Sports Media Report
Wilson Sporting Goods Co., and the Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP), today announced they have extended their partnership through 2020. As part of this relationship, Wilson will provide the AVP with a newly-redesigned AVP- branded Beach Volleyball to be used during the 2016 AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour. Wilson has provided the Official Game Volleyball of the Tour, which is the only professional tour in the U.S. where today’s top stars battle for a championship, since 1996.
“We are thrilled to continue our partnership with the AVP,” said Kevin Murphy, General Manager, Inflates and Digital Products, Wilson. “We take great pride in providing the country’s most elite players with a volleyball that reflects the very best of our player-driven innovation process, leading, hand-sewn craftsmanship and our collaborative relationship with the AVP and our beach volleyball Advisory Staff.”
“Beach volleyball is the fastest-growing sport in the U.S., and we are excited to see the popularity of the Pro Beach Volleyball Tour contributing to that growth, said Donald Sun, Managing Partner, AVP. “Wilson has been a long-standing supporter of our sport and organization. They understand what our player’s need from their volleyball – greater control when serving, setting and hitting – and have designed the AVP ball to do just that. It’s particularly appropriate that Wilson is based in Chicago, home of our 2016 Championship finals.””
As part of its partnership with the AVP, Wilson also provides the Official Volleyball of AVP Next and AVP First, which are nationwide programs designed to foster beach volleyball participation and create a path for aspiring athletes as they look to reach the professional ranks and play on the AVP Tour. Wilson volleyballs are also used for AVP tournaments, AVP open qualifiers and grassroots developmental tournaments associated with the AVP.
Redesigned 2016 Wilson AVP Game Volleyball
The 2016 Wilson AVP Game Volleyball is the highest quality outdoor ball available to professional and aspiring beach volleyball players today; it is a preferred game ball amongst all levels of players from three-time Olympic Gold Medalist and Wilson Advisory Staff Member Kerri Walsh Jennings to youth club programs.
The 2016 Wilson AVP Game Volleyball features the well-known AVP logo and new, bright yellow artwork to increase ball visibility while in play. Wilson designed this volleyball with the insights and feedback from top-ranking professional beach volleyball players participating in this year’s Tour, including Walsh Jennings.
Each Wilson AVP Game Volleyball is made to the highest specifications and standards of the AVP. Wilson Labs, the innovation hub at Wilson, designed the ball to maximize player performance in beach volleyball conditions. The ball features an 18-panel, high quality, hand-stitched microfiber composite leather cover. And the ball’s handcrafted construction helps ensure superior strength, durability and shape integrity – preserving the ball’s aerodynamic structure – which allows athletes to play with greater control.
Further, the Wilson AVP Game Volleyball also offers great rebound and air retention due to the butyl rubber bladder inside the ball.
The 2016 Wilson AVP Game Volleyball is available for pre-order on www.wilson.com today, and will be available for purchase in select retail stores in April. The ball retails for $64.99.
