This Week's Newsmakers: Tennis Back In The Headlines After Epic
THE DAILY each Friday offers our take on the performances over the past week of people and entities in sports business. Here are this week’s newsmakers.
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Federer-Nadal Wimbledon Final Gives
Men's Tennis Much Needed Boost |
WIN: MEN’S TENNIS -- Men’s tennis gets a boost with RAFAEL NADAL’s epic five-set win over ROGER FEDERER in Sunday’s Wimbledon final. The match draws a 3.5/10 national rating on NBC, as viewers stick with the match during the nearly eight hours of the net's coverage. The duel gets front-page treatment across the country and marks the first SI cover in more than nine years for the men's side. Meanwhile, tournament organizers expect the exciting final to cause a ripple effect throughout the ATP Tour, with several events already reporting increases in ticket sales.
LOSE: NATIONALS -- With the Nationals struggling on the field, it’s no surprise they rank at the bottom of the league in TV ratings. But with only an average of 9,000 HHs tuning in each game, there is cause for concern. Some blame MASN for treating the team as the “ugly stepchild,” while others point to the club’s performance. Meanwhile, the team reportedly is witholding rent from DC and claiming their new ballpark is incomplete. One thing is clear: The Nationals have work to do to overcome growing apathy in the nation’s capital.
DRAW: NASCAR -- Chevrolet reportedly decides to cut back on its 12 track sponsorships, more evidence of the struggling economy’s impact on NASCAR. But TONY STEWART grabs headlines away from the garage, obtaining a 50% stake in Haas CNC Racing. Stewart leaves one of NASCAR’s most successful organizations in Joe Gibbs Racing, but should bring with him the star power and marketability to land sponsors at his new team, something that has been hard to come by for many other team owners.
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