AVP is Back!

After more than a year, the AVP is brought back to life and finally has NEW OWNERS!

Here’s the complete press release on its website:

Contact: Hans Stolfus
AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour
(612) 991-9998
hstolfus@avp.com

COSTA MESA, CA — April 2, 2012

The Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP) announced Monday that AOS Group, LP purchased 100% of the AVP assets from its previous owner, DFA PVA II Partners, LLC. The AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour is the longest running professional beach volleyball league in the world.

The Managing Partner and Owner of AOS Group, LP, Donald Sun, said: “I am very excited to become the new owner of the AVP. Anyone who knows me knows that I love the game of beach volleyball. Especially the game of the ‘80s and ‘90s. I played it regularly growing up, watched it frequently, and look forward to protecting and promoting the brand as the pinnacle of the sport.”

Managing Member of DFA PVA II Partners, LLC, Nick Lewin said: “We had a number of buyers for the AVP, but decided to sell to Donald, who has a real passion for both the sport and the brand. We have the utmost confidence that Donald and his team can build the AVP into exactly what we all envision.”

The AVP was formed on July 21, 1983, to protect players’ interests and to preserve the integrity of beach volleyball. Over the span of 28 years, the AVP held professional beach volleyball events in three countries and more than 35 states. The brand has been a staple mark within the sport and still remains the only professional sports league synonymous with Southern California.

Former AVP Commissioner and 75-time tournament champion Mike Dodd said: “Donald Sun enters our world of volleyball with three refreshing traits, humility, a true love of the game and respect for the history of beach volleyball. I am confident Donald will surround himself with the right people to help him navigate the complex beach volleyball terrain as well as develop alliances and strategies that will help bring the beach game back to prosperity and revive the AVP brand. This is wonderful news for players, sponsors and our loyal fans.”

Sun acknowledged it will take time and cooperation to relaunch the tour, “I understand we’ve lost considerable time in trying to put together a 2012 tour schedule,” Sun said. “I also respect the activities and accomplishments of the current leagues. My goal is to work together in some way to unify beach volleyball in America.”

Sun concluded, “The AVP is rich in history. It’s a history I believe is worth saving and sharing with the world’s passionate beach volleyball community. October’s event illustrated how much support there still is for the brand by players and fans. Now it’s time to cultivate that support by creating really great events reminiscent of the past that can take the AVP into a sustainable future so we don’t risk losing them again.”

We’re EXTREMELY HAPPY that the AVP is back!

It’s going to take some time to resurrect it in the US but we’re optimistic that it’s going to have a successful comeback.

With the AVP, the NVL & other domestic tours, beach players now have more options where to play, make money and of course fulfill their dreams to compete against the best.

THOUGHTS?