Introduction to World Team Tennis (WTT)
World Team Tennis (WTT) is a professional tennis league founded in 1974 by four tennis legends: Billie Jean King, Jimmy Connors, Dennis Ralston and Cliff Drysdale. For the last four decades, WTT has been a leader in growing the game of tennis and presenting it in a unique team format. Today, WTT is a global brand, delivering entertainment and excitement to millions of tennis fans around the world.
History of WTT
WTT began in 1974 and was the first professional sports league to feature both male and female players competing on the same team. The league was an immediate success and featured many of the greatest players of all time, including King, Connors, Chris Evert, John McEnroe, and Martina Navratilova.
WTT was the first professional tennis league to introduce innovations such as on-court coaching and a no-ad scoring system. The league also introduced the concept of team play and the use of “wild card” players, allowing teams to field the best players in the world.
For its first eight years, WTT was based in the United States and featured teams from cities such as New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. The league expanded to include teams from other countries in the 1980s, adding teams from the United Kingdom, Japan, and the Netherlands.
Who Owns WTT?
WTT is owned by the World Team Tennis Professional Tennis, LLC (WTTPT). The WTTPT is a Delaware limited liability company that was formed in August 2014. The company is owned by a group of investors led by Mark Ein, an entrepreneur and philanthropist from Washington, D.C.
Mark Ein is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of WTTPT. He has been a leading figure in the tennis industry for over a decade, having founded the DC-based tennis tournament, the Citi Open. He is also a board member of the Tennis Industry Association (TIA) and a major supporter of the USTA Foundation.
Mark Ein