Michael Waddel ( Leaving Realtree)
 

Anyone heard the rumor that Waddel was hired by Gander Mountain and leaving Realtree.

RE: Michael Waddel ( Leaving Realtree)
 

A local Gander Mountain employee told me that he was joining Gander Mountain, but I do not know whether he is leaving Realtree.

RE: Michael Waddel ( Leaving Realtree)
 

I guess the people I spoke withassumed if he was joining Gander Mountain he would have to leave Realtree I hope not because I respect the guy and enjoy his show

RE: Michael Waddel ( Leaving Realtree)
 

Him joining GM would have little to do with Realtree, not that it's incorrect, I just don't see him leaving his bread and butter foot in the industry door start.

RE: Michael Waddel ( Leaving Realtree)
 

Have not herd nothing about it, Make more since if thay would have said, Michael Waddel picked up us as a sponsor for his show!

RE: Michael Waddel ( Leaving Realtree)
 

i was thinking the same rob!

RE: Michael Waddel ( Leaving Realtree)
 

True, no doubt. I tend to agree with you on this one, BUT he's been on the verge of "selling out" for a couple years now......Anything is possible I guess.

RE: Michael Waddel ( Leaving Realtree)
 

I hear he was tired of all the traveling and wanted more time with his family. I think he will have a new show but it will be more on his terms.

RE: Michael Waddel ( Leaving Realtree)
 

I dont see this happing. He is what he is because of Realtree and leaving it wouldn't be the smartest move to do.

If it did happen it would really be a blow to Team Realtree because he does bring something different to them that other companies dont have.

RE: Michael Waddel ( Leaving Realtree)
 

WHo gives a rats rear, He should work for walmart I never have figured out what the big deal is with these tv dudes?

RE: Michael Waddel ( Leaving Realtree)
 

Michael has stepped out of the box as an official employee of Realtree, but is still contracted with them for many years to come. The reason being is he can now do some things, and not cause any problems for Realtree and other Companies (aka..Contracts). He was getting so many offers, and this affords him the freedom to be sponsored by who he wants. Realtree and Road Trips is still part of that contact.

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RE: Michael Waddel ( Leaving Realtree)
 

He's one of the originals of REaltree, I would be sad if he left the company. I also would be surprised if sponsorship by gander mountain would cause him to leave. Could be a money issue though if GM is forking over some heavy coin, not that Jordan couldn't match it though.l

RE: Michael Waddel ( Leaving Realtree)
 

Rumor at the ATA show was he has asked to be let out of his contract at Realtree. It's apparently getting a little ugly.

RE: Michael Waddel ( Leaving Realtree)
 

He has been making personal appearances at Gander Mtn. stores, but I don't think that in itself means anything.

RE: Michael Waddel ( Leaving Realtree)
 

I always enjoy watching Michael. He does have charisma and I always enjoy his comments. I will watch him regardless of who he is employed by.

RE: Michael Waddel ( Leaving Realtree)
 

yea he is a good guy but i dont think you could just walk away from realtree liek that its just to nice

RE: Michael Waddel ( Leaving Realtree)
 

Idon't think he is leaving Realtree. His wife works for them also. I do know he is not sponsored by Muzzy anymore and now shoots Qad Ultrarests and G5 broadheads. I just watched him on American Trophy Hunters a couple weeks back and he still had all his Team Realtree gear on and this was filmed in Dec I beleive.

RE: Michael Waddel ( Leaving Realtree)
 

he is still on board with Realtree but is sponsered by GM mainly he is going to host their show but he is not bound by any contracts now so he can shoot whatever he wants until he picks up sponserships again but realtree roadtrips will be out for quite a while longer that was the last that i heard

RE: Michael Waddel ( Leaving Realtree)
 

I belive that its all just rumors ... REALTREE might be goin in and doing something with GM but not waddell going alone

RE: Michael Waddel ( Leaving Realtree)
 

I hope not. Realtree wouldn't be the same without him that for sure. Roadtrips is my favorite hunting show.Hopefully there is more
rumor than facts to this.

RE: Michael Waddel ( Leaving Realtree)
 

This is the same thing I heard from a very reliable source.

Look at this this way guys - as an employee of a company you pretty much have to do and say what they want, and accept what they'll pay you for it. Say your salary is X amount per year, and for that amount you have to travel around the country, do seminars, do shows, go here, go there, and you get paid your paycheck and nothing more. Over time you develop a name for yourself, a "following" within the industry so to speak, and more and more people want you to do more and more things, but you're bound by your employment to that particular employer. So you terminate your employment with that employer, become a self-employed contractor, and sell your services to whomever is willing to pay. Your former employer continues to pay you for the services you do for them, but now you can start collecting money from other employers (or sponsors if you will). Now you set your own schedule and your own prices for doing things. There's greater responsibility that comes with managing your own business, your appearances, your costs, etc. However, there is also the potential for greater reward if you do things right.

There's good and bad with being self-employed in this business. Hopefully things work out for Mr. Waddell as there are a lot of people who like him, myself included.

RE: Michael Waddel ( Leaving Realtree)
 

Good for him if he is going out on his own.

RE: Michael Waddel ( Leaving Realtree)
 

I sure would miss roadtrips

RE: Michael Waddel ( Leaving Realtree)
 

Heres the entire quote from the realtree site.

RE: Michael Waddel ( Leaving Realtree)
 

Maybe he just wants towere some good camo. I like his shows, he is very visable if you know what I mean. LOL:D

RE: Michael Waddel ( Leaving Realtree)
 

Thats one of my favorite shows. It appeals to me alot more than the other Realtree show.

RE: Michael Waddel ( Leaving Realtree)
 

5 more years baby
http://www.realtree.com/community/news-detail.tpl?ID=1124

RE: Michael Waddel ( Leaving Realtree)
 

Sounds like Michael is far from leaving Roadtrips. It appears as if he'll have abit more freedom in doing what he wants with the show. It will be interesting to see where he takes it now that its fully in his hands.

RE: Michael Waddel ( Leaving Realtree)
 

I have to say he is about my favorite to watch,he's a regular guy ,alot like Ralph Ciancerillo they are very personable folks.

RE: Michael Waddel ( Leaving Realtree)
 

I couldn't care less what the guy does. I consider him no more ofa hunter than anyone else.

RE: Michael Waddel ( Leaving Realtree)
 

I like him. If you saw the episode where he takes his 5 year old boy out duck hunting, you'd have to like this guy. That episode made me really look forward to the day my son is old enough to go into the woods with me.