BNP Paribas Open Unlikely To Be Affected By Larry Ellison's Oracle Resignation

Former BNP Paribas Open Owner Charlie Pasarell "doesn't anticipate" that tournament Owner Larry Ellison's resignation as Oracle CEO will "have any impact" on the tennis event, according to a front-page piece by Leighton Ginn of the Palm Springs DESERT SUN. Pasarell: "It will have zero effect. He loves that tennis tournament. He loves what's happening there, he loves tennis. I would think he would continue with the same amount of energy and support he's provided to make that tournament the best in the world." Since buying the event and the 55-acre Indian Wells Tennis Garden in '09, Ellison "has set the tone for change in a sport steeped in tradition, whether it was providing instant replay on all courts, raising prize money against the wishes of the men's tennis tour, or just going through a renovation" estimated at $77M to build a second stadium and improve infrastructure. Ellison since '10 "has changed the face of the tournament to raise its profile in the tennis world" (Palm Springs DESERT SUN, 9/19).