Many issues need to be addressed, beginning with
the competitive and somewhat hostile relationship
between the AVP and BVA. The BVA tour made its debut last
year as a women's circuit--Armato's girlfriend,
two-time Olympian Holly McPeak, is among the world's best
players--and planned to add a men's division this year,
competing directly with the men-only AVP and adding
tension. <br> The on-court rules are also markedly
different. Unlike the AVP, BVA employs international rules,
using a smaller court, a heavier ball and rally-scored
games. The BVA tour calls itself a training ground for
Olympic hopefuls, while the AVP champions itself as an
original of sorts, playing in front of laid-back, tanned
crowds for little more than prize money and bragging
rights. <br> Players are confused about the meaning of
the merger. <br> "It's definitely a little
helter-skelter," said Dain Blanton, who won the gold medal with
Eric Fonoimoana at the Sydney Olympics. "I would think
[Armato] is going to stick with the international rules,
simplify it and stay with one game. It could be the
greatest thing, but it's a guessing game right now. I
guess they can't say much yet because the deal's not
done." <br> Armato must also find a way to renew
interest in the sport itself, which has waned after a
series of highly criticized moves by the AVP, including
past attempts to charge exorbitant amounts for tickets
and several disputes with players in recent years
over Olympic qualifying. <br> The AVP awarded nearly
$4 million annually in the free-wheeling days of the
mid-1990s, but debt rose to nearly $3 million. Players were
getting stiffed on their payouts. Corporate sponsors
bailed, a bad sign for a sport that generates most of its
revenue from sponsors and advertisers. Admission is free
at most AVP events. <br> Neither the AVP nor BVA has
a television deal with a major network. NBC ended
an eight-year deal with the AVP after the 1997
season, citing decreased viewership. <br> Change, on the
whole, is welcomed. <br> "I'm optimistic," Blanton said.
"I think [Armato] will be able to do some positive
things if he takes over. He has the connections and he's
been involved with the sport before. Maybe five months
from now, we're involved with the best thing we've had
in five years."