The WTA Tour's "expected appointment" of PGA Tour
VP/Business Affairs Ric Clarson as its new CEO "has finally
generated off-court optimism for the game's future,"
according to Andrea Leand of TENNIS WEEK. Leand adds that
"time will tell" if the integrated WTA Board structure, which
consists of four player reps, four tournament reps and two
ITF reps, "will allow him the authority to lead the game."
But with a new CEO, "pivotal matters" such as combined
events, pooled marketing rights and TV rights, can be
resolved. IMG's search for title sponsor to replace Corel is
also "in full swing." But the idea to combine more ATP and
WTA events drew the following reaction from two players. One
male pro: "We don't want to have to give up facilities and
practice courts or anything for the women. We are doing just
fine on our own. If [ATP Tour CEO] Mark Miles keeps pursuing
this, Mark Miles won't have a job." The WTA Tour's Lindsay
Davenport: "We don't need the men" (TENNIS WEEK, 12/18).
ONE VIEW: TENNIS WEEK's Eugene Scott writes that while
Clarson has little experience in tennis, "at least he has no
ties to the normal suspects of tennis power brokers. This is
a good start. Whether it makes for good follow through will
have to await the industry's reflex" (TENNIS WEEK, 12/18).