release from Syndrome Distribution, the author's research, and the article "Plan B Reawakened" by Cullen Poythress in Transworld * Business Magazine.

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