INDIAN WELLS, California—The title of chairman and CEO of the largest international sport for women may sound illustrious, but it might not be the most coveted position in the world. Leading an association fraught with internal strife and external economic woes is not an easy task, but that is the burden of responsibility felt by Larry Scott of the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour.
Scott took part in a media roundtable discussion on Tuesday at Indian Wells and talked about the economy, the ongoing Williams sisters saga and the state of the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour.
The Economic Recession
Most of the free world is being impacted by the economic recession, and the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour is no different. “We are taking the issue very seriously,” Scott said today. The tournaments, sponsors, and even the players have felt the repercussions of a crumbling economy.
Fortunately, for the WTA, it has thus far managed to weather the brunt of the financial storm, and according to Scott, it is at its healthiest financial state.
“We have been very fortunate, and I think we are relatively doing better than a lot of other sports in terms of how the events are doing and how the Tour is doing.”
No Williams Sisters at Indian Wells=No Bonus Money
Venus and Serena Williams made their choice to skip Indian Wells again, much to Scott’s disappointment, and they will have to pay for their decision. “We still have an issue with Venus and Serena. I think they understand what the Tour is trying to do, but they still have strong feelings, and they are going to pay significant consequences for not being here,” Scott said.
The Sony Ericsson WTA Tour has penalized both sisters their stake in the year-end bonus prize money, which potentially could have awarded Serena $300,000 and Venus $150,000.
Promotional Appearances Ahead for Venus and Serena The Tour has secured Venus and Serena Williams' participation in two events during the upcoming months to help promote the game of tennis in California. Venus has committed to take part in marketing efforts for the ESPY awards in Los Angeles in July, while Serena is schedule to promote the season-ending Championships in October.
Ironically, neither of these promotions will directly benefit the BNP Paribas Open, but the tournament will receive $250,000 from the Tour in compensation for the absences of Serena, Venus and Maria Sharapova.
The Dubai Visa Issue
The Sony Ericsson WTA Tour board will hear the Dubai tournament’s appeal at their upcoming meeting, but Scott is firm on his stance that the tournament must heed the rules of eligibility. Scott confirmed that if Dubai does not allow players to enter next year, there will be more than a fine leveled. “They won’t be on the Tour,” Scott said.
Sharapova’s Situation
Like Venus and Serena, Sharapova will lose bonus prize money at the end of the season because she skipped the mandatory event at Indian Wells. However, Scott said that Sharapova will be eligible to petition the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour for a protected injury ranking once she returns. Since getting injured last fall, Sharapova’s ranking has fallen to No. 23.
Players Headed Back to School
The Sony Ericsson WTA Tour will hold a player’s meeting on Tuesday at the Sony Ericsson Open. Among other things, Scott wants to help educate his players about the economic crisis and how it will affect them.
“I don’t assume the players have a full grasp of what is happening in the world economy at large or the effects on our business,” Scott said. “I’ve got a big educational job to do with the players about the economy and the potential effects on our events.”
On the Baseline’s live coverage of the 2009 BNP Paribas Open is brought to you by Grand Slam Tennis Tours.
which is the most correct noun to describe Sony Erricson WTA Tour: business, sport, entertainment? the answer reflects the role they portray or folks think they shoud portray. Mr. Scott needs wisdom to direct the tour to benefit the sport and the players.
Judging from what I heard today, the Tour is attempting to do all three in one package. Often, that is possible. But it is inevitable that something will occasionally cause a major conflict of interest.
I had also read that the Williams’ will receive zero points in the tourneys that count towards their rankings. How exactly does that work? I still am bothered by the advertising or promotion of glamour as part of the game which is what I read in another person’s report of the meeting. They should be put forth first as athletes. Glamor, good looks, Sports Ill swimsuit should not be a part of it. It is like they are worried about the perception of the women’s (not girls) feminitiy.
I’m glad Venus & Serena does not play Indian Wells. Now that women’s tennis needs them, they want them to play but WTA didn’t and does not respect them. I knew when Mr Williams hand went up that something racial was said, but as usual, tennis chose to protect their image instead of speaking out against racism. Not acknowledging racism doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. Indian Wells should publicly apologize to Venus & Serena and to me because I saw how they were treated and I was offended. Serena & Venus are the #1 & #2 American female players, but it is often pointed out that they are African Americans. They are Americans.