The upcoming AVP season is examined by Brockinton &
Reynolds of INSIDE MEDIA, and it touts "new sponsors, more
live TV coverage, increased national/local promotional
activities, enhanced on-site amenities and adjusted on-court
rules." American Honda and Volleyball magazine have become
official sponsors and NJ-based ISI has been retained to land
sponsorship and media packages. ISI is looking to find a
soft drink, water and isotonic beverage sponsor after Coca-
Cola/PowerAde dropped its AVP package (INSIDE MEDIA, 1/29).
SIDE OUT W/PEACOCK? Brockinton & Reynolds note that
the "big question" for the AVP is whether '97 "will mark the
final year of the AVP on NBC." NBC's schedule, featuring
"more golf" and a commitment to the WNBA "in late-afternoon
time slots ... is a lot more crowded" than when the network
first signed the AVP. AVP CEO Jerry Solomon: "NBC has been
and continues to be a great supporter of the AVP. We feel
there should be six to ten AVP telecasts on broadcast per
year ... So we're right in the ballpark." NBC Sports Senior
VP/Programming Jon Miller: "The AVP is a good property that
helped us fill a niche six years ago when we lost Major
League Baseball and before we had Notre Dame football, more
golf and now the WNBA. Jerry understands the network sports
business and the need to be flexible. We have every
intention that the AVP will be back in some format" (INSIDE
MEDIA, 1/29 issue).
