By Justin Cohen @JustinCohen44
SportsBusiness Journal Report: USTA eyes higher US Open rights fees
According to an article written by Daniel Kaplan in the Sports Business Journal, The United States Tennis Association is in early talks to renew its broadcast agreement with CBS Sports for the U.S. Open and has communicated that the group expects a hefty increase from the current $20 million annually, sources said. The current deal runs through the 2014 event. The USTA also has indicated in the early talks that its goal is to have a roof on Arthur Ashe Stadium by 2017, these sources said. The event has been plagued by rain in recent years, with five consecutive men’s finals having been forced to Monday from Sunday. The expectation of a higher rights fee in the future may explain why the USTA last week announced it had agreed to player demands of paying out a significant increase in prize money. “We have begun discussions with CBS,” USTA spokesman Chris Widmaier said. “We are exploring a roof and want to have a roof, but I can’t say by 2017 we will have one.” CBS, which has broadcast the U.S. Open since 1968, declined to comment. Whether the U.S. Open can get a higher rights fee is uncertain. The group is banking on a healthy rights fee environment, the sources said, with sports like college football enjoying tremendous growth. Additionally, the proliferation of sports channels and the demand for DVR-proof programming like live sports has the USTA convinced it can do better than $20 million a year. Of course, the ratings for tennis are not healthy. The sport in the United States also is in need of some major American contenders, and while some young players have emerged, like Sloane Stephens, these players are not yet at the top of the sport. While the USTA wants to build a roof, certainly before that can happen, the event will remain vulnerable to the type of rainouts that have plagued the Open broadcasts in recent years. The USTA also is eliminating the CBS-favored Super Saturday format of two men’s semifinals and the women’s final on the same day, effective in 2015. At that point, the men’s semifinals will be on Friday, making the weekend window less appealing.
US Open Prize Money Increase to reach $50 million by 2017
The USTA announced last week that it has reached an agreement with the ATP and WTA that ensures the vitality and competitiveness of the US Open as a world class, premier event for many years to come. Presently, the USTA is in the midst of several strategic initiatives, all with a common goal of growing tennis at every level in the United States, from youth to seniors, and from those just starting out in the sport to professionals at the highest level of the game. For the US Open and the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center the goal is twofold: to transform the National Tennis Center over the next several years into the most modern and fan- and player-friendly tennis center in the world, and to continue to attract the world’s best tennis players. In line with this goal, the USTA has reached a five-year agreement with the ATP and WTA on US Open prize money. As part of this long-term vision, the USTA will provide $50 million in US Open prize money by 2017. Additionally, the USTA will increase base prize money for the 2013 US Open by an additional $4.1 million above the previously announced increase of four million dollars. The original announcement was made in December 2012. Base prize money for the 2013 US Open will now total more than $33.6 million, a more than $8.1 million increase over the $25.5 million available to players at the 2012 US Open. Also, beginning in 2015 the US Open will conclude on the second Sunday of the two-week event with the men’s singles championship. To allow for a day of rest for the finalists, the men’s singles semifinals will be played on Friday. The women’s singles championship will be played on Saturday. “The USTA has a long-term vision in place to ensure that tennis continues to thrive in the United States. This vision encompasses every level of the sport, from energizing existing fans, to attracting new players, to ensuring the US Open remains one of the world’s most prestigious sporting events,” said David Haggerty, USTA chairman, CEO and president. “With this unprecedented commitment to long-term prize money and recognition of the value that players bring to the sport, we will gain stability for the sport so that we can focus our energy on growing the game and ensuring tennis’ vitality in the U.S. for years to come.” Former World No. 1 and 17-time Grand Slam Champion Roger Federer applauded the USTA and the partnership approach.
USTA awards $75,000 in grants to 10 Community Tennis Associations
The USTA recently announced that it has awarded $75,000 in Multicultural Excellence Tennis Grants to 10 community tennis organizations across the country. These organizations will each receive a $7,500 grant towards their competitive junior development programs that train youngsters who are aspiring to achieve national and/or international rankings. The recipients were selected based on the number of players with sectional and national rankings in a specific program. Grants are awarded to organizations that operate year-round and provide a high level of on-court instruction and off-court training opportunities, with a history of developing tournament-level players. “The USTA is extremely proud to honor these programs for the tremendous work they do in developing today’s young tennis players,” said D.A. Abrams, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, USTA. “We are delighted that through these grants, many up-and-coming players will continue to receive the most outstanding on-court instruction and guidance that will prepare them for the highest level of competition and successful tennis careers overall. Not only is their work great, but their impact will truly be profound.” The 2013 Multicultural Excellence Program Grants Recipients include: Harlem Junior Tennis & Education Program (New York City), Johnny Mac Tennis Project (New York City), Kilauea Junior Tennis Club (Honolulu), Marty Hennessey Junior Tennis (Las Vegas), Northwest High Performance Tennis (Seattle), One Ace One Foundation (Upper Marlboro, Md.), Peterson School of Tennis (College Park, Ga.), South Atlanta Community Tennis Association, Inc. (Atlanta), Sportsmen’s Tennis & Enrichment Center (Dorchester, Mass.), Tier One Tennis (Miami).
