AVP Tour runs out of money, cancels season
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The AVP Tour has canceled the rest of its beach volleyball season, including next weekend’s Manhattan Beach Open, because it has run out of money and was unable to find new investors.
Last month, The Times broke the news that the tour was in financial trouble.
“On behalf of AVP staff we want to express our sincere gratitude to fans, players, partners and sponsors,” Jason Hodell, the tour’s chief executive, said in a statement. “Words cannot express our profound disappointment.’
In a separate statement, AVP Commissioner Mike Dodd said, “Through the course of this investor search we have encountered individuals and groups with intelligence, common sense and a passion for the game of beach volleyball. Unfortunately, the time constraints were such that pulling the trigger on the amount of money necessary to salvage this season were too great. Ironically this sad news comes as we approach the 50th anniversary of the Manhattan Open, our sport’s crown jewel and the one event that showed us all we could dream big. The Open has seen its ups and downs over the years and always persevered. I’m sure our sport will do the same.”
Created in 1983 as a players’ association, the first AVP Tour was held in 1988. Stay tuned to latimes.com/sports for full details.
-- Debbie Goffa