While people may think a league idea is too bold or out-there, there are certainly pros to it such as:
1) You really help establish team associations for fans to attach to
2) Merchandising options increase through team gear much like an NBA or NHL fans buys gear for their team(s). This can generate revenue in a way the sport has never been able to before
3) Creates an atmosphere where players may actually get some guaranteed salary (albeit probably small as things get started), but that's more re-assuring than possibly not getting enough money to even cover costs of participating in a tournament, which is the case now for a lot of players
4) Helps create an environment that nationalizes the sport instead of everyone thinking they have to live in S. California if they want to make it as a "pro" beach volleyball player
Anyways, if someone wants to shoot down this idea fine, but offer what you think are better ideas.
volleytalk.proboards.com/post/872696/threadI wrote about something similar in a previous thread (had to search for it, page 16)
It was suggested that I move this to it's own thread.
I wrote this thinking on how the AVP could become stable again, I also emailed it to the AVP. While it may be a little naive, I do think this could work.
My proposal is multi layered and will span the whole Beach Volleyball Community. First and most important, is to bring fans back. Second, is to incorporate more and diverse sponsor involvement while removing some of the burden from the AVP. 3rd, is to grow the AVP Brand and Beach Volleyball into a winning product.
To accomplish these goals, I see the need to establish personal connections, build rivalries and support amongst the Fans, Players and Tour. In the late 80s/ early 90s when you were a Karch/Kent fan you probably were not Stokles/ Smith or Hov/Dodd fans and vice versa. You liked the products they wore and the style they played with. To bring this back, my plan would be placing “Franchises” or “Clubs” throughout the states. This will hopefully lead to more regional/local involvement in the tournaments that are close and increase travel/viewership in tournaments not in their region. This will also intertwine local marketing throughout the whole AVP season. Up and coming companies that may not be able to be a tour sponsor may be able to be 1 of 4 sponsors of a Franchise seen at every tournament and then grow into a major sponsor. I think of Orlando/Tampa, that has Corporate homes of Darden restaurants (Red Lobster, Olive Garden, etc), Outback Steakhouse, EA Sports, the visitors Bureau, Marriott Timeshare among others.
My Idea is you start with 12 franchises per gender, each franchise costs $15k (the 1st year). The Franchises can pass on the costs to the sponsors or not. By charging this fee, you are creating $180K revenue per gender while not adding much overhead. I would like the franchises to be owned by individuals or groups of individuals who are known in their respective volleyball communities. I think you could start with 4 franchises in California and spread the other 8 amongst the other states. These cities are in very good beach volleyball supported areas including places for possible Major tournaments. They also are big enough cites to elicit sponsorships.
The following areas would be my suggestions for the Franchises out of California:
Chicago
Cincinnati
Dallas or Austin
S. Florida
Central Florida (Tampa/Orlando)
Phoenix
New York
Milwaukee
For California, I figured 2 in the LA beach area, 1 each in the San Diego and NorCal areas.
Franchise Overview
Each Franchise Receives 2 spots into the main draw regardless of overall team rankings (but must be Franchise’s highest ranked teams), this gives you the main draw automatics at 24. With 8 more teams coming from the qualifier. Each Franchise will also get up to 3 teams into the qualifier. Teams do not have to be from the franchise area, just agree on contracts. Franchises are responsible for signing their own teams, having sponsors as needed. Franchises can offer Salaries or stipends to their players. Franchises can sign teams to 3,6 or 12 tournament contracts.
Franchises can not have sponsors in the following markets on site:
Volleyballs, water, alcohol, Auto (list to be determined by AVP)
Clothing, Sun block, Sun glasses, energy drinks and hotels MUST be open to the franchises for sponsorships this will get more companies involved in the AVP.
EVERYONE associated Primitive Prints with Ack, Sinjin With Side Out, Kent Steffes with Fila, Karch with Speedo.
Franchised teams do not pay tournament entry fees for the 2 main, and 1 Qualifier spot. 2 additional spots can be bought for $50 apiece.
Each franchise will get a marketing package that consists of a limited (but equal) amount of court banners and signage that they can designate to their sponsors as they see fit.
The sponsor logos will be on the players uniforms, and their equipment, larger signage and net ribbon will be for Tour sponsors only along with preferred placement as the AVP sees fit.
AVP Tour Overview
Regular season play
12 tournaments
24 teams main draw, qualifiers and Wild cards make up the other 8
Tournaments and qualifying will be seeded according to team rank, franchise affiliation has no bearing.
Teams without a franchise may enter the qualifier only regardless of rank, unless receiving a WC. Qualifier entry is $100. Basically as now run.
Special Events
These can operate like normal like the King/Queen of the Beach. You could also incorporate a Franchise Cup point standing.
The Benefits to the AVP
• Franchising out these clubs will create direct bottom line revenue ($360k) while also creating mini hubs for Marketing and future growth.
• The AVP will Still be able to offer Tour Sponsorship to a Title sponsor, and Major sponsors.
o Official Ball sponsor
o Official Beer sponsor
o Official Car Sponsor
• You can create an AVP brand for Merchandise, while selling Name Brand Team apparel on site (supplied by the brands at no cost to AVP) taking a Percent of sale for service.
• The AVP will also have direct access to the Established Franchises to offer specific sponsorships that match up well with the products offered. For Example, Quiksilver, Speedo, Plastic and Maui and Sons all sponsor teams. Plastic may want to do something specific at one of the tours in a market where their product isn’t as well known. They could pay to sponsor an on-site event. 12 franchises for each gender (24 total) will have multiple sponsors who will want their product to be perceived as the best, the AVP will give them the platform (at a price) to show it.
o Booth Rental
o Signing tents
o On court fan interactions (serving contests)
• All Players must have an AVP membership, $100 per year.
• An owners board, to use to make recommendations, gather info. No say in AVP business, will preside over owner conduct & issues.
• Flexibility, you can change the number of Franchises, increase/decrease the costs of Franchises.
The Benefits for the players of the AVP
• There is power in numbers, these smaller clubs may support many more players other than the top pros this should also help the smaller tours as well as it should increase quality.
• The top pros will benefit by having someone find multiple sponsorships, help organize travel and registration.
• Depending on the Franchise, players may be able to negotiate pay outside of the tournament prize money.
• The Qualifier is still available for players without a Franchise, and could lead to being picked up by a Club.
The Benefits for the Fans of the AVP
• Establishing consistent teams with more organization producing a better product.
• Injecting more money into the AVP should provide fans with a better experience on site and TV.
• Choices in apparel/Merchandise, not just pushing the AVP, but teams/ players creating a passion seen in other sports.
The Benefits for the Franchises of the AVP
• Owning these Franchises will empower each of them in their own region creating a trickle down effect. They will be able to develop “home grown” talent on the local tours and offer them their entries into the tournaments and sponsors while raising their own brand awareness on the smaller supporting tours (EEVB, CBVA, DTB, etc.).
• They should have their own web-sites promoting their own players brands, offering Merchandise, even camps and training. These Franchises will become the biggest and best thing in Beach Volleyball in their perspective area creating relationships with the Pro players, fans and sponsors.
• Growing/maintaining USA Beach Volleyball.
Read more:
volleytalk.proboards.com/thread/44907/ideas-avp#ixzz2VuhK39nv