Newsweek inked a three-year deal with ISL Worldwide to
become a global presenting partner of the ATP Tour's Tennis
Masters Series. Newsweek, formerly a sponsor of the Series'
Indian Wells (CA) event, will receive Master Series signage,
tickets, hospitality and other benefits. The publication
will also run a special advertising section in conjunction
with ISL and the ATP Tour. Newsweek COO Harold Shain called
the partnership a "perfect fit in our bid to build a global
platform" for the publication (ISL). The SPORTSBUSINESS
JOURNAL's Daniel Kaplan reports that ISL has sold "only a
handful of sponsorships" for the Tennis Masters Series since
taking over sales responsibilities last year, as Mercedes
and Newsweek are the "only two global sponsors aboard out of
a hoped-for eight or nine." Additionally, "none of the TV
deals" in the U.S. have "involved rights fees." Some
observers say that ISL "could lose more than" $60M this year
on the project. ISL execs "acknowledged it will lose money
in the early years" (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 3/13 issue).
