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Post by crawdaddy on Jul 21, 2016 12:16:13 GMT -5
"There is never going to be a scenario where top teams dont skip a few domestic to play FIVB, but if its financially feasible, they will play domestically much more often. As history bears out." I certainly dont claim to be an aficionado on the format or qualifying system of the FIVB, but I seem to remember that it doesnt begin in earnest until the last two years prior to the next olympics. If that is at all correct, would next year not appear optimum for Donald Sun and the AVP to give it their best shot? If the Rio games go well for the USA, they can possibly capitalize on the aftermath of the excitment if they promote it right. And they have the time to watch, see and adjust their battle plan in the case it doesnt. Kerri, Phil, Jake, Hyden and others may not have another Olympic run in them, but more than likely would still play stateside especially if the money, by way of more tournaments, was there for them. I would think that if ever there was a time to consider an increase in the amount of tournaments, that 2017 would be the year to invest in it. Curious as to the comments.... Agree with all of this. Next year is big for the AVP and would expect/hope to see an expanded tour. Of course, AVP may be bleeding money, making an expansion difficult. |
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Post by butteryhands on Jul 21, 2016 12:22:18 GMT -5
The Olympics haven't made much of a difference in the past and sadly they won't next year. That is the unfortunate truth. Beach Volleyball is a niche sport the average person doesn't care about outside of it getting great coverage during the Olympics.
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Post by love2vball on Jul 21, 2016 12:57:01 GMT -5
The Olympics haven't made much of a difference in the past and sadly they won't next year. That is the unfortunate truth. Beach Volleyball is a niche sport the average person doesn't care about outside of it getting great coverage during the Olympics.
That may or may not be a correct accessment. I couldnt possibly know without verification but winning Olympic medals certainly cant hurt the sport's progression.
I agree though that beach vb is not only a niche sport but also basically a player's sport. I think that is why hope is always present to grow it. Personally, I have always thought that there are inherent factors that disallow that from ever happening; weather being the main one. Other than California where the game grew up and still thrives, the rest of the country is at the mercy of conditions that can inhibit four consecutive days of play. The expense to move and set up the venue only to suffer lack of attendance will always be a concern. The other major issue to me has always been sponsorship. Even in the good times when they were attracting the Budweisers, Toyotas and Nissans and the corporate deities that went with it, the attraction was limited at best. I watched as those non-participants were lead uncomfortablly through the sand with their escorts to the "poshness" of the upper levels. These people are used to valets, attendants, comforts and areas located away from the general population. Their looks, courtesy of direct sunlight, wind, sand removed nail polish and general disgust with the atmosphere was very apparent and it is very doubtful that any of them attended the next tournament. Even in the LA area, in the middle of summer, in the heyday of the frenzy, an overflow crowd of maybe 12,000 watched in Manhattan or Hermosa. There are more people stuck in traffic between LAX and Santa Monica on the 405 in that same timeframe. It is a niche sport. But to the ones who have a passion for it, they could care less and hope that the top players can always find a way survive on the income it provides to keep it alive. And maybe the "it's not for everyone" is the real reason why we all stay close to it.
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Post by guest2 on Jul 21, 2016 13:37:57 GMT -5
Love2vball I think you are spot on. The only issue is if there are a bunch of retirements.
If I were Donald I would offer Kerri whatever he can afford to be a full time AVP employee, spend every week doing appearances, visiting juniors clubs and doing promotions, then play on weekends.
I would tell her you dont need to be in shape or play hard, just show up, play and do the publicity work. Sort of like a noncompetitive bridge to retirement.
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Post by guest2 on Jul 21, 2016 13:45:12 GMT -5
The Olympics haven't made much of a difference in the past and sadly they won't next year. That is the unfortunate truth. Beach Volleyball is a niche sport the average person doesn't care about outside of it getting great coverage during the Olympics. This is somewhat true. The Olympics made stars and draws out of Misty and Kerri, but did not necessarily grow the sport a ton. Beach volleyball is indeed a niche sport, but the question is how big an that niche get. The growth of MLS, also a niche sport, is very encouraging for BVB because it shows how much attitudes can change. Even now, MLS is an absolutely garbage product, akin to the Romanian league and yet people flock to it, because it has become fashionable. |
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Post by ebes1099 on Jul 21, 2016 16:26:21 GMT -5
Love2vball I think you are spot on. The only issue is if there are a bunch of retirements. If I were Donald I would offer Kerri whatever he can afford to be a full time AVP employee, spend every week doing appearances, visiting juniors clubs and doing promotions, then play on weekends. I would tell her you dont need to be in shape or play hard, just show up, play and do the publicity work. Sort of like a noncompetitive bridge to retirement. I don't think you could convince someone as competitive as Kerri Walsk to just go out there and be out of shape and "just play". |
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Post by guest2 on Jul 21, 2016 17:01:19 GMT -5
Love2vball I think you are spot on. The only issue is if there are a bunch of retirements. If I were Donald I would offer Kerri whatever he can afford to be a full time AVP employee, spend every week doing appearances, visiting juniors clubs and doing promotions, then play on weekends. I would tell her you dont need to be in shape or play hard, just show up, play and do the publicity work. Sort of like a noncompetitive bridge to retirement. I don't think you could convince someone as competitive as Kerri Walsk to just go out there and be out of shape and "just play".  |
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Post by ebes1099 on Jul 21, 2016 17:13:09 GMT -5
I don't think you could convince someone as competitive as Kerri Walsk to just go out there and be out of shape and "just play". Misty did come to mind when I typed that but she's not playing often....seems like a just a few odd events close to home/family or doing a favor for a friend. Who knows, for the right amount of money, people will do a lot of things. I just hate seeing prime athletes come back when they've lost it |
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