Chase Budinger, former NBA player, has transitioned to beach volleyball and is experiencing a significant shift in team dynamics. In contrast to his previous life where he shared a locker room filled with supportive teammates, he has mainly been playing as part of a duo. However, this season on the AVP tour introduces a new format that adds a team aspect to the sport, complete with a designated home city and a nickname, enhancing the feel of traditional team sports.
“I’ve missed that team atmosphere and bonding from my basketball days,” Budinger expressed in a recent interview. As he moves from the Paris Olympics to the revamped AVP league, he feels a renewed sense of camaraderie. “It’s refreshing to cheer for your teammates and truly have each other’s backs,” he noted. Budinger, who spent seven years in the NBA before competing in beach volleyball at the Olympics, finds the new team format a unique departure from the conventional style of the sport.
Despite being recognized as the top beach volleyball tour in the United States, the AVP has faced challenges in maintaining a foothold in the sport and sustaining interest during the years without the Olympic spotlight. The new structure aims to address various issues such as improving match durations for television audiences and creating more consistent pairings to leverage the popularity of star players.
The league’s innovative format pairs male and female teams together, assigning each team a city to cultivate local support. Instead of competing solely for tournament titles, teams strive to improve their standings for an end-of-season championship scheduled for November 9-10 in Los Angeles. “This is a complete overhaul of decades-old traditions,” said Brandie Wilkerson, a silver medalist at the Paris Olympics, who now plays for the AVP’s Palm Beach Passion alongside 2008 gold medalist Phil Dalhausser. “We get to know our teammates better and genuinely support each other,” she added.
Additional teams include the San Diego Smash, New York Nitro, Dallas Dream, Austin Aces, Miami Mayhem, LA Launch, and Brooklyn Blaze. The league has already held matches in various venues, moving from the UCLA Tennis Center in Los Angeles to the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
“It’s great to play in cities like other professional sports and attract large crowds — what’s not to appreciate?” commented Olympic champion Alix Klineman, who plays for the Miami Mayhem. She recognized that building a fan base takes time, just like any successful sports organization. “As the players improve and fans relate to the team, popularity should naturally follow. Hopefully, this new format has the endurance everyone desires,” Klineman noted.
This weekend, the competition will move to the Honda Center, home to the NHL’s Anaheim Ducks. While traditional beach volleyball often takes place at the beach or requires special sand setups, established stadiums offer more amenities than typical beach venues. “It definitely feels like a professional setup,” said April Ross, a three-time Olympic medalist who won gold in 2021 alongside Klineman. “Air-conditioned locker rooms and player lounges enhance the experience.”
On the court, the matches have been adapted to feature sets up to 15 points, making for quicker and more compelling gameplay that keeps spectators engaged. This adjustment also fits better within television broadcasts. “It’s a high-paced game, and every point is crucial,” Ross explained, emphasizing the strategic element of the shorter format that leaves little room for error.
This year’s season is structured in the fall to capitalize on the excitement following the Olympics, while plans are in place to return to summer tournaments in 2025. Notable teams include American pairings from the Olympics, Budinger and Miles Evans, alongside Andy Benesh and Miles Partain, along with celebrated Olympians such as Dalhausser and Brazilian Alison. An AVP representative mentioned that attendance has been on the rise for the first six events of the season, indicating growing interest in beach volleyball, especially in Southern California as the area prepares for the 2028 Olympics.
“The pressure is on Los Angeles to deliver an experience that outshines Paris,” Klineman stated. “There’s much potential in our city, but we need to elevate our game to match what Paris has accomplished.”
