The WPVA Board of Directors announced that it has begun
a search for a new Exec Dir after asking Nancy Lengel "to
step down from the post" late last week. The Board plans to
fill the position by October. In a statement, the WPVA adds
that the '97 season has proven to be a "challenging one," as
two tour events, including the Aspen, CO, event scheduled
for this weekend, have been cancelled due to financial
considerations. WPVA Board of Directors Player Rep Krista
Blomquist: "The Board feels it's time for us to take this
association in a new direction. We feel it's important to
take this time to fully evaluate our current status and
solidify our plans for the 1998 season. ... We're taking
the necessary steps to make that happen" (WPVA).
ON THE BEACH: Pro beach volleyball is profiled by
Christine Foster of FORBES, who notes the AVP has played to
250,000 fans in 24 cities so far during its March-August
season. While gate receipts for the AVP will "only" be
$1.75M this year, sponsorships from advertisers such as
Miller Lite, Irish Spring and Kodak will bring in an
estimated $8M. AVP CEO Jerry Solomon: "The California
lifestyle is a product that is exported all over the world.
Beach volleyball is part of that" (FORBES, 9/8).
