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THE NEW DEAL?
Possible alternative tour in 2010
By:
Marcus Sanders
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The idea of a new surfing world tour is nothing new.
Most recently, Derek Hynd attempted it back in 2000, with zero success. But that doesn't mean it can't be done. Over the course of the last few weeks, word of an all-new professional tour has begun to circulate. While specific details remain in question, a few things seem clear on how it differs from the current ASP World Tour: fewer surfers (16), shorter contests, more money, and more TV exposure.
When Surfline contacted Kelly on Tuesday, he explained, "We'll think and talk this thing out as much as needs to be done. There's no plan to get rid of ASP as far as I know. It seems very necessary to work with them, but the WCT is not ever going to truly evolve with the platform and agreements we have with the events owning the tour and our product being handled the way it has been for all these years. There is talk about money and all that, but it's secondary. The real issue is packaging what we have and what we do properly for people to enjoy in the best way possible. Obviously, it goes without saying it has to make sense and be good for all involved but things don't always appear that way when people first hear about something. Once shock and controversy wears off people get to the root of the problems and find sensible answers. Hopefully that happens quickly for everyone." We then spoke with Mathew Tinley, who, along with Slater's manager Terry Hardy and others, is one of the people behind the new tour. "The only thing I will adamantly say is that it's not 'Kelly's Tour,'" Tinley stated. Tinley will "neither confirm or deny" any rumors about the specifics of said tour, explaining: "It's best if we have a view of the whole system rather than piece bits of it out -- it's best to lay it out to everyone in detail all at once." Tinley said the timeline for the announcement could be in August. "There are some other very important people involved," continued Tinley. "And we're very excited to present the whole concept when the time is right." "It's best if we have a view of the whole system rather than piece bits of it out -- it's best to lay it out to everyone in detail all at once."
Mathew Tinley, one of the partners behind the new tour concept
ESPN's Chris Stiepock is also fairly tight-lipped about the whole thing. "We're definitely interested and in discussions with a group establishing a new global surf tour," he told Surfline. "But I can't comment in detail about what's going on because nothing is contractual yet."
MORE SURF NEWS
Here's the newest official statement from the ASP's CEO Brodie Carr:"At present, ASP has not received any proposals or information regarding this matter. As such, we cannot offer a view, state a position or comment. We remain open to listening to any new proposal. We are committed to working closely with our immensely-talented athletes and core industry supporters in delivering our international fan base credible Men's and Women's World Champions who surf the world's best waves. In addition to the Men's and Women's World Championship Tour, ASP governs the WQS, Longboard, Masters and Juniors globally". As far as the brands are concerned, Terry Hardy and a few partners pitched the concept to the Surf Industry Manufacturer's Association (SIMA) last week. Surfline contacted SIMA President and Vans VP of Marketing Doug Palladini to find out his take. "I can talk about it from Vans' position as an ASP license holder but SIMA doesn't have a take on it yet," he explained. "And while we look forward to hearing more about the new tour concept, and are planning to meet directly with the principals involved in the coming weeks, we also want to reiterate our support of the ASP World Tour, of which we are a part," he continued. "Vans, along with our partners at Billabong, Quiksilver, and Rip Curl, have invested our time, money, brand equity and other substantial resources to grow the World Tour -- take a look at tour webcasting and its online global following, for example -- and we're as committed as ever to its long-term success as a vital part of the surfing culture and its surrounding industry." Stay tuned to Surfline for updates as they become available. SURFLINE HOME PAGE |
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Comments: (59) Add Your Comment
Ryan 07/15/2009 09:37 PM
It's great that they are thinking outside the box, I think there is definitely room for another tour (a bit more liberal one at that). But yes, be careful what you wish for. If this thing makes it to sportscenter, it could bring unwanted entities with it, jockeying for a piece of the green-back pie. I'd like to know how they plan conducting sponsorships. I really don't want to watch the Geico/Starbucks-cutback-of-the-heat-REPLAY CAM!
Stone Cold Truth 07/15/2009 08:09 PM
The large majority of competitive surfing fans don't realise the stranglehold that the Big 3 (quik, bong, rip) have over the ASP. These are the companies that rule the ASP board and they are all guilty of stifling the growth of the sport. Sure, the events were altruistic in the formative years of ASP but now corporate greed is the driving force - case in point: the events voted at board level to take the media rights away from ASP to have themselves. What kind of board strangles its own company?
TTSS 07/15/2009 06:39 PM
Agree with Ghandi and Blowing Smoke. This is a bunch of crap by a sleazy sports agent who has lead Kelly down a Pied Piper path into a legal minefield that will dilute surfing and only profit Terry Hardy. He claims ESPN is on board, but that is a lie...ESPN is waiting to see what the ASP does. Kelly has never gone to an ASP Board Meeting (although welcome) and doesn't even go to the Surfer Meetings. He has some good ideas and all he had to do was work within the existing system.
