While Kelly Slater didn’t directly address rumors of starting a new tour, the surfing icon did acknowledge that his manager Terry Hardy is actively involved with the appropriate people.

Earlier this month, several reports said Hardy is in advanced discussions with ESPN to create a new world tour in 2010.

The tour, exclusive to Slater and 15 other top surfers, would payout a significantly higher purse overall. The last-place finisher on the tour, just by attending every event, would accumulate approximately $320,000 throughout the season — compared to the current $47,000 on the ASP.

“I am supportive of a lot of things changing with the way our sport is presented and covered. I’ve been pretty vocal about those,” Slater said after his heat Thursday at the U.S. Open in Huntington Beach. “I have been talking to people who are planning big things and change, so I’m not an active participant of bringing any of that stuff together other than throwing ideas together and networking people.

“You don’t have a tour without a bunch of other guys that are the best guys,” he added. “(Hardy) is actively involved with that group of people. A lot of the stuff I don’t even know about.”

Slater would not elaborate on details but expects an official announcement after the X-Games. The nine-time World Champion told ESPN earlier this year he wants surfing to “start from scratch.”

“I don’t want to trash pro surfing,” he said. “It’s the reason I have the friends and experiences I’ve had. But there are ways to make it better.”

> Get more U.S. Open coverage – slideshows, video, schedules, results and more.

> Click here for shots from Kelly’s Wednesday heat – and of his beach clearing mob.

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