Former NPC promoters start new rival federation in the USA.
NPC and Pro League President, Jim Manion, has to deal with another negative situation, just days after the 2024 Olympia Weekend.
One of Manion’s biggest show promoters, Ed and Betty Pariso, have decided to cut ties with the NPC and Jim Manion, after over 30 years of service.
The power couple promoted several of NPC’s biggest events, such as the NPC Europa Games, NPC Southwest USA, NPC Texas State Championships, NPC Texas Cup, NPC Show of Champions, Orlando Pro/Am, USA Fit Games and Expo, and the NPC Phil Heath Classic.
Ed and Betty started promoting events in 1994, organizing events that have had over 50,000 competitors participate in their events in Orlando, Dallas, Houston, Austin, Waco, Phoenix, Charlotte, Hartford & Atlantic City.
The new federation, WBBF (World Beach Body Federation), was created to move away from the extreme look that has been a new trend in modern day bodybuilding and fitness.
The new federation will introduce 6 divisions, these are Beach Bikini, Fit Bikini, Athletic Bikini, Beach Physique, Fit Physique, and Athletic Physique.
Athletes will have nine classes to choose from: Pro/Am, Open, Novice, True Novice, Masters, Teen, Mixed Pairs, Hot Mom, and Hot Dad.
Seven events are already scheduled to take place in 2025, with six events already having confirmed dates and location.
With already over 34,000 followers on their official page, it seems that this new federation is already gaining a lot of momentum.
The couple also confirmed that pro cards from other federations will be accepted, they will respect their pro status.
For a pro athlete competing with the Pro League, they know this will be a difficult decision, as if they compete with another federation, such as the WBBF, they will get suspended from the Pro League, or lose their pro status.
Official Press Release
Ed and Betty Pariso published a video and press release across all their social media.
“We have decided to end our 30-year affiliation with the NPC & IFBB. We will no longer be promoting our shows with the NPC & IFBB.”
“Over 50,000 competitors have crossed our stages. We love this sport and we love what we do. For 30-plus years, our name and event productions have always been associated with honest and strong ethics. We are excited to announce that we have created the World Beach Body Federation.”
“We started the WBBF with one goal in mind, to be inclusive to the thousands of competitors that feel like what is winning is extreme in every division. We want the best to WIN, not just the biggest or hardest. The sport for us is an art form, and we want the most beautiful physiques in the world on our stages.” – Betty & Ed Pariso.
Not the first heavyweight promoters to leave the NPC
Ed and Betty Pariso are not the first power promoters to leave the NPC in the last few years.
Just a few years ago, the Washington Post, investigated the NPC, publishing several articles with various allegations against Jim Manion, and his federation.
The ramifications from these articles caused several of Jim Manion’s most loyal promoters to leave his federation, such as Brent Jones, who had several large events in Kentucky, and as well Richard Siegelman, who promoted some of the biggest shows for the NPC in Maryland.
The alleged investigations against Jim Manion and the NPC will not sit well with all promoters, and eventually more will leave.
Questions have been sent to Betty Pariso, she did answer and gave a very valid reason. But Evolutionofbodybuilding.net has agreed not to republish the discussion.
Evolutionofbodybuilding.net will continue to update this story as new developments take place.
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