AVP, Inc. (BULLETIN BOARD: AVPI) , a lifestyle sports entertainment company focused on professional beach volleyball, today announced an agreement with Hicks Sports Marketing Group to bring the fast-growing AVP Crocs Tour to Ameriquest Field in Arlington, Texas to be titled the AVP Cuervo Gold Crown Dallas Open.
Dallas is the third new city announced for the 2007 AVP season (Charleston, SC was announced on Dec. 8, 2006 and Glendale, AZ announced on Jan. 3, 2007) and will make up one of 18 events nationwide. The tournament is scheduled to take place April 19-22, 2007 in Arlington, Texas, adjacent to Ameriquest Field.
AVP's Dallas debut features an integrated partnership with Hicks Sports Marketing Group, who will actively promote and present the event. Hicks Sports Marketing Group will be responsible for selling all local revenue for the tournament, including tickets, concessions, sponsorships and hospitality, with AVP maintaining control over all of its assets. Tickets will be available for purchase in mid February on the official AVP website (www.avp.com).
The AVP Cuervo Gold Crown Dallas Open will kick off with an open qualifier on Thursday, April 19 and continue with the main draw throughout the weekend, culminating with the men's and women's finals on Sunday, April 22. More than 150 of the world's top men's and women's beach volleyball professionals will compete in the tournament, televised on Fox Sports Net.
At a press conference today, Hicks Sports Marketing Group Senior Vice President Brad Alberts, AVP CEO and Commissioner Leonard Armato, and AVP Professional Beach Volleyball Stars Holly McPeak and Jake Gibb announced the agreement.
"Hicks Sports Marketing Group is very excited to be working with the AVP in bringing professional beach volleyball back to Dallas," said Alberts. "The AVP and Hicks Sports Marketing Group are committed to top quality sports and entertainment, and volleyball fans all over Texas are going to love seeing the quality of talent the AVP brings."
"We are thrilled to announce this new partnership enabling us to bring The AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour back to the great state of Texas," said Armato. "We look forward to working with Hicks Sports Marketing Group to bring the excitement and competition of the AVP Crocs Tour to our fans in Dallas and surrounding areas and continue expanding the popularity of the sport of pro beach volleyball."
