Dew Action Sports Tour Stop In Orlando Sets Attendance Mark

Sheckler Cashing In On Growing Popularity Of Skateboarding

For the second consecutive year, the Orlando stop on the Dew Action Sports Tour “set a series attendance high, all but assuring a multi-year return beginning next season at TD Waterhouse Centre,” according to Tim Povtak of the ORLANDO SENTINEL. Dew Action Sports Tour GM Wade Martin said, “I’m not exactly sure why, but this is a real strong action-sports market, the best we have. We’re here for the long haul.” The original two-year contract between the tour and the city has expired, but Martin said that he “expects to sign a new contract soon.” Povtak notes four-day tickets to the Orlando event cost $30, and one-day tickets cost $12 in advance. The Orlando stop drew a tour-record 59,470 fans over four days. Attendance went up in each of the five cities from ’05 to ’06, “fueling the belief that the NBC-owned tour will continue to grow” (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 10/16).

SKATER BOY: In Miami, Brian Costa writes 16-year-old skateboarder Ryan Sheckler is a “phenomenon, comparable to teenage stars in the entertainment industry. He has a personalized line of sneakers, jeans and eyewear. He has appeared in commercials, television shows and movies. He has traveled the world, hung out with [rapper] 50 Cent and recently hosted a Video Music Awards after-party for [rapper] Lil’ Jon.” Sheckler’s mother is his manager, while his father runs his Web site, RyanSheckler.com, “which has about 20 million hits this year.” Sheckler also has an agent, Circe Wallace, “who handles his theatrical work.” He has shot commercials for Gogurt, Frosted Flakes and Sony, and has appeared in the films “Grind” and “MVP2.” Ryan Sheckler Inc. is also “working on a pilot for a reality TV series” about his life (MIAMI HERALD, 10/16). In L.A., Pete Thomas wrote Sheckler earns a “combined six-figure salary” from his sponsors, “plus photo incentives.” Wallace said, “Ryan is more relevant to the mainstream than most street skaters because of a variety of factors. Not only is he cute, but he’s smart, a virtual celebrity and by far one of the best skaters in the world” (L.A. TIMES, 10/14).