"The financially strapped women's tennis tour, without a
title sponsor for two years, rejected an offer Wednesday from
Tampax to become the tour's worldwide sponsor," reports Julie
Cart in this morning's L.A. TIMES. A letter from the WTA
Executive Committee to the WTA Board of Directors said the
decision to turn down the 3-year, $10M deal "was made, in part,
because of the negative image associated with feminine hygiene
products." According to the letter, more than 75% of "tennis
insiders" polled on the deal thought it would be a "bad move" for
the WTA Tour. Bruce Garren, spokesperson for Tambrands, Tampax's
parent company, had no comment (L.A. TIMES, 2/16). WTA Tour CEO
Anne Person Worcester: "We were flattered by their interest.
But after a great deal of discussion and input from various
members of the tennis community, the decision was made to
discontinue discussions with Tampax." The tour is still
considering IMG's 4-year, $16M offer to represent them in
marketing and TV negotiations. Worcester: "We're very close to
a final decision on IMG's offer." Tampax was brought to the tour
by Advantage International. Advantage Senior VP of Marketing &
Sales Harlan Stone: "We think they missed a chance for a break-
through sponsorship that would have helped the players and the
tour over time" (Doug Smith, USA TODAY, 2/16).
