CHANGES AFOOT FOR PRO SURFING ASP partners with new media company, ZoSea (updated Oct 6) By Marcus Sanders

Published: October 6, 2012

October 6, 2012 Views: 6,912







CHANGES AFOOT FOR PRO SURFING Laying out possible changes for pro surfing after ASP and ZoSea agree on partnership..





1

2

Related After a couple days of meetings and moments after Dane Reynolds exited this Hossegor tube, the ASP released the news. Photo: Kirstin/ASP

(L-R) ASP Tour manager Renato Mickel, ASP surfer rep Kieren Perrow, contest director Miki Picon. "It's an important time for surfing," Perrow said. "The supporters of the sport have sacrificed a lot of time and energy into professional surfing, and it has brought us to our current position where we're attractive to a larger market with the ability to take surfing to a whole new level." Photo: Kirstin/ASP



After a series of meetings in France,







According to one reliable source, here's what that means: ZoSea is taking over the media rights to the events from the brands, who have always held those rights for their events. "It's no shock that the world we live in is financially very different," the source said. "Brands support athletes, advertising and events - why should the brands have to pay for events when they sponsor athletes as well?"



The conversation was put in front of the brands in February 2012 during the Quiksiver Pro on the Gold Coast, and rumors and speculation have been rife ever since. Turns out, not much is going to change for the day-to-day running of the tour. "The brands and the surfers are behind it," the source maintained. "They're going to keep the same structure, the same people involved, but with new owners. We believe in these people and we believe there's a better path than the one we're currently on. It's the best thing that could happen."



Having an outside media group like ZoSea come in may have certain advantages. "These guys are bringing some dollars to the table; I believe they're smart and they have better contacts than us," the source continued. "And we need a visionary who's going to be able to take pro surfing to new places over the next three to five years. It's been weird since Brodie Carr (former ASP CEO) left last year. Rabbit Bartholomew came in a decade ago with a vision for what the dream tour could look like; this is the next step."



"It's an important time for surfing," Kieren Perrow, ASP Surfer Representative, said. "The supporters of the sport have sacrificed a lot of time and energy into professional surfing, and it has brought us to our current position where we're attractive to a larger market with the ability to take surfing to a whole new level. Everyone, from the surfers to the fans to the events to the sport, will benefit and it's an exciting time for the ASP."



The formal closing of this transaction between ZoSea Media and ASP International is anticipated to be achieved by year's end.



Updated October 6th, 2:45pm PST



We just heard back from ASP's media manager Dave Prodan. See below for a brief interview.



What does this relationship with ZoSea media mean for the future of pro surfing?

ZoeSea Media and ASP International will collaborate with the current ASP organization on structure, sponsorship and media rights. The result will be a more consistent, stable and powerful sport for the surfers, events and fans.



Can we get some background on Paul Speaker and Terry Hardy?

Paul Speaker has held high-level posts with the NFL, the Entertainment Industry and previous sat on the Board at Quiksilver. His focus is now firmly on enhancing the ASP. Terry Hardy has represented high-profile athletes such as Kelly Slater and Tony Hawk and brings with him a wealth of knowledge in regards to surfing and entertainment industry mechanisms,



Hardy spearheaded a Rebel Tour in 2009 that didn't happen; is this an extension of that?

The ASP arrangement with ZoSea has no relation to the Rebel Tour of 2009.



Was there any specific event that moved in this direction? If so, what was the event?

The ASP Board of Directors, with input from surfers, events and staff, identified several components that could greatly enhance the current structure of the ASP. ZoSea's proposal accommodated these components and then some.



Rod Brooks is obviously supportive -- what about other event sponsors?

Yesterday's Board Vote is sealed, but suffice it to say that the ASP Board of Directors, surfers, events and staff are all extremely supportive of the next evolution of professional surfing.



Will this mean more or fewer events?

The ZoSea/ASP arrangement will stabilize the schedules at the ASP Men's and Women's WCT level. All qualifying events (Prime and Star) currently scheduled for 2013 will remain en tact unless altered by the Special Committee.A Special Committee, comprised of the Commissioner*, ASP Surfer Board Member and ASP Surfer Brand Member will be appointed to handle directional issues for the sport of professional surfing.



*The new ASP organization will create an Office of the Commissioner, tasked with overseeing all technical aspects of the sport: judging, event locations, structures, schedules, etc. This Office of the Commissioner will ensure that a recognized surfing skill set always maintains an authority within the sport. The Commissioner will be voted upon by the surfers themselves.



Will this affect prizemoney, format or judging?

There is a guaranteed increase in prize purse for both the men's and women's ASP WCT levels over the next several years. The new ASP organization will create an Office of the Commissioner, tasked with overseeing all technical aspects of the sport: judging, event locations, structures, schedules, etc. This Office of the Commissioner will ensure that a recognized surfing skill set always maintains an authority within the sport. The Commissioner will be voted upon by the surfers themselves.



Will this affect the tiered system? (Pro JR, WQS, WCT)

The technical aspects of the sport will be the arena of the Office of the Commissioner.



How will this move affect ASP staff?

All new management is part of an ongoing discussion between current management and ZoSea Media. ZoSea group plan to enhance current staff and structure to the benefit of the sport.



How does the ASP and ZoSea plan to make money? Sponsorship of events by endemic and non-endemic? What percentage do you see from endemic and non endemic? Premium packages (pay to watch webcasts, etc)?

ZoeSea Media and ASP International will collaborate with the current ASP organization on structure, sponsorship and media rights.

All financial details will be worked out in the interim between now and the official closing of the deal. However, ZoeSea find extreme value in the current sponsors who are supporting the tour and will embrace them wholeheartedly throughout the transition process.



How will this affect media rights? Who will own 'em? Who will produce the events and webcasts?

Details regarding how webcasts will be structured will be revealed in the coming months. However, all parties (surfers, administrators, events and ZoSea) agree that working towards a consistent and quality product is the ultimate goal.



Will the number of people on tour be affected? (Hardy's "rebel tour" was said to have only 16 surfers.)

Any major changes to the tour numbers will be determined through the Office of the Commissioner. Surfer numbers will not be effected in the immediate future and change to tour numbers, as has always been the case, will be governed by surfer-led committees.



When will be know the 2013 schedule?

The 2013 schedule is traditionally released in late November.



+++



Check back for updates on this story as it continues to develop.

the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) announced yesterday that they have entered into a partnership with ZoSea Media, founded by Paul Speaker (former president of Time Inc. Studios and a board member at Quiksilver) and Terry Hardy (Kelly Slater's manager and backer of the original "rebel tour" in 2009.)According to the press release, the agreement is "designed to enhance the organizational structure of the sport as well as the direction of professional surfing in the coming years. This measure enjoys the comprehensive support of surfers, events, staff and ASP Board Members."