The ASP will be the subject of a takeover bid at the US Open according to strong and persistent rumours from credible sources close to ASP.
There are rumours of a rebel tour … and this time Kelly Slater isn’t involved. Or, if he is he’s keeping mum about it. Photo: ASP/Kirstin
And some of the same people behind the failed Rebel Tour in 2009 are believed to be behind this new bid, most notably Kelly Slater’s manager Terry Hardy.
“I’ll take the fifth on it and wait for it to play out. I do know who’s involved but I honestly don’t know details (by choice),” Slater told Surfing Life via email from the Mentawais, where he is on a Momentum generation reunion trip. “I’ve just kept myself out of the loop. If I snooped I could get the story but it’s only a couple weeks away and we’ll all know. Better than just trying to predict. US Open is news time from what I hear.”
ASP Surfers’ Rep Keiren Perrow did not deny the rumours but said he was legally unable to comment because of his position on the ASP Board.
ASP’s International Media Director Dave Prodan said only: “The ASP does not comment specifically on rumour or speculation. The affairs of the sport are constantly being discussed and analysed by members of the Board – this involves structures, formats, media rights, new markets, guidelines, etc. It’s safe to say these topics are discussed at every Board Meeting and will be again in Huntington Beach at the end of the month.”
The ASP has been without a CEO for six months, since Brodie Carr resigned over the infamous world title miscalculation in San Francisco last year. And the tour has been looking increasingly vulnerable with its almost total reliance on the major surf brands, as those companies experience tough times. Jeffreys Bay was the first casualty, downgraded from a World Championship Tour event to a six star, and now facing a dream swell window of back-to-back swells. The World Tour surfers are bitterly disappointed they don’t have an elite event at Jeffreys Bay, which may strengthen the mood for change.
The Billabong Pro J-Bay started last night (Australian time) in pumping surf. Did you go looking for the webcast? Lack of live web coverage on the first day was one of the casualties of the budget cut by The ‘Bong. Jack Freestone ripped, no matter if the world was watching or not. And the webcast should be back live tonight. Photo: ASP/Cestari.
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Source: Australia’s Surfing Life | Author: Tim Baker