SurfMediaMan 07/15/2009 04:39 PM ** EDITOR'S PICK
In 1997, ASP walked away from a 6-year Prime Time ESPN deal that offered separate tour shows for both the Men and the Women. Surfing had been on ESPN for 10 years and was at a Nielsen rating pinnacle. Coca-Cola was the sponsor. ASP companies decided they wanted to own their events. ASP bailed on ESPN. Coca-Cola bailed on ASP. Surfing on TV became fragmented and here we are. The webcasts have been great for the core but simply not enough for a Surf Industry that wants to Grow The Pond.
elite tour 07/15/2009 03:45 PM
There are lots so cool ways to make the WCT more exciting ... one make it like golf and if win an event you auto requalify (including wild cards) ... two world champ gets a 3 year auto qualify ... three all qualified surfers for WCT get full sponsorship via if they don't already have it ... based on a lottery system (since Bobby is not sponsored he would go into a lottery and one of the companies would pick him up...
terry 07/15/2009 11:13 AM
Just another slap to surfing as a whole as the main directive is to give it to the masses and that means $$ thats it in handbag!The current state of surfing is still developing and in some great ways improved webcasts are so cool and done very well truly alot of it is the mentallity SURFING is a SPORT from a JOCKS point of view yes but to hear DAMO this morning say how BEAUTIFUL it was to see PERFECT waves runnin the point it was hard to focus on his HEAT.. SURFING ART by GOD not changing!
Gandhi 07/15/2009 09:33 AM
I think Slater/Hardy have it all wrong. It's not about "revolution", it's about "evolution". There's no necessary reason for them to go out and start something completely different and pull athletes away from the ct (unless, of course, Slater/Hardy are after some money). This happened with boxing and Muhammad Ali years ago and it ruined the sport - spread the talent out, lost the impact, confused the audience. I suggest they take their ideas to ASP and affect positive change instead of war.
Mr. Soroa 07/15/2009 09:15 AM
Please, big brands, ASP,and other trade marks in the business, stop promoting the sport, it is getting overpopulated, promote the creation of new waves and truly invest o them...one of these days won´t be able to fit in.
chad b 07/15/2009 08:18 AM
I love the webcasts, Ive been watching them for a few years now and they keep getting better and better. I think they are on to something and they shouldnt put an end to a good thing. Theres been excellent surfing going down and Im always glued to my computer screen during any of the webcasts. 2010 is gonna be even better. Surfing has come very far in 10 years. Looking forward to the future of surfing, I think its gonna be bright!
Blowing Smoke 07/15/2009 08:16 AM
I don't think this article was worthless at all. I think it is one of the only media outlets actually reporting the facts - of which there are few. Terry Hardy has no idea, and if Kelly is on board with this, that's a disappointment. ESPN would be okay if done correctly, but they haven't event signed on yet - Hardy is just blowing smoke. On the plus side...HOW SICK WAS J-BAY THIS YEAR!!!!!!!!!
es 07/14/2009 07:32 PM
I kinda like the webcasts now covering the events, I don't really want to see it go mainstream on T.V. The top surfers seem to be doing fine, the sport of surfing is doing fine and ever evolving, we don't need soccer mom changing out there soccer ball magnets on they're mini-van's for surfboards
surfordie 07/14/2009 06:52 PM
To all you who want to see surfing on ESPN be careful. The great thing about the current world tour, is that its for surfers by surfers. Yes, the webcast quality is questionable and the interviews are often flaky, but at least it is geared toward real surf fans. If it goes on ESPN its going to be over glamorized and geared towards someone in Iowa who knows nothing about surfing and isn't going to see the ocean anytime soon. ESPN has shunned surfing for years until they can make a buck.
Shred Rippington 07/14/2009 04:20 PM
Bozo's midnight surf in chum thrill-a-thon! Throw in some sharks with laser beams attached to their heads and janitors on SUP's. Back light the bottom of the ocean with halogens and get to to scrapin mates!
Dank 07/14/2009 03:31 PM
The ASP is trying to cater to the sponsers too much. Why do they allow the sponsors to run their own webcasts? One contest (Brazil) the webcast is painful to watch with no heats on demand while the next contest (J-Bay) is produced in a professional manner. How can you expect to get major sponsors to throw down real money and give the sport mainstream exposure when the sport is presented with minor league production. Cut it down to 32 the top 24 let the sponsors have 3 WC's and top 5 from trials.
07/14/2009 03:25 PM
View All Comments (59 comments)
Absolutely worthless article. You told us nothing except that a new tour might be created and that no one wanted to comment on it. You could have said that in one sentance.
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ABOUT SURFLINE'S COMMENTS: Surfline comments are intended to foster and continue a community discussion and/or debate on the topic brought up by the feature above. We encourage you to comment and express your opinion. Before commenting, you should know that Surfline Comments are moderated, which means that comments containing personal attacks, excessive profanity, or off-topic remarks may not be posted. Also, 'EDITOR'S PICKS' are comments that we feel capture points-of-view from all sides of the issue at hand, not necessarily the comments Surfline most agrees with. Thanks. --the editors
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