The ASP´S hunt for an umbrella tour sponsor

What a difference a few months makes. Back in November, the announcement that the Association of Surfing Professionals had signed a 12.75-million-dollar media and marketing deal with London-based SportsWorld Media Group (SMG) was greeted with confusion and controversy.

But if the latest ASP Executive Board meeting in Jeffery´s Bay, South Africa, is any indication, those worries were unwarranted. In fact, the pro tour now has the type of television reach it once only dreamed of, and seems to be in a good position to land the type of umbrella tour sponsor to take the ASP -- and pro surfing -- to the next level.

Here´s what the folks closest to the deal think:

Sean O´Brien - TransWorld SURF Business

Surfersvillage