Introduction to World TeamTennis
World TeamTennis (WTT) is a professional tennis league founded in 1974. It is a team-based competition featuring six players per side, playing a single set of each of the five disciplines: men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles and mixed doubles. WTT is unique in that it is co-ed, with both male and female players competing on the same court. The league is owned and operated by Billie Jean King and her husband Larry King.
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The History of World TeamTennis
Since its inception, WTT has been an important part of the professional tennis landscape. It was the first professional tennis league to allow men and women to compete together, and the first to use a team format. The league has produced some of the greatest players in the history of the sport, including Billie Jean King, Martina Navratilova, and John McEnroe.
The league has also been a success commercially. WTT has had a number of high-profile sponsors over the years, including Budweiser, Reebok, and Procter & Gamble. The league has also had a number of successful television deals, including a 15-year deal with CBS Sports that began in 1977.
The Rise of World TeamTennis
In the early years of the league, WTT was incredibly successful. The league attracted some of the biggest names in tennis, and the games were well-attended. WTT also had a number of successful television deals, and the league was featured prominently on CBS Sports and other networks.
WTT also had a number of successful seasons, including a record-setting 1978 season that saw the league draw over one million fans to its games. The league also had a number of successful teams, including the Boston Lobsters, the New York Sets, and the Philadelphia Freedoms.
The Decline of World TeamTennis
The success of the league began to wane in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The league’s television deals were not as lucrative, and the league was unable to attract the same level of talent that it had in its early years. The league also began to struggle financially, and in 1995 it declared bankruptcy.
The league was sold to a new ownership group in 1996, but the league continued to struggle financially. The league was unable to attract the same level of talent and fans as it had in its early years, and in 2001 the league was forced to suspend operations.
Attempts to Revive World TeamTennis
In 2003, the league was purchased by a new ownership group and renamed Mylan World TeamTennis. The new league attempted to revive the WTT, but it was unable to attract the same level of talent and fans. The league was also unable to secure a lucrative television deal, and it struggled to remain solvent.
In 2009, the league was sold to Mark Ein and his Washington Kastles franchise. The Kastles were the most successful team in the league’s history, and Ein attempted to use the team’s success to revive the league. He invested heavily in the league, and attempted to expand the league by adding new teams.
Ein also attempted to secure a lucrative television deal, but was unable to do so. The lack of a television deal meant that the league was unable to attract the same level of talent and fans, and the league was unable to remain solvent. In 2014, the league was forced to suspend operations once again.
The Future of World TeamTennis
In 2015, the league was purchased by Mark Ein’s Washington Kastles franchise and renamed the World TeamTennis Pro League. The new league attempted to revive the WTT, but it was unable to attract the same level of talent and fans. The league was also unable to secure a lucrative television deal, and it struggled to remain solvent.
The league is currently operating as a regional league, with teams in the United States and Canada. The league is attempting to attract a new generation of fans and players, and has recently signed a deal with CBS Sports Network to broadcast its matches.
The league is also attempting to attract more sponsors, and has signed a number of high-profile sponsors. The league is also attempting to expand into new markets, and has recently announced plans to launch a league in Mexico.
Conclusion
World TeamTennis has had an interesting history. The league was incredibly successful in its early years, but it has since struggled to remain solvent. The league has attempted to revive itself several times, but has been unable to attract the same level of talent and fans as it had in its early years.
The league is currently attempting to revive itself, and has recently signed a number of high-profile sponsors and signed a deal with CBS Sports Network. The league is attempting to attract a new generation of fans and players, and is attempting to expand into new markets. It remains to be seen if the league will be able to make a successful comeback, but it is clear that the league is making a valiant effort.
Key Takeaways
- World TeamTennis was founded in 1974, and was the first professional tennis league to allow men and women to compete together.
- The league was incredibly successful in its early years, but it has since struggled to remain solvent.
- The league is currently attempting to revive itself, and has recently signed a number of high-profile sponsors and signed a deal with CBS Sports Network.
- The league is attempting to attract a new generation of fans and players, and is attempting to expand into new markets.
Questions to Consider
- What challenges does World TeamTennis face in its attempt to revive itself?
- What strategies can the league use to attract a new generation of fans and players?
- How can the league secure a lucrative television deal?
- What other markets can the league expand into?
Further Reading
- My Pro Tennis: World TeamTennis
- Tennis Magazine: The Rebirth of World TeamTennis
- The New York Times: World TeamTennis Pro League Revived by Washington Kastles Owner