• Loading stock data...
Saturday, November 2, 2024
The Best Employers in Sports survey is open through Nov. 6 Learn More

John McEnroe Calls ATP, WTA Merger ‘Inevitable’ 

  • The tennis legend thinks the men’s and women’s tours will merge in the next five years.
  • The ATP and WTA reportedly held merger talks in 2021 around a $600M deal with private equity firm CVC.
McEnroe believes the tennis tours will merge within five years.
Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports

The WTA Tour outlined a plan earlier this week to reach full pay equity with the men’s ATP Tour by 2033. However, John McEnroe believes the two tours will merge much sooner.

“Now you see a situation where I believe in the next five years you’re going to have the men and women tour together. I believe they’re going to merge at some point soon,” said McEnroe, a seven-time men’s Grand Slam champ. “It does seem it’s sort of inevitable at some stage.”

McEnroe made his comments in a Zoom call with reporters on Wednesday before ESPN’s coverage of Wimbledon. During the call, fellow tennis legend turned ESPN broadcaster Chris Evert said that not enough men’s tennis players have publicly supported the fight for pay equity in tennis.  

“It sure helps when men, like John McEnroe, high-profile men, support us, too. It seems like it’s 90% of the women talking about this,” Evert said of tennis’s pay equity bout. “There’s so many psychological things. But I wish more men, especially men tennis players, would support us vocally.”

In June 2021, Sky News reported that private equity CVC was in talks to invest in a $600 million deal to merge the ATP and WTA. The merger would’ve reportedly created a single entity called One Tennis, with CVC holding a minority interest in the combined company. 

CVC partnered with the WTA in March to invest $150 million for a 20% stake in the Tour’s new commercial vehicle called WTA Ventures. In March, WTA CEO Steve Simon said CVC’s investment “doesn’t prohibit, in any way, from us continuing to have discussions with the ATP and potentially doing a bigger deal with the ATP involved,” according to the Associated Press.  

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Lululemon-Fanatics Collab With NHL Sees ‘Explosive’ First-Day Sales

The premium collection made up 80% of all NHL merch sales.
Feb 1, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CANADA; Team King defender Savannah Harmon (15) scores against Team Kloss goaltender Nicole Hensley (29) during the PWHL 3-on-3 Showcase during NHL All-Star Thursday at Scotiabank Arena.

PWHL Will Add Two Teams in Expansion Move

Possible new sites include Detroit, Pittsburgh, and Quebec City.

Rafael Nadal to Retire: His Impact on Tennis, Endorsement Legacy

Nadal has been battling with injuries over the last few years.
Jul 12, 2024; London, United Kingdom; Lorenzo Musetti of Italy returns a shot against Novak Djokovic of Serbia on day 12 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.

Wimbledon Turns to AI After 147 Years of Tennis Line Judges

The French Open is now the lone tennis major without electronic line calling.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

First-Ever 12-Team CFP Takes Shape

0:00

Featured Today

Sep 28, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; GOP Presidential candidate Donald Trump waves flanked by former Georgia Bulldogs player Herschel Walker, recording art Kid Rock, professional golfer John Daily, Alabama senators Tommy Tuberville (R) and Katie Britt (R) during the second half of the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Georgia Bulldogs at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Mission Swing State: College Football’s Political Advertising Battle

Trump, Harris, and the PACs that support them are utilizing the sport.
October 31, 2024

The Untapped Revenue ‘Powder Keg’ of Women’s NFL Fandom

There’s a “boatload” of money at stake for brands and the league.
Oct 19, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway (2) shakes hands while entering the locker room after a game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
October 28, 2024

NIL Director Is the Trendy New Job in College Sports. But the Role Is Chaos

Athletic departments nationwide are hiring for what’s become their most important position.
FuboTV signage
opinion
October 26, 2024

Fubo’s Fight Against Streaming Giants Feels Futile

Fubo notched a legal win, but subs and stock still slump.

Everyone Wants In on the WNBA Expansion Gold Rush

There are 10 to 12 cities interested in a WNBA expansion team.
Oct 31, 2024; New York, New York, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers president and CEO Stan Kasten celebrates with the Commissioner’s Trophy after the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the New York Yankees in game four to win the 2024 MLB World Series at Yankee Stadium.
October 31, 2024

Dodgers Winning Formula Blends Underdog Spirit With Big Dollars

Team officials point to an “opportunistic” mindset as it overcame numerous injuries and setbacks.
Oct 18, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) works around New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart (30) during the first half of game four of the 2024 WNBA Finals at Target Center.
October 31, 2024

Unrivaled Expands While Keeping Seat Warm for Caitlin Clark

The women’s basketball league is adding six roster spots to bring the total to 36.
Sponsored

World Series Delivers High-Demand Marquee Matchup

The hype around the World Series matchup drove ticket prices to record levels—but the Dodgers’ dominance quickly quieted the fervor.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) reacts to scoring a touchdown with Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) in the fourth quarter of the NFL game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024.
October 31, 2024

Here’s Every NFL Team Linked to Private Equity Investments

The NFL gave the O.K. in August for PE firms to buy up to 10% of a franchise.
October 30, 2024

Money Well Spent: Dodgers Top Yankees in World Series

The financially robust MLB club wins its first full-season league championship since 1988.
Nick Dunlap of Tuscaloosa, Ala., tees off on the 18th during the third round of the Sanderson Farms Championship at the Country Club of Jackson in Jackson, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024.
October 30, 2024

PGA Tour Could Get More Exclusive Under Proposed Rule Changes

This is the latest move to consolidate more prize money and rankings points.
October 30, 2024

Yankees Stay Alive, but N.Y. Ticket Prices One-Third of L.A. Rates

Prices remain way down for the final World Series game at Yankee Stadium.