The first-ever Street League Skateboarding Monster Energy Pro Open kicks off this weekend, May 17-18th at Nike SB’s private Sixth & Mill Skatepark in Downtown Los Angeles.
Watch as legendary pro, Geoff Rowley, delivers the breakdown on how the Pro Open contest is going down.
Twenty select skaters have a shot at just three new spots onto the SLS Nike SB World Tour, joining SLS Pros for the 2014 season.
Day one will narrow the elite field from 20 to eight; on day two, it turns up as those eight qualifiers go against the world’s most prestigious competitive street skaters: current SLS pros. SLS vets and newcomers alike will battle it out for $75,000 in prize money and a coveted ‘golden ticket’ to the $200,000 SLS Nike SB Super Crown World Championship in August.
Tune into streetleague.com this weekend to view the official webcast of the 2014 Street League Skateboarding Monster Energy Pro Open.
SAT, MAY 17TH — Start time 6PM ET
SUN, MAY 18TH — Start time 5PM ET
OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
2014 STREET LEAGUE SKATEBOARDING
MONSTER ENERGY PRO OPEN: LIVE WEBCAST THIS WEEKEND
First-ever SLS Monster Energy Pro Open event webcast live May 17 and 18
20 top non-SLS pros competing for just three slots on the Street League Skateboarding Nike SB World Tour
Day 1 qualifiers compete against the SLS Pros on Day 2 of the contest on May 18th
Event winner receives a Golden Ticket to the SLS Nike SB Super Crown World Championship
SLS Monster Energy Pro Open Kick-Off Special to air on FOX Sports 1 on Thursday, May 29 at 9:00pm ET
LOS ANGELES, CA (May 13, 2014) — The SLS Monster Energy Pro Open will jumpstart the 2014 Street League season the weekend of May 17-18 at Nike SB’s private, state-of-the-art Sixth & Mill Skatepark in Downtown Los Angeles. The purpose of the Pro Open is straightforward: offer an additional 20 skaters the chance at just three new spots onto the SLS Nike SB World Tour, joining the current SLS Pros for the 2014 season.
“As a supporter of Street League from day one, Monster Energy recognizes the importance bringing street skateboarding to the masses, while keeping it core,” said Cody Dresser, Director of Action Sports, Monster Energy. “The new SLS Monster Energy Pro Open event is all about inclusion – offering new blood the chance to skate in the SLS Nike SB World Tour.”
Day one will whittle the elite field from 20 to eight; on day two, the heat is on as those eight qualifiers go against the world’s most prestigious competitive street skaters: current SLS pros, including Monster Energy athletes like Chris Cole, Nyjah Huston, Ishod Wair, and Shane O’Neill. SLS vets and new faces alike will battle for $75,000 in prize money and a coveted ‘golden ticket’ to the $200,000 SLS Nike SB Super Crown World Championship in August.
“The SLS Monster Pro Open is a great idea,” said Chris Cole, 2013 SLS Nike SB Super Crown World Champion. “There are so many people in the skate world that we admire and who deserve a shot. We can’t put everyone in, but we can invite a good number to compete for a few spots, which guarantees the constant progression of our league.”
“I’m stoked to be a part of the Street League Monster Energy Pro Open, skating alongside the best skaters in the world,” added Monster Energy’s Curren Caples.
The Monster Energy Pro Open will be webcast live May 17-18 on www.streetleague.com, www.foxsports.com, and the FOX Sports GO app. The edited coverage will also be televised on FOX Sports 1 as the SLS Pro Open Kick-Off Special on Thursday, May 29 at 9:00 PM ET.
The Pro Open will be a testing ground for SLS’ updated contest format. Prelim Heats will feature two Flow Section runs and five Control Section trick attempts anywhere on the course, for seven potential scores. In Prelims, the top four of these seven scores count. Whether a skater is known for putting it all on the line or stringing together a stylish line, this format change will allow each skater to emphasize their strengths by balancing trick difficulty, style, and consistency.
In the Final, more format changes aim to diversify the type of skating that determines the eventual winner. Where the Impact Section was formerly the most decisive part of the contest, with four scores counting, now only one of four Impact Section attempts will count. The Control Section becomes the all-important finishing section, and will allow six attempts anywhere on the course, with the top four scores counting.
How will these contest format changes affect the final outcome? Will the new format really level the field so often dominated by the likes of Nyjah Huston and Paul Rodriguez? Tune in to the SLS Monster Energy Pro Open to find out.
