sign in sign up
<<
Home , Beach volleyball, Kerri Walsh Jennings, Manhattan Beach Open, Nicole Branagh, Phil Dalhausser, Todd Rogers

CITY OF MANHATTAN BEACH

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact: Mark Leyman Parks and Recreation Director City of Manhattan Beach 310-802-5402 Phone 310-802-5051 Fax

Manhattan Beach Open Celebrates Beach with a Retro Twist Granddaddy of Celebrates 53 Years in Beach Volleyball Tradition from August 23 - 25

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA (June 26, 2013) – In conjunction with the City of Manhattan Beach, IMG will produce the largest beach volleyball tournament of the summer with the return of the from August 23 - 25.

This year’s Manhattan Beach Open will offer $200,000 in prize money – doubling last year’s total – as players go head-to-head for the Manhattan Beach Open title and a permanent plaque on the Volleyball Walk of Fame. Announced earlier this month, the tournament has been added as the second of seven on the 2013 AVP Tour.

“We are proud to host this iconic event in our city,” stated City Manager David Carmany. “We welcome visitors from around the world to join our community as we watch and participate in this wonderful event on our beautiful beach. The Manhattan Beach Open has been an annual rite of summer for more than half a century and we look forward to the great competition.”

Celebrating 53 years of beach volleyball tradition, the iconic tournament honors greats of the past and present, beginning with the Volleyball Walk of Fame red carpet ceremony at the Manhattan Beach Pier on August 22 to honor last year’s men’s and women’s champions , Jenny Kropp, Whitney Pavlik, Sean Scott and , who will earn their second bronze plaques on the Manhattan Beach Pier, with the exception of Scott, who will be enshrined for the third time.

“The Manhattan Beach Open has been called the granddaddy and the crown jewel of beach volleyball tournaments – two titles that are well-deserved with its 53 year legacy in the sport,” said James Leitz, senior vice president, IMG Worldwide and executive producer of IMG’s beach volleyball events. “This year, we will celebrate with a throwback theme, taking us back to the roots of beach volleyball – intense competition, fan entertainment and a sense of nostalgia that made the world fall in love with this sport. We are honored to be part of this tradition and to once again work with the City of Manhattan Beach to produce such an iconic event.”

With the top beach volleyball players now under exclusive contract to play in the AVP, Manhattan Beach will host the country’s best, including three-time Olympic gold medalist , Olympic gold medalists and , Olymic silver medalists and Jen Kessy, two-time Olympian and Olympian .

“We’re thrilled to be a part of the Manhattan Beach Open, and we couldn’t be happier to have the world’s best players competing on a beach with so much history behind it,” said Donald Sun, the AVP’s managing partner. “IMG has been a terrific partner, and the city of Manhattan Beach has welcomed us with open arms.”

Sponsors of the 2013 Manhattan Beach Open will include Bud Light, Paul Mitchell, Lyfe Kitchen, GNC, Wilson and more.

For more information about The Manhattan Beach Open, go to the AVP and the Manhattan Beach Open websites for the full program schedule. Keep up with the latest at Facebook, Twitter or on Instagram @ theMBOpen.

About the City of Manhattan Beach Manhattan Beach is a beachfront city located in southwestern County, California, USA. Manhattan Beach is a hotspot for beach volleyball and . Every August, the city hosts the Manhattan Beach Open Volleyball tournament and the International Surf Festival. It is one of the three Beach Cities in the South Bay. Since the late 1990s, the area has become home to numerous professional athletes and celebrities.

About IMG Worldwide, Inc. IMG Worldwide is a global sports, entertainment and media business, with nearly 3,000 employees operating in 30 countries around the globe. IMG’s areas of expertise are diverse and wide ranging: IMG College; IMG’s Joint Ventures in China, Brazil and India and Turkey; IMG Media; IMG Events and Federations; IMG Fashion; IMG Models; IMG Art+Commerce; IMG Clients; IMG Academies; IMG Consulting and IMG Licensing. More information is available at IMG Worldwide, Inc.

About the AVP The AVP (Association of Volleyball Professionals) is a leading lifestyle sports and entertainment company that produces, markets and distributes professional beach volleyball events. Organized in 1983, it has operated the industry’s most prominent national touring series, the AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour, featuring the top American men and women competitors in the sport including athletes who have won numerous Gold, Silver and Bronze Olympic medals. Synonymous with the sport and the most recognized brand in the space, the AVP was recently acquired by new ownership that has set out to solidify its leadership position. Additional information can be found on the AVP website.

Media Contact: Crystal Yang Make Waves Communications [email protected] 310-940-2228