The AVP is “coming back with two events in September that the pro beach volleyball tour’s new owner hopes will capitalize on strong American performances in the Olympics,” according to Jimmy Golen of the AP. AOS Group Managing Partner & Owner Donald Sun, who bought the AVP in April, yesterday said that the tour “will resume in Cincinnati on Labor Day Weekend -- less than a month after the London Games and more than two years after the circuit declared bankruptcy.” A second event is “scheduled for Santa Barbara, Calif., on Sept. 15-16.” Sun said that he is “still arranging sponsorships that would cover the 2012 events’ combined $400,000 in purses.” Sun: “It’s an investment for the future, starting now. Instead of waiting for everything to be lined up, let’s just put our best foot forward and show that we’re here.” The AVP is “planning a more complete circuit in 2013.” Sun: “We could have waited until next year to do everything, but we really wanted to establish ourselves for 2012.” Future AVP seasons “will be organized around four majors that Sun said will have distinct qualities.” The four majors are the AVP Classic, the Open, the AVP Players Tournament and the AVP Championships. Sun has "not yet sought or received commitments from players, which will be a key factor in the tour’s success.” While the sport gets “a quadrennial bump from the TV coverage during the Olympics, that can quickly disappear if none of the recognizable names make it to the local beach volleyball event” (AP, 6/27).
