The AVP faces a boycott of its Miller Lite U.S.
Championships in Hermosa Beach, CA, over the issue of charging
for seats to the event. A local volleyball player has started a
grass-roots group that launched a petition drive to keep the
events free. Two weeks ago, at the Manhattan Open in Manhattan
Beach, CA, the AVP charged for 25% of the seats -- and the
promoter of the event had threatened to pull some players out of
the competition if they couldn't charge for more. However, the
city of Manhattan's "coastal plan" did not allow for such an
increase, so the city picked up $50,000 in costs for police and
parking. This week, the Coastal Commission will allow the AVP to
charge for all seats because access to the beach is not limited.
AVP officials say they need to charge for the seats to foot the
bill for the tournament. AVP's Jon Stevenson: "The same people
who come to see these tournaments don't think twice about paying
to go to the movies. It's unthinkable not to charge to see some
of the best volleyball players in the world." AVP ticket prices
range from $6 to $30 (L.A. TIMES, 8/22).
