Prince Racquet Sports Files for Chapter 11
According to an article written by John George in the Philadelphia Business Journal, New Jersey-based tennis and racquet apparel company Prince Sports Inc. and its United States affiliates filed voluntary petitions for Chapter 11 reorganization Tuesday at U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware. Prince also has filed a proposed plan of reorganization plan that would relieve the company from a secured debt burden of more that $60 million. The reorganization plan calls for swapping secured debt for new equity in the company. Officials from Prince blamed the company’s downturn on increased competition and a decline in discretionary spending by consumers over the past five years. “After considering several business options, the board of directors and the senior management team firmly believe that the Chapter 11 filing is not only a necessary step but also the right thing to do to ensure a secure future for Prince,” said Gordon Boggis, President and CEO of Prince Sports Inc. “We have a long history, and are planning for an exciting future, focused on game-changing, product innovation, engineered to take players’ games to the next level. Securing this protection will help us to continue to focus on that vision.” Prince officials said they plan to use the Chapter 11 process to develop a more competitive business model. Prince has secured a commitment of debtor-in-possession financing that it said will give its vendors and suppliers “confidence in its position to operate in Chapter 11.” In the bankruptcy filing, Prince lists assets and debts of more than $100 million. Its largest unsecured creditors, each owed more than $1.9 million in trade debt, are Da Sheng International Holding Ltd. of Taiwan and Pais International Ltd. and Marshal Industrial Corp. of Hong Kong. Boggis said Prince plans to continue to pay employee wages and benefits and service customers during the Chapter 11 process. Prince is said to have new products and is developing plans on how to best bring the innovations to the market. Prince products, which in addition to tennis are used in squash, badminton, table tennis and racquetball, are distributed in more than 100 countries.
Tennis Ball Maker Penn sues Dunlop over False Advertising claim
According to an Associated Press article, tennis ball maker Penn and Head USA Inc., filed a claim of false advertising in U.S. District Court in Connecticut on Monday. The lawsuit claims that Dunlop International Ltd. and Dunlop Sports Group Americas Inc. have been misleading the public by labeling Dunlop balls as the “World’s No. 1 Ball” and boasting that it has a 70 percent share of the global tennis ball market. Penn argues Dunlop doesn’t have the largest worldwide share and shouldn’t be allowed to use the No. 1 claim. The lawsuit says Dunlop agreed to stop using that word but hasn’t.
USTA Serves add new “Neighborhoods” to “Avenue of Aces”
On Tuesday, the USTA announced that USTA Serves, the National Charitable Foundation of the United States Tennis Association, will complement its donor-supported Avenue of Aces by adding new “neighborhoods” honoring past US Open singles champions Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova, Steffi Graf and the late wheelchair tennis pioneer Randy Snow. These legends join Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras, Ivan Lendl, John McEnroe and Billie Jean King in providing their names to the Avenue of Aces charitable initiative, which allows the general public to order their own personalized pavers. The Avenue of Aces provides an opportunity for supporters of USTA Serves to create a lasting legacy by ordering personalized pavers on the grounds of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center—the home of the US Open. Since its inception in 2005, the Avenue of Aces initiative has raised more than $1.5 million to support programs that benefit people with disabilities and children in underserved communities with opportunities to play tennis, fight obesity, improve academics, and apply for college scholarships. “USTA Serves is honored to have the support of these great champions to help make a difference in the lives of America’s youth,” said Mary Carillo, President, USTA Serves. “Through the Avenue of Aces Neighborhood initiative, USTA Serves will be able to expand tennis and educational opportunities in underserved communities across the nation.” USTA Serves has granted more than $10 million to fund 226 programs in 43 states, including $600,000 to adaptive tennis programs for people with special needs. In addition, USTA Serves has awarded more than $14 million in grants and scholarships to people and programs throughout the United States in order to provide the underserved youth with greater opportunities to realize much success.
Agassi to face McEnroe in World TeamTennis match to benefit Johnny Mac Tennis Project
Tennis Hall of Famers Andre Agassi and John McEnroe will square off in a World TeamTennis match on July 19 between the New York Sportimes and Boston Lobsters, with proceeds going towards the Johnny Mac Tennis Project, which provides scholarships, coaching, transportation and other financial assistance to qualified young tennis players in the Greater New York metropolitan area. The event starts at 7 p.m. EST and also includes a playing appearance by WTA Tour legend Martina Hingis. Tickets for the benefit cost $250, $150 and $60 and can be purchased through www.nysportimes.com or by calling (888) WTT-NYC1. “This year’s Johnny Mac Tennis Project Night will highlight three of the most popular and exciting players ever to play the sport,” said Claude Okin, CEO of Sportime Clubs and NY Sportimes. “Andre Agassi has become a notable humanitarian and ambassador for tennis as a life changing opportunity. We are thrilled that he will be part of this great night to benefit our efforts to improve the lives of young people and young players here in New York City.” Agassi, who will make just his fifth appearance in a WTT match, played McEnroe four times while on the ATP World tour. Both players won two matches, with Agassi winning their final meeting in the semifinals at Wimbledon in 1992. “Youth tennis and education have always been extremely important to me,” said Agassi. “I am proud to support John’s program and look forward to competing against him in an exciting match on July 19.” The Johnny Mac Tennis Project, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation whose purpose is to expose young athletes in the greater New York metropolitan area to high level, competitive tennis by raising public and private funds in order to provide scholarships to attend a non-residential tennis academy/training facility, to obtain lessons and to fund the costs and expenses associated with travel to regional, national and international tournaments and on-site coaching at such tournaments.
