Maloof Money Cup to Hit New York City

The most prestigious pro street skateboarding competition currently in existence will no longer be limited to California. Joe and Gavin Maloof announced Tuesday that the Maloof Money Cup will also take place in New York.

The competition will take place in Flushing Meadows Park in Queens on June 5-6, 2010, with the winner earning $100,000. The competition, which first took place in California in 2008, will also have a West Coast leg at the Orange County (Calif.) Fairgrounds from Aug. 4-8.

The competition itself has garnered very positive reviews among skate pros, as the courses used for the Cup borrow from legendary street spots. The irony in this instance is that the Flushing Meadows Park is already a world-famous skate spot, as the iconic globe and drainage gate seen above (which, almost certainly, can only be called "legendary" amongst skateboarders) have appeared in countless skate videos.

Either way, because of its extremely large (by skate standards) purse and street cred, the Maloof Money Cup customarily brings out surprise appearances by popular pros who don't normally compete in contests. For instance, 2007 Thrasher Skater of the Year Marc Johnson, who is notorious for very rarely entering contests, was a surprise participant in the 2008 Maloof Money Cup.

Bonus for New Yorkers is that the Maloofs plan to donate the $1.8 million course to the city once the contest is over.

The Maloofs also plan to extend the competition to South Africa in 2011.