Is Mercedes-Benz’s $500m WTA Tour partnership value for money? Sport Business With the deal between Mercedes-Benz and the WTA Tour well underway, Matt Hardy heads to Madrid to see if its value for money. The supermarket meal deal, the cost of an upgrade to business class, the Category A versus Category B match ticket; value for money is one of capitalism’s greatest dilemmas. It is a [...]
Roland Garros targeted by WTA and ATP tennis players as pay row reignited Sport Business The row between the world’s top tennis players and the four grand slams continues to rage on after WTA and ATP stars hit out at Roland Garros over prize money. This year’s French Open increased prize money across the board ahead of the 125th edition of the Parisian tournament – up nearly 10 per cent [...]
WTA tennis chief Portia Archer leaves after less than two years Sport Business The chief of the WTA women’s pro tennis tour Portia Archer has left her position after less than two years in post. A memo sent by the organisation’s chair Valerie Camillo said Archer’s decision to step down as chief came ahead of a contract renewal. “Portia has made important contributions to our tournaments, our players, [...]
Djokovic co-founded player group seeks $1bn backing for new tennis tour January 22, 2026 The lobby group co-founded by Novak Djokovic, the Professional Tennis Players Association, is seeking up to $1bn in investment to back its proposed shake-up of the professional circuit. According to multiple reports, the PTPA has contacted more than 20 banks and financial advisory firms to drum up support for its vision, which includes a new [...]
Why Battle of the Sexes tennis match fell short of One Point Slam January 16, 2026 Tennis recently revived the “Battle of the Sexes” concept as a way to generate attention, attract headlines and spark debate. In doing so, however, the sport risks overlooking a simple truth: women’s tennis no longer needs comparison to prove its value. Women’s tennis is a strong product in its own right, with four of the [...]
SA20 future in doubt as Big Bash sale process squeezes cricket investment January 7, 2026 The SA20 franchise tournament is facing an uncertain financial future amid the threat of fresh competition for funding from Cricket Australia’s Big Bash, which is preparing to sell off stakes in its franchises to private investors later this year. All six SA20 franchises are owned by Indian Premier League teams, many of whom have expressed [...]
Battle of the Sexes tennis: Billie Jean King says it’s just entertainment December 27, 2025 Billie Jean King has distanced herself from this year’s Battle of the Sexes tennis showdown, insisting hers was about “social change”, while the 2025 edition is “entertainment”. World number one Aryna Sabalenka will take on Australian Nick Kyrgios in a Battle of the Sexes match in Dubai on 30 December. King famously beat self-proclaimed chauvinist [...]
WTA and Mercedes-Benz pen decade-long deal said to be worth $500m December 10, 2025 The WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) has penned a decade-long partnership agreement with Mercedes-Benz believed to be worth as much as $500m (£376m). The deal, announced at the Mercedes factory in Stuttgart with WTA co-founder Billie Jean King and 20-time grand slam winner Roger Federer in attendance, will see the automotive behemoth become a “premier partner” [...]
Tennis stars on collision course with Grand Slams over reforms September 24, 2025 Leading tennis players including Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka are understood to be unhappy with the Grand Slams about a lack of progress over welfare, prize money and consultation reforms. The top 10 players from the men’s ATP and women’s WTA tours have been in discussions with Wimbledon, the French Open, the US Open and [...]
Sue Barker rebuffed approach from Sky Sports to front tennis coverage June 30, 2025 Tennis broadcasting stalwart Sue Barker has revealed she rebuffed an approach to work for Sky Sports as the former face of Wimbledon’s BBC coverage remains away from the cameras. The former French Open winner left the BBC in 2022 after a 30-year broadcasting career which included fronting the Wimbledon Championships and Queen’s, as well as [...]