SportsLine USA - Pro Beach Volleyball Championships

Beach History

History of Pro Beach Volleyball

1930, the first two-man beach volleyball game was played, at Santa Monica, California.
1948, the first official two-man beach tournament was held, at State Beach in California.
1950's, Open tournaments held at five beaches in California. Santa Barbara, State, Corona Del Mar, Laguna, San Diego
1960's, Open tournaments held at eight beaches in California. Tahoe (added in late 60's), Santa Cruz, Santa Barbara, State, Manhattan (1st Manhattan Beach Open - 1960), Corona Del Mar, Laguna, San Diego
1974, the first money tournament was held. ($1,500 San Diego Open) Won by Dennis Hare and Fred Zuelich, 250 spectators
1976, Olympia Championship of Beach Volleyball ($5,000 first prize). Won by Menges/Lee, 30,000 spectators. Events Concepts founded to promote and expand beach tour. Von Hagen retires with record 62 Open Wins.
1978, Jose Cuervo Tequila enters as sport's first major sponsor.
1980, cash prizes for 7 tournaments. $52,000 prize total (Jose Cuervo sponsor). San Diego, Santa Barbara, Laguna ($5,000), Manhattan ($10,000), King of Beach ($12,000), World Championships ($15,000)
1981, Miller Brewing Company joins as major sponsor.
1982, cash prizes for 6 tournaments. $69,000 prize total (Miller Brewing sponsor). Tour becomes national, with Clearwater (Florida) Open.
1983, cash prizes for 12 tournaments. $137,000 prize total (Miller Brewing sponsor). Tour stopped in 4 states (CA, FL, NY, CO). Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP) founded (July 21, 1983). The AVP was formed in an attempt to protect player interest and to preserve the integrity of beach volleyball in the midst of the ever-increasing commercial success of the sport.
1984, Tour stopped in 7 states (CA, FL, NY, CO, IL, AZ, HA). 25 total events - Miller sponsored 18, Cuervo 7. Player strike at World Championships, Redondo Beach.
1985, Bolle Sunglasses joins as major sponsor. Total tour prize money reaches $275,000.
1986, Sport receives cable television coverage with "Prime Ticket". Pro Beach Volleyball makes its network debut on ABC's Wide World of Sports. Tour goes international, Rio de Janeiro. Women's Professional Volleyball Association (WPVA) formed.
1987, Tour stopped in 4 countries. Tour stopped in 9 states (CA, FL, NY, CO, IL, AZ, OH, WI, MA).
1988, cash prizes for 28 tournaments. AVP signs 3 year agreement with Miller, calling for $4.5 Million dollars. Cuervo sponsors three $100,000 events. Miller hires AVP to produce 23 Lite Beer events.
1991, King of the Beach Event added to schedule.
1993, NBC broadcasts 10 events. Estimated live attendance 600,000, $3,700,000 total prize money. September 21st, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) grants Beach Volleyball Olympic medal status.
1994, 27 total events. Evian sponsors indoor event at Madison Square Garden. Nestea sponsors four events. NBC broadcasts 10 events (21 hours), $4,000,000 total prize money
1995, 29 total events. Evian Indoor Tour expands to 4 events. (Washington, Boston, Minneapolis, New York)
1996, at the Olympics in Atlanta 24 men's teams and 16 women's teams will have the honor to represent their countries in the first ever Olympic Beach Volleyball Tournaments.

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