While backroom drama between surfers, tour directors and sponsors made for a tumultuous 2011 ASP season, beyond all the internet chatter and puffed-up posturing – or maybe despite it – the consumer facing product that casual fans see is better than ever. Fan interest has never been higher, and the numbers prove it. Yet it’s not Kelly Slater or the overflowing pool of global talent that’s most responsible for this growth. In fact, the single biggest contributor has been the steady improvement of ASP webcasts.

Today the broadcast experience is looking more and more like a television show, which is as it should be, especially with web-enabled televisions on our walls and cable outlets carrying the big contests live. But most of the broadcast improvements have come via the infrastructure side. Events are paying top dollar for producers and directors responsible for nice smooth HD feeds, smooth transitions in and out of commercial breaks, and even some nice editorial cutaway segments. These tiny, barely tangible little touches polish the product.

There is, however, one very important piece still missing: the unbiased announcer with journalistic flair and the on air chops to back them up. Fact is, being able to set the dramatic table, articulate the nuances of both the big picture and small, and ultimately keep the fan engaged during the world’s slowest moving sport (yup, that’s surfing) is no easy task. And it’s certainly not one that should just be handed to the marketing guy to save a few bucks. Fact is, surfing needs a larger than life flame throwing personality like the much loved (and hated) Howard Cosell, and it needs him now…