For a official rider list and video announcement, please go to: http://streetleague.com/archives/pro-open-the-future/
SLS NIKE SB SUPER CROWN CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFICATION POINTS
As in previous seasons, winning any event guarantees a ‘golden ticket’ entry into the SLS Nike SB Super Crown Championship. Pros who don’t win an event will need to qualify through points. Points from each pro’s two highest event results will count — offering current SLS Pros an added incentive to go hard at the Pro Open on May 18th.
Following its inaugural season with presenting partner Nike SB, Street League continues to elevate competitive skateboarding and grow its audience. A new partnership with FOX Sports 1 expands Street League’s live television coverage in the United States.
SLS EVENT DATES AND VENUES:
May 17–18: SLS Monster Energy Pro Open | Nike SB 6th & Mill Skatepark | Los Angeles
June 29: SLS Nike SB World Tour: Stop 1 | UIC Pavilion | Chicago
July 27: SLS Nike SB World Tour: Stop 2 |Galen Center | Los Angeles
August 24: SLS Super Crown World Championship | Prudential Center | Newark
The SLS Nike SB World Tour airs on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Sports GO, in addition to the official live webcast on www.streetleague.com.
FOX SPORTS 1 TELECAST SCHEDULE:
FOX SLS Pro Open Kick-Off Special: Thursday, May 29 (9:00 PM ET – 10:00PM ET)
SLS Chicago: LIVE: Sunday, June 29 (7:00 PM ET – 8:30 PM ET)
SLS Los Angeles: LIVE: Sunday, July 27 (8:00 PM ET – 9:30 PM ET)
SLS Super Crown World Championship: LIVE: Sunday, Aug. 24 (9:00 PM ET – 10:30 PM ET)
For more visit information visit www.streetleague.com. For all media inquiries contact Sarah Bronilla at VOCAL: sarah@vocalnyc.com or John Stouffer at FOX Sports: john.stouffer@FOX.com
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About Street League Skateboarding
Street League Skateboarding (SLS) is the first-ever professional league for street skateboarding. The SLS season features 25 of the world’s most exciting skateboarders competing in an easy-to-follow, ISX instant scoring format on one-of-a-kind concrete skate plazas, all for the largest prize purse in skateboarding history. Each arena stop of the 2014 SLS season will air live on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Sport Go with a live international webcast on Streetleague.com.
For more information, visit www.streetleague.com and follow @streetleague
About Monster Beverage Corporation:
Based in Corona, California, Monster Beverage Corporation is the leading marketer and distributor of energy drinks and alternative beverages. Refusing to acknowledge the traditional, Monster Beverage Corporation supports the scene and sport. Whether motocross, off-road, NASCAR, BMX, surf, snowboard, ski, skateboard, or the rock and roll lifestyle, Monster is a brand that believes in authenticity and the core of what its sports, athletes and musicians represent. More than a drink, it’s the way of life lived by athletes, sports, bands, believers and fans. See more about Monster Beverage Corporation, including all of its drinks, at www.monsterenergy.com.
About Nike SB
Nike SB is dedicated to serving skateboarders, delivering product innovation and creating new consumer experiences. Since 2001, Nike SB has supported a diverse team of inspirational pros and upcoming amateurs who continue to meet the demands of a constantly evolving sport. With influence in all corners of the world, Nike SB is uniquely suited to bring skateboarding to new audiences and grows the sport globally. Based at Nike headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon, Nike SB is obsessed with finding new ways to support the skateboarder by championing innovation and individuality.
For more information, visit www.nikeinc.com and follow @NikeSB.
About FOX Sports
FOX Sports is the umbrella entity representing 21st Century FOX’s wide array of multi-platform US-based sports assets. Built with brands capable of reaching more than 100 million viewers in a single weekend, FOX Sports includes ownership and interests in linear television networks, digital and mobile programming, broadband platforms, multiple web sites, joint-venture businesses and several licensing partnerships. FOX Sports includes the sports television arm of the FOX Broadcasting Company; FOX Sports 1; FOX Sports 2; FOX’s 22 regional sports networks, their affiliated regional web sites and FSN national programming; FOX Soccer Plus and FOX Soccer 2Go; FOX Deportes and FOX College Sports. In addition, FOX Sports also encompasses FOX Sports Digital, which includes FOXSports.com on MSN, FOX Sports GO, Whatifsports.com and Yardbarker.com. Also included in the Group are FOX’s interests in joint-venture businesses Big Ten Network, BTN 2Go and STATS, LLC, as well as licensing agreements that establish the FOX Sports Radio Network.