Picture Perfect: Sharapova To Participate In WTA Photo Shoot
By Daniel Kaplan, Staff Writer, SportsBusiness Journal
 |
Sharapova Agrees To Participate
In WTA Photo Shoot In Rome |
Global tennis icon Maria Sharapova now plans to be part of a photo and ad shoot organized by the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour that she had denounced on her Web site last Friday, a source said. The WTA is launching a three-year, $15M global campaign, by far the largest in its history, and top players have been asked to spend a few hours in Rome this weekend posing for the cameras, both still and video. The campaign will use print and TV ads. Sharapova polled fans on her Web site on how she should respond, saying she had been unfairly asked to be part of something just days before she had to play in the Rome clay court tournament. Of the 7,485 responses through Friday morning, 41% voted she should organize a player boycott of the shoot and 30% urged her to take legal action against the WTA. Only 18% chose the option she has apparently taken. The photo shoot will be on Sunday, giving her at least two days before she has to play a match. Sharapova had been threatened with a fine that could have reached $700,000. Under WTA rules, players agree to give up to 5 hours of their time for marketing the women’s tour once a year. The source said Sharapova should not have to spend more than three hours on the shoot, including travel time to and from her hotel. The WTA declined to comment, as did Sharapova’s IMG agent, Max Eisenbud.
|
Related Stories By Company
|
Related Stories By Sport
|
U.S. Open's Fashionable Participants
August 27, 2008 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Tennis Looking For Post-Games Boom In China
August 18, 2008 :
SportsBusiness Daily
MPS Group To Title Sponsor WTA Event
August 15, 2008 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Sharapova Featured In New Canon Ads
August 13, 2008 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Sawgrass Nearing Deal To Host WTA Tourney
July 24, 2008 :
SportsBusiness Daily
|
USTA Aims For Greener U.S. Open
August 28, 2008 :
SportsBusiness Daily
U.S. Open's Fashionable Participants
August 27, 2008 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Nadal Will Not Wear New Duds At U.S. Open
August 26, 2008 :
SportsBusiness Daily
Nadal To Launch New Image At U.S. Open
August 25, 2008 :
SportsBusiness Daily
ATP Chair De Villiers To Step Down
August 21, 2008 :
SportsBusiness Daily
|
|
