In the AVP's first full year back, they attract big names and big stages, and more or less par for the course by their standards while the NVL builds off of last year's momentum and reaches bigger audiences while the sport as a whole prospers and everyone eats cake and ice cream.
Ok, maybe that last part means nothing, and that was a little bit more than optomistic, but still here we are nearing the end of August and where do we find ourselves?
The NVL has managed to stream their matches, and hit major cities around the country, but due to scheduling and contract conflicts is unable to draw any of the big names in the sport, meanwhile the AVP is still par for the course, which as we know in business terms means they are shooting about 8+ for the round with 5 holes to go.
It may be difficult to gauge just how stable things are going right now, and that may be on the account that we aren't going anywhere. I mean have we really gotten any further than we have in the past? Does a year of bickering, infighting, table scraps payouts, and overlapping events really give you hope for the future? It may seem nice now, but if I'm reading the tea leaves, there's trouble ahead.
I knew it would be likely that the AVP would sign some of the star players of the sport to try and muscle out the "new" young gun tour, but I did not expect to see virtually EVERY notable take preference with the AVP over the NVL. Sure prize money has a lot to do with it, seeing as every NVL event looks to have a payout of only $7,500 to first place ($3,750 per person before taxes).
But just look at this past weekend. Long ago I scoffed at the idea that players would rather play for a tour that has shown that it has an unsuccessful business model in a city that has ZERO beach culture (although it has enough volleyball culture thanks to BYU) over a new tour that saved a lot of players their sponsors last year, and has a new refreshing model in a city that many of the same athletes live in within the mecca of beach volleyball. But I guess for the starving athletes of beach volleyball that type of decision isn't something that is worth placing on their conscience.
Sure the argument for free market competition sounds like it will strengthen the sport, but the sport doesn't even have any legs at this point, and despite its rich history it has basically reset back into its infancy years and is now crawling out of the gate.
We are all well aware that the AVP has gone bankrupt twice, but if that isn't stupefying enough, just consider that they managed to do that (twice) without a major competing tour, and with better sponsors and airtime with national broadcasts. Now you have to settle for early round matches streaming online, while another major tour takes away possible viewers, tickets, and merchandise. If the AVP couldn't succeed in the bubble then in what way are they or the sport for that matter be stronger when it seems like we are going to be in the same spot last year 5 years from now?
On the flip side of things, how is the NVL going to be able to develop their grassroots model if all the star athletes are flocking toward short-term prize money. At best the NVL will have to cater to the juniors and collegiate athletes (which isn't all bad since they can't pay out prize money to amateurs), but they still won't be the preeminent tour in the US. Worst case scenario, is that the AVP pushes the NVL past what their resources can accomplish, and they go belly up just before the AVP does, leaving everyone with no tour and a very bitter taste in their mouth.
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| Seriously, what are you guys doing? |
