Kerri Walsh Jennings Boycotts AVP Chicago

Basically, the AVP has decided to use the event in Chicago as a “TEST” event for two new rules they want to try out.

Rule 1: Server will receive another service attempt if their first attempt hits the net & falls inbounds. (Similar to tennis)

Rule 2: The score will freeze at match point and from then on teams must score a “real” point. Basically it’s back to the “old school” rule for the final point.

Now, I am not a fan of either of the rule changes, but that is not why I am sitting out. I am BOYCOTTING because of the fact that the AVP ownership decided to change the rules of the game WITHOUT honestly or meaningfully discussing it with the Player Committee or the athletes on tour.

This has never happened since I started playing this game 15 years ago (for good reason), and it’s crazy to me that the AVP would choose their “Championships” to test out some new rules. I wonder how the MLB athletes would respond to the rules of their game being changed for the World Series. This is obviously not a fair comparison, but you get my point! It doesn’t make sense.
In my opinion, this is utterly disrespectful of each and every athlete who virtually pays to work for the sport we all love and it is utterly disrespectful to the game itself.

The reason behind these rule changes is that ownership wants to make our game “more compelling”.

I believe that the popularity and the love our sport garnered at the Olympics 2 weeks ago, shows that our sport is already highly compelling. But again, it’s not about the rule changes themselves, it’s about the lack of proper process and athlete input.

I fully understand that our tour is privately owned and therefore the owner can do whatever he wants, but it can only succeed if the players voices are taken into account for the decision-making process.

I love my sport. I love the thought of positive change and growth for our sport. I love logical thinking. Without logic, I don’t know where I stand. I don’t know where my sport stands when it is being treated illogically. It is scary and it deserves to be called out.

One of my biggest priorities is to grow our sport domestically. To have a truly professional tour where the athletes can make a living. I want this for myself. I want this for the next generation of beach athletes and for the generations to come. THAT IS THE ONLY AGENDA I HAVE.

The grass roots, juniors, novice & collegiate levels are growing steadily & significantly every single year. The sport is strong. In order for the AVP to build upon this momentum and grow successfully, it is imperative that the players and management are on the same page.

That is why I’m fighting this fight. I believe in doing things the right way. I believe In respecting everyone and in allowing my actions to speak louder than my words.
I cherish and take very seriously my role as an ambassador for the sport of beach volleyball. I believe in the importance of having high standards. It is my job, as a professional athlete, to help protect the integrity of our sport. That is why I am doing what I’m doing. When you are talking about something as important as rule changes, it is important for players to be on board in order to maintain the integrity of the sport.

I am hopeful that this will help stimulate progress moving forward. In order to get change you sometimes need to stick to your guns – even if that means missing out on playing in an event you love so much. I have always absolutely loved & adored the Chicago events of the past.

I am hopeful the event this weekend will be a success and I am even more hopeful that this will lead to better communication & collaboration between ownership and the athletes. The dialogue has been initiated now and hopefully we will work on improving the process moving forward; unfortunately not enough progress has been made in order for me to feel comfortable enough to play this weekend.