Gimelstob said that he deciding to resign because he became too much of a distraction and a liabilityGETTY IMAGES
Justin Gimelstob is "resigning from his post" on the ATP BOD immediately instead of seeking another term, after facing "mounting pressure from some leading players after an assault conviction," according to Christopher Clarey of the N.Y. TIMES. The next election is set for May 14, but Gimelstob said that he has "withdrawn his candidacy." Gimelstob: "My job is to work on the sport’s behalf and the players’ behalf, and in my situation I’ve become too much of a distraction and a liability." Gimelstob agreed on April 22 to "plead no contest to a felony battery charge." He was "sentenced to three years’ probation and 60 days of community labor." Since last week’s outcome, men’s players Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka "expressed concern about Gimelstob’s continuing on the ATP board." Wimbledon also "barred him from its royal box and from participating in its annual invitational doubles tournament for retired players." Gimelstob was on his way from L.A. to Spain to "inform Novak Djokovic in person on Tuesday of his decision to resign." Djokovic, president of the ATP Player Council, has become one of Gimelstob’s "leading allies in tennis, and they worked closely together to defeat Chris Kermode in March in Kermode’s unsuccessful attempt to extend his contract" as the ATP’s president. There are "several candidates" for Gimelstob's vacated board seat, including former players Brad Gilbert and Tim Mayotte (NYTIMES.com, 5/1).
A MUCH-NEEDED CHANGE? THINKPROGRESS.org's Lindsay Gibbs prior to Gimelstob's decision wrote he had not "received any significant punishments from the sport of tennis." He is "still employed by the Tennis Channel; his production company is still under contract with the ATP" and the USTA; and he is "still the manager" of former player Lindsay Davenport and an unpaid adviser to current player John Isner. The ATP BOD or the ATP itself "should have parted ways with Gimelstob months ago." Tennis Channel CEO Ken Solomon "should be distancing the organization from Gimelstob; instead, he still features Gimelstob in the header photo on his Twitter profile" (THINKPROGRESS.org, 5/1). The BBC's David Law said, "Gimelstob might have done a good job for the players. But are you telling me that he’s the only person who could negotiate a good deal for them? I do not believe that. Are you telling me, Tennis Channel, that he’s the only commentator who is good enough for you? I do not believe that" (TELEGRAPH.co.uk, 4/30).