USTA National Wheelchair Tennis Head Coach Named ITF Wheelchair Coach of the Year
Dan James, U.S. Wheelchair Tennis Coach and USTA Manager of Wheelchair Tennis, has been named the 2011 Wheelchair Tennis Coach of the Year by the International Tennis Federation (ITF). James will receive his Coach of the Year Award trophy during the 2012 BNP Paribas World Team Cup in Seoul., Korea. James also won the ITF Coach of the Year Award in 2007, where he served as the head coach of the Parapan American Games. “I am truly honored to be recognized with this award once again by the ITF,” said James. “Without the USTA staff, coaches, and especially our exceptional players, this would not be possible.” A member of the USTA as the National Manager of Wheelchair Tennis since 2003, James had a successful year in 2011 starting by leading the U.S. to five medals (three gold, one silver and one bronze) at the Parapan American Games in Mexico. He also managed to land US Open Wheelchair champion David Wagner a spot to train at the U.S. Olympic Committee training center in Chula Vista, Calif. This is the first ever for wheelchair tennis. This summer, James will serve as head coach for the 2012 London Paralympic Games. He previously was the men’s head coach at the Sydney Paralympic Games (2000), as well as head coach in Athens (2004) and Beijing (2008).
USTA SmashZone Mobile Tour visits Girl Scouts 100th Anniversary Celebration
According to a press release, the USTA announced last Wednesday that its SmashZone Mobile Tour will make an appearance at the Girl Scouts 100th Anniversary Celebration at Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, Calif., on May 5. SmashZone Mobile Tour, the premiere fan interactive attraction introduces children to tennis in a fun and interactive way. The tennis event will feature a special appearance by the stars of Nickelodeon’s new hit live-action series How to Rock, Cymphonique Miller and Max Schneider. Miller and Schneider will participate in on-court tennis activities and sign autographs. SmashZone Mobile includes a 53-foot trailer, which anchors four kid-sized tennis courts for youth play. Courts which will feature games such as Rally Courts and a Target Challenge. The trailer itself, which is handicap accessible, will feature interactive activities for visitors that will include a Tennis Magazine Green Screen Cover Shoot, Wii Tennis and Touch Screen Kiosks. SmashZone Mobile is a complement to the USTA’s ongoing youth participation initiative, 10 and Under Tennis. “We are thrilled to have the SmashZone Mobile Tour provide an opportunity for thousands of children to experience tennis for the first time,” said Kurt Kamperman, USTA Chief Executive, Community Tennis. “The tour will introduce our 10 and Under Tennis program which is a wonderful approach to help ensure that children build confidence in their skills while having fun and leading a healthy lifestyle.” 10 and Under Tennis is part of an effort to encourage young people across the country to get moving and start playing tennis. The 10 and Under Tennis initiative is geared towards getting more kids to participate in tennis using modified equipment and courts tailored to a child’s size. By featuring shorter and lighter racquets, slower-bouncing balls, smaller courts and simplified scoring, children learn to play more quickly and easily while having more fun in the process. To find more information about the SmashZone mobile tour and to find if it is coming to a city near your check out www.10andundertennis.com.
Querrey commits to Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships in Newport
Former world No. 17 Sam Querrey has committed to the Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships, which will be played from July 9-15 on the historic grass courts at the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, R.I. A singles champion last weekend at the Sarasota Open Challenger in Florida, Querrey will be making his fourth appearance in Newport. The American was a singles finalist in 2009. Querrey, a six-time singles champion on the ATP World Tour, joins an already strong player field including John Isner, Lleyton Hewitt, Milos Raonic and the Bryan Brothers. In 2012, Querrey has compiled a 6-8 singles record and 11-4 record in doubles. He is currently ranked No. 80 in singles and No. 24 in doubles.
Teddy Tennis Sticker Book for Kids launched on iPhone/iPad/iPodTouch App
According to a press release, Teddy Tennis, a children’s sport and lifestyle company, announced on Monday the release of The Teddy Tennis Sticker Book, a fun creative App for iPhone/iPad/iPodTouch that will help introduce tennis to children ages 2-6 and provide them with hours of fun. “The Teddy Tennis Sticker Book is aimed at providing young children with an exciting multimedia experience for learning and playing tennis,” said Richard Bean, Co-Founder of Teddy Tennis. “All the images and music that we have included in the App we also use when teaching Teddy Tennis. It works brilliantly on the tennis court and it will do the same when children are playing on their iPad/IPhones.” There are two modes of play with the “The Teddy Tennis Sticker Book”, each mode offering different elements of fun and creativity. Stickers: The Sticker Game is based around the characters, images and music that are used in Teddy Tennis. It involves activity with a multiple selection of backgrounds and stickers. Stamps: The Stamp Game combines sound effects, stamp images of Teddy Tennis characters and the opportunity to create freehand images and drawings. The App is free to download and play, and The Teddy Tennis Sticker Book is free and available to worldwide exclusively through the App Store in the Games category.
Gigi Fernandez earns USPTA Professional 1 certification
Gigi Fernandez, the recently named Director of Tennis at Chelsea Piers Connecticut and 17-time Grand Slam doubles champion, recently became a certified Professional 1 member of the United States Professional Tennis Association. USPTA is the world’s oldest and largest association of tennis-teaching professionals. “We’re extremely proud to have Gigi join the ranks of many of the famous players as members of USPTA,” said Tim Heckler, CEO of USPTA. “We’re honored to now call her a professional tennis coach.” To become USPTA certified, candidates must pass the on-court and written portions of the certification exam. Professional 1 represents the highest tested level in USPTA certification.