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Post by thedaddy on Aug 11, 2004 22:59:33 GMT -5
Notice how leading up to the olympics all the publicity (tv shows, magazines, newspapers) has been about beach volleyball
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Post by beachman on Aug 12, 2004 0:17:19 GMT -5
You can blame USA Volleyball for a great part of this....they don't know how to market their product, have no money, and even less imagination. Plus they don't seem to have the personalities that are present on the beach.....
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Post by FloridaPerson on Aug 12, 2004 0:28:01 GMT -5
Actually, I think more of what you have here is NBC feeling that Beach is much more markletable than indoor. You only have to know two players per teacm, and they wear bikinis.
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Post by MINTONETTE on Aug 12, 2004 10:54:35 GMT -5
The blame falls directly on the shoulders of USA Volleyball. They have not capitalized on any of the successes of the Women's team leading up to these Olympics. It is the job of USA Volleyball to find and market the personalities the players. Here's a thought... Why not make Logan Tom volleyball's poster girl. Let's see.... talent.... looks..... wear's spandex..... how can we market this?  Why don't they take a page out of USA Soccer (i.e. Mia Hamm) These people should be fired!!! |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 12, 2004 12:51:09 GMT -5
It's not more popular with VOLLEYBALL fans.
Draw your own conclusions...
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Post by fightingminime on Aug 12, 2004 13:11:56 GMT -5
Actually, I think more of what you have here is NBC feeling that Beach is much more markletable than indoor. You only have to know two players per teacm, and they wear bikinis. Or maybe there is a team with a #1 Seed and winning streak headed into the games (Most of the press has been about Misty and Keri). Or maybe they have players who are WILLING to be marketable (or allowed to?). Regardless I don't understand why indoor/outdoor has to be a battle. I am an indoor player. Love it. But I play beach in the summer. Because the fact that I can play the game I love so much outside in the sun and get a TAN is somewhat appealing. But when indoor season comes back around I welcome it. Love them both. Appreciate that Keri and Misty, two players with fabulous INDOOR careers are getting the opportunity to make some dough and achieve international recognition on the court, be it sand OR indoor. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 12, 2004 13:31:17 GMT -5
Regardless I don't understand why indoor/outdoor has to be a battle. I'll take a stab at that. It's not that there has to be a battle among VB fans. The problem is that the popularity of beach ball--in terms of the mainstream media and the casual "fan"--has very little to do with the sport. I still argue that, ultimately, Beach VB harms the indoor game, if the goal is to make NEW fans. Yes, there are some who watch the beach game and appreciate the sport so much they want to see the real thing, but I just don't think there are many. There are just as many who don't want to have anything to do with a sport which has a variation where the players wear swimsuits. They think it's a "junk" sport. Right there with Dodgeball. And I just don't think the Beach atmosphere translates to the indoor game--and for the vast majority of your casual fans, it's ALL about the atmosphere. This is my opinion and, no, I have no facts with which to back it up.  Now, PLAYING the two sports is a totally different discussion... |
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Post by Charlie on Aug 12, 2004 13:34:38 GMT -5
The blame falls directly on the shoulders of USA Volleyball. . . . It is the job of USA Volleyball to find and market the personalities the players. . . . These people should be fired!!! Fire them all and replace them with . . . who? It's simplistic and naive to say that the volunteer leadership and staff of USAV are to blame for the lack of media significance that indoor volleyball has. Rowing doesn't get any media attention either. Is it the fault of the Rowing NGB? Shooting has 51 medals in the Olympics. Have you heard of any of the athletes or their events? Must be those darn NGB folks who don't do their job of marketing the personalities. Volleyball is what it is. |
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Post by roofed! on Aug 17, 2004 9:05:26 GMT -5
Capacity Crowds at Beach Volleyball Rock the Joint By Deborah Charles story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=577&ncid=577&e=9&u=/nm/20040817/sp_nm/olympics_beachvolleyball_crowd_dcATHENS (Reuters) - At the beach volleyball, the 2004 Olympics is a sell-out, foot-stomping success. Crowds poured into the 10,000-seat stadium Monday night to cheer on Greece, enjoy the bikini-clad cheerleaders and revel in the beach party atmosphere. Though Olympic ticket sales have lagged and many events have been sparsely attended in the opening days of the Athens Games, beach volleyball is again proving to be a huge draw. From the moment it debuted as a medal sport in Atlanta in 1996, beach volleyball has been one of the most popular spectator sports at the Olympics. On Bondi Beach in 2000, it attracted the fifth largest television audience of the 28 sports. In Athens, a "dance team" revs up the fans as do Greek- and English-speaking announcers who run out between sets to lead the clapping and singing. The rock-and-roll music that blasts in after each point helps keep the atmosphere buzzing as do the players who wave to the fans and urge them to make some noise. "You'll never hear us say 'quiet please' at beach volleyball," yells the announcer as the dance team, dressed in shiny silver bikinis, run out on to the court during a time out. "Come on, get up and clap your hands!" When Greece's top women players Vassiliki Karadassiou and Efrosyni Sfyri forced a tie-break against Australia's Summer Lochowicz and Kerri Pottharst Monday the crowd went mental. Fans roared soccer songs and chanted "Hellas, Hellas" before the Greeks were edged out by the Australians in three sets. "Isn't it fantastic?" defending Olympic champion Pottharst said. "That's because it's so much fun. "It's so athletic, you can see the players' emotions. I think by the time we get to the finals these stands will be rocking." Ticket sales at the Games topped three million Monday |