Longines announces partnership with USTA National Spring Championships
According to a press release, Longines, the official timekeeper and partner of the French Open, announced today an expansion of their pioneering youth tennis initiative, Longines Future Tennis Aces – On the Road to the French Open, by partnering with the USTA Boys’ & Girls’ 12s National Spring Championships. As one of the nation’s most prestigious amateur tennis tournaments, the highest-ranked 256 players in the country will come to compete April 7-12, 2013 at the USTA Boys’ & Girls’ 12s National Spring Championships presented by Longines, hosted by the City of Delray Beach. The Spring Championships will serve as the U.S. qualifier for Longines Future Tennis Aces with the winner of the Boys 12s singles division earning a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Paris to play against qualifiers from 16 other nations. Participants must be born after June 1, 2000 to be eligible for the grand prize. Names of top-ranked athletes to compete will be announced at a later date. In addition to winning an all-expense-paid trip and the opportunity to play tennis in the center of Paris, the U.S. qualifier will compete to receive financing for his tennis equipment until his 16th birthday, courtesy of Longines. Longines looks to build upon the success of the program over the past three years. Previous Longines Future Tennis Aces U.S. qualifying tournaments took place at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, site of the U.S. Open, in Flushing Meadows, N.Y., and included selected players from the USTA’s Eastern, Middle States, New England and Northern California sections. Longines is the proud Official Partner and Timekeeper of the French Open at Roland-Garros since 2007.Longines Future Tennis Aces – On the Road to the French Open is part of Longines’ global commitment to support and develop tennis’ superstars of tomorrow. All the players who qualify for the tournament will have the opportunity to visit the red-clay courts of Roland Garros and attend a French Open match.
Virginia Hunt joins Tennis Channel
Tennis Channel recently announced the appointment of longtime broadcasting executive Virginia Hunt to executive director, programming. She will be based in the network’s headquarters in Santa Monica, Calif., and report to David Scott, vice president of programming. With more than 20 years of experience and a track record of working for some of the nation’s largest entertainment and sports networks, Hunt will be charged with the 24/7 yearly scheduling of the network, as well as provide support on all program acquisitions to help the network continue to grow in the ever-changing sports industry. “Virginia’s expertise in developing long-range strategic plans and creating workflow to achieve them will play an instrumental part in our continued programming efforts,” said Scott. “We’re thrilled to have her on board and are confident that she will immediately be a huge asset to our team.” Hunt’s multi-decade resume features a large body of work in Los Angeles at the CBS and WB affiliates, where she worked with major sports properties, such as the Lakers, Dodgers, Angels, Kings, Clippers and Galaxy. In addition to her programming skillset, Hunt has combined expertise in finance and accounting, operations, program development, broadcast standards and promotions. Hunt has two children and lives in the Los Angeles area with her husband, John.
Tickets on sale for 2013 Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London
Tickets to the 2013 Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at The O2 in London are now on sale to the public, the ATP announced on Tuesday morning. From Tuesday, fans worldwide can secure their place at the spectacular season-ending tournament featuring only the world’s top eight singles and doubles teams of the season. Tickets to the tournament, which takes place from November 4-11, can be purchased at www.BarclaysATPWorldTourFinals.com.
Tennis Hall of Fame Inductee Martina Hingis to face-off against Philadelphia Freedoms on July 16
Just three days after her induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, former World No. 1 Martina Hingis will join the Washington Kastles on July 16 in Philadelphia for a Mylan World TeamTennis Pro League match. Hingis will face-off against the Philadelphia Freedoms Sloane Stephens in a marquee player match. Tickets are now on sale for this match for as little as $25 per seat for lower level seats. You can purchase tickets by calling (866) 988-8497 or by logging on to www.freedomstix.ticketfly.com.