The FIVB Asics World Series of Volleyball at Long Beach that concluded July 27 “was a rousing success” as promoter Leonard Armato “estimated 50,000 people came by during six days,” a 20-25% bump on the ‘13 event, according to Bob Keisser of the ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER. The crowd reaction “crushed some high decibels, the players enjoyed the atmosphere and the fans were as respectful to the international visitors playing as they were the homestanding Americans.” Armato put a “price tag to little more than 600 seats of the 5,000,” and the sale of those “raised $90,000.” Armato was “able to make his nut thanks to a sponsorship deal" with Asics, an NBC broadcast contract and "retailers who wanted a booth in the fairway.” Asics CEO Kevin Wulff has “met with FIVB officials about the Long Beach event and drove home the idea that tour needs a U.S. stop, and maybe even more than one.” He said, “They saw how engaged this market was for the event, and the feedback I got is that they’re ecstatic." Armato said that there is “discussion about hosting a second event in the U.S., perhaps one in Florida the week before Long Beach.” There has “also been interest by two cities in Canada.” Armato: “The Olympic Games make beach volleyball big every four years. I want to make it a big event in the U.S. once a year, to the degree that fans circle the Long Beach event on their calendars.” He added, “We’ve made that breakthrough. The sport now appeals to a mass audience.” Keisser noted the players were “unanimous in most every area -- happy with the setup and enormously impressed by the crowds.” The city and FIVB are “negotiating an extension of the contract for Long Beach; finding a date that works is the only hang-up” (OCREGISTER.com, 8/1).