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Post by Curious on Aug 17, 2004 19:09:11 GMT -5
Capacity Crowds at Beach Volleyball Rock the Joint By Deborah Charles story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=577&ncid=577&e=9&u=/nm/20040817/sp_nm/olympics_beachvolleyball_crowd_dcATHENS (Reuters) - At the beach volleyball, the 2004 Olympics is a sell-out, foot-stomping success. Crowds poured into the 10,000-seat stadium Monday night to cheer on Greece, enjoy the bikini-clad cheerleaders and revel in the beach party atmosphere. Though Olympic ticket sales have lagged and many events have been sparsely attended in the opening days of the Athens Games, beach volleyball is again proving to be a huge draw. From the moment it debuted as a medal sport in Atlanta in 1996, beach volleyball has been one of the most popular spectator sports at the Olympics. On Bondi Beach in 2000, it attracted the fifth largest television audience of the 28 sports. In Athens, a "dance team" revs up the fans as do Greek- and English-speaking announcers who run out between sets to lead the clapping and singing. The rock-and-roll music that blasts in after each point helps keep the atmosphere buzzing as do the players who wave to the fans and urge them to make some noise. "You'll never hear us say 'quiet please' at beach volleyball," yells the announcer as the dance team, dressed in shiny silver bikinis, run out on to the court during a time out. "Come on, get up and clap your hands!" When Greece's top women players Vassiliki Karadassiou and Efrosyni Sfyri forced a tie-break against Australia's Summer Lochowicz and Kerri Pottharst Monday the crowd went mental. Fans roared soccer songs and chanted "Hellas, Hellas" before the Greeks were edged out by the Australians in three sets. "Isn't it fantastic?" defending Olympic champion Pottharst said. "That's because it's so much fun. "It's so athletic, you can see the players' emotions. I think by the time we get to the finals these stands will be rocking." Ticket sales at the Games topped three million Monday Curious, isn't it. Apparently, the "show" is certainly popular. The superficiality is striking. It's not about the volleyball, it's about "the show". I wouldn't walk across the street to watch beach volleyball, but I sure would for Stanford vs Hawaii, or several other REAL volleyball matches. "Beach volleyball = Junk sport?" Yup. And the same goes for Handball. Where in the heck did that one come from? Soccer, but you use your hands instead of kicking the ball into the net? Please. Regards |
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Post by romeo on Aug 17, 2004 19:37:50 GMT -5
Curious, I disagree with you about it being a junk sport. I've watched top collegiate players try to take to the beach and get absolutely toasted because they aren't athletic enough, or don't have an all around game, or aren't mentally tough. It is an absolute crack up to watch. Beach volleyball, even more than indoor, requires a true athlete. To say it isn't a legitimate sport is so false. I've played both types of vb, and love them both.
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Post by Curious on Aug 17, 2004 19:46:39 GMT -5
Curious, I disagree with you about it being a junk sport. I've watched top collegiate players try to take to the beach and get absolutely toasted because they aren't athletic enough, or don't have an all around game, or aren't mentally tough. It is an absolute crack up to watch. Beach volleyball, even more than indoor, requires a true athlete. To say it isn't a legitimate sport is so false. I've played both types of vb, and love them both. To each his/her own. But how can you deny that what is "selling" is the show, not the volleyball or athleticism? Regards |
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Post by romeo on Aug 17, 2004 20:06:02 GMT -5
To each his/her own. But how can you deny that what is "selling" is the show, not the volleyball or athleticism? Regards Well I didn't deny that. I disputed your view that it is a junk sport. Why cry foul because the beach is a different atmosphere than your hallowed indoor? Why not cry foul because the indoor contingent hasn't figured out a way to get the mainstream interested. eh? Yup, to each his own. I like both. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 17, 2004 20:08:00 GMT -5
I find it interesting that this sport, which supposedly has such great volleyball players, is now dominated by a young woman in her 4th or 5th year on the circuit (with an abdominal pull no less) and another player who had never played the game before.
Anyhow. I don't deny the players have skills. But that ain't why your Average Joe is watching.
I was listening to the local Sports Radio station the other day and for some reason they started talking about Porn and Misty May. How ridiculous is that? One of the best players of all time--indoor or outdoor--and she's being equated with a porn star?
Have them wear sweatsuits and see how much publicity they get.
And it's absolutely killing the indoor game.
I love Misty and Kerri. I just wish they were playing for the National Team...
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Post by romeo on Aug 17, 2004 20:13:58 GMT -5
I find it interesting that this sport, which supposedly has such great volleyball players, is now dominated by a young woman in her 4th or 5th year on the circuit (with an abdominal pull no less) and another player who had never played the game before. Sir Ruffda, most of the top women AVP players had excellent collegiate careers, and were the top athletes with an all-around game. Your example has two of the top collegiate players ever. That they excelled quickly at the beach game is no surprise. Your beef is with the marketing. I don't agree that it has anything to do with the popularity of the indoor game. They are different sports. BTW, I enjoy all your postings about the libero position, and agree with you there.  |
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Why don't they take a page out of USA Soccer (i.e. Mia Hamm) These people should be fired!!!
