Wilson Sporting Goods Co. and the Assocation of Volleyball Professionals Extend Partnership to 2020

Chicago, March 3, 2016 (Newswire.com) - 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.

The 2016 AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour

The AVP Pro Beach Volleyball 2016 schedule includes eight events in seven states, including the final FIVB Olympic Qualifying event in the U.S. before Rio, in Cincinnati. Tournaments will be held from April through July, with a break for the Rio Olympics in August leading into in the AVP Championships in Chicago in September.

The 2016 slate includes returns to successful AVP venues in New Orleans (April 15-17); Huntington Beach, Calif. (May 6-8); Cincinnati (May 16-21); Seattle (June 3-5); New York City (June 17-19); and Manhattan Beach, Calif. (July 15-17); and the finals in Chicago (September 2-4). The AVP welcomes San Francisco (June 24-26) as a new city for 2016.

Each of the AVP’s eight tour stops (including the Championships) will feature three or four days of world-class beach volleyball competition featuring Olympic champions and world-renowned athletes competing in a family friendly atmosphere filled with great music, food and interactive activities.

About Wilson Sporting Goods Co.
Chicago-based Wilson Sporting Goods Co., a subsidiary of Amer Sports Corporation, is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of sports equipment, apparel and accessories. As the Official Game Ball of the AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour and the Official Game Ball of the 2016 NCAA® Beach Volleyball Championship, Wilson is an industry leader in indoor and outdoor volleyball. The Company uses player insights to develop products that push equipment innovation into new territories. Through the Company’s dedication to creating products that enable athletes at every level to perform at their best, Wilson has earned its place as a leader in sporting goods for over a century. Visit www.wilson.com for more information.

About the AVP
Established in 1983, the AVP (Association of Volleyball Professionals) produces, markets and distributes volleyball events worldwide, including the popular AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour. While promoting family-oriented events and supporting a healthy lifestyle, the AVP is best known for its world-class athletes, who have won numerous Gold, Silver and Bronze medals in the Olympic games. The AVP headquarters are in Costa Mesa, California, USA. Visit www.avp.com for more information.