WSL Expecting A Big Year With Sponsorship Renewals And Broadcast Innovations
The 2019 World Surf League (WSL) season starts on the Gold Coast this week and will launch what is set to be one of the biggest years in surfing yet with equal prize money, Olympic qualification, incredible partnerships, broadcast innovations, the launch of WSL Studios and the WSL Women’s Initiative.
The WSL has secured global partnerships with Anheuser-Busch, Red Bull, and Jeep, in addition to many of the regional and event partners all over the world – some of which include Quiksilver, Roxy, Rip Curl, Billabong, Vans, Boost Mobile, Hydro Flask, MEO, Woolmark, Swatch, Barefoot, Jose Cuervo, Polo Blue, TropicSport and many others.
One of the most significant signings for this year is WSL’s new deal with Red Bull, becoming the global partner of the CT, Big Wave Tour and Big Wave Awards, as well as title partner of the Red Bull Airborne series, which will take place on the Gold Coast in Australia, Keramas in Bali, and Hossegor in France.
Celebrating 50 years of surfing in 2019, Rip Curl has announced a three-year renewal of long-time World Tour events, the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach and Rip Curl Pro Portugal.
Quiksilver will also celebrate their 50th year in 2019 and has renewed their Title Sponsorship of the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast and the Quiksilver Pro France, for the next three years (2019, 2020, 2021).
The inclusion of Harley Davison as the Official Motorcycle of the WSL, as well as Boost Mobile signing on as Title Sponsor for the opening event of the 2019 CT on the Gold Coast, showcases the confidence sponsors have in the growing sport.
“2019 is set to be a landmark year for the WSL and we are thrilled to be welcoming so many new and returning partners to the family,” WSL CEO, Sophie Goldschmidt said.
“It is a testament to the inspirational power of surfing that so many incredible companies are involved this season, which is shaping up to be the biggest year in surfing’s history.
“With increased media partnerships, the women’s initiative and WSL Studios there are lots of exciting things for the season ahead.”
Fox Sports will be the exclusive U.S. television broadcaster for WSL’s 2019 Men’s and Women’s Championship Tour (CT) and will telecast more than 500 hours of WSL programming, including live contests and highlight shows, across FOX, FS1, FS2 and the FOX Sports app in 2019.
2019 will also see expanded reach in China with four video platforms streaming a mix of live events and VOD content as well as local-language social media accounts in the country.
In addition, WSL has brought on more television broadcast partners than ever before and the WSL will be broadcast on television in over 130 countries.
WSL Studios will deliver a broad range of high quality scripted and unscripted surf and lifestyle content, starring WSL surfers, inspirational stories, behind-the-scenes, in addition to acquired content embracing surfing as a lifestyle.
WSL Studios recently launched its first original content series: All In: Life on the WSL Championship Tour.
