The USTA and the local ownership group of Memphis's Racquet Club have bought the U.S. National Indoor Tennis Championships from San Jose-based Sharks Sports & Entertainment and "will keep the city's long-running professional tournament in Memphis," according to Phil Stukenborg of the Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL. The deal was approved by the ATP this summer. USTA Chief Professional Officer David Brewer, who also is the U.S. Open Tournament Dir, said that the sale "was completed two weeks ago." Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The USTA will be the majority owner of the Memphis event, which is held in February. The organization also is the majority owner "of two other U.S. events: the BB&T Open in Atlanta and the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati" -- both part of the Emirates U.S. Open Series. Brewer would not give out the USTA's "percent stake in the tournament." He said that the USTA "became interested in exploring ownership of the U.S. Indoor 'to help, in some way, keep this tournament in the United States and, more importantly, keep it in the market it's been all these years.'" Stukenborg noted Memphis is "one of 11 U.S. tournaments ... on the men's worldwide circuit of 64 events." Brewer said that the "search for a tournament director is underway, and could be announced by the end of the month." A title sponsor is also being sought (Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL, 8/10).
