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“Elevate the Sport”: Oprah Winfrey’s Former Right-Hand and WSL CEO Has Some Exciting News for Surfing Community

Published 03/11/2023, 11:48 AM EST

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For a long time, there has been a constant effort to expand the horizons of surfing as a global sport. Erik Logan, the CEO of the World Surf League, has made some big announcements that can prove to be a deciding factor in achieving the company’s goal. Logan is planning to take surfing beyond the boundaries of sports to entertainment categories. After the success of the first season of the popular surfing series like ‘Make Or Break’ and ‘Winner Takes All’, the organization is planning to induct more new seasons as well. 

Logan has been a close associate of Oprah Winfrey, thus he knows how to get things done. The recent viewership data also justifies his actions. 

Why Surfing shows are getting success?

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Logan’s goal with such shows is to make surfing more accessible and engaging for a wider audience, particularly younger viewers who may not be familiar with the sport. By using the soap opera format, he hopes to create a compelling narrative that will keep viewers coming back for more.

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Soap opera shows, such as “Make Or Break,” have had a significant impact on surfing by bringing the sport to a wider audience and increasing its popularity. These shows use a storytelling format that includes dramatic storylines, personal relationships, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of the world of surfing. This creates a more engaging narrative that appeals to a broader audience. Logan believes that the unfiltered emotions of the surfer would take them a step closer to their fans. “In these emotional moments for them to trust that they will be propelled in a way that they will elevate the sport and elevate everyone”, he told The Sydney Morning Herald. 

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The increased exposure to surfing through soap opera shows has also helped to attract more sponsorship and media attention to the sport. According to The Sydney Morning Herald, the viewership of WSL saw a 35 percent rise in consumption of the content as compared to previous years.

The Impact of Soap Operas on the sport

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Additionally, the increased popularity of surfing has led to the creation of more surfing-related media projects, including documentaries, feature films, and television shows, further increasing the visibility of the sport. The last month witnessed the release of the 2nd season of ‘Make or Break’ series for Apple TV viewers.

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However, the increased attention on surfing has also brought challenges, such as overcommercialization and crowding in popular surf spots. As with any sports industry, it is essential to balance the benefits of increased exposure with the need to preserve the integrity of the sporting personalities. But with Logan being involved as the executive producer, things seem to be in cruise control. 

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Written by:

Shivam Sharma

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Shivam Sharma is a US Sports author for EssentiallySports. With a Bachelor's degree in Journalism, he has previously worked as a writer and an anchor for Navbharat Today, penning down and explaining issues around sports, politics, and international relations. He is an admirer of Virat Kohli for the passion that he brings to the field.
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Edited by:

Debmallya Chakraborty