An Australian media outlet by the name of Surfing Life is reporting that Kelly Slater's manager, Terry Hardy and the brass at ESPN are in "the advanced stages of planning" a new world surf tour to begin as early as 2010.  Details, such as they are known, are these:

-The proposed name is alleged to be the "Champion's Surf Tour"


-16 Surfers (including 2-4 wildcards per event) would compete in a five-month season consisting of eight events.


-Prize-money would be a minimum of 1.5 million per event, compared to $340,000 per event on the ASP this year.  Last place at a Champion's Surf Tour event would net $40,000.

The next step is a meeting scheduled for the US Open, where surfers will meet with organizers to work out kinks, ask questions, see if this is for real, etc.

As to how the ASP feels about all of this, ASP CEO Brodie Carr chimes in in predictable fashion: "At present, ASP has not received any proposals or information regarding this matter. As such, we cannot offer a view, state a position or comment. We remain open to listening to any new proposal. We are committed to working closely with our immensely-talented athletes and core industry supporters in delivering our international fan base credible Men's and Women's World Champions who surf the world's best waves."


Insurfnews.com puts it more succinctly: "ASP is shitting in its pants."



http://www.surfinglife.com.au/news/asl-news/1004-a-dreamier-dream-tour