The Association of Surfing Professionals has taken another major step in its commercial revamp of the sport by announcing Korean electronics manufacturer Samsung as title sponsor of the ASP World Championship Tour.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Samsung is set to use the association to promote its Galaxy smartphone brand.
Following a transitional year in 2013 where the organisation built up its departments and programs, the 2014 season will see all of professional surfing’s initiatives from production to athlete servicing to media, marketing, sponsorship and broadcast, fall under the purview of the ASP for the first time in the sport’s 38-year history.
“From the beginning, our goal has been to elevate the platform of this tremendous sport through top-of-class media and sponsor partnerships,” Paul Speaker, ASP chief executive, said. “Samsung is a global leader in technology, opening new possibilities for people everywhere – an ideal partner for professional surfing. Samsung will help us deliver a world-class experience for our athletes and fans.”
Samsung’s association with the ASP World Championship Tour will commence with the season-opening men’s and women’s events in Gold Coast, Australia on March 1-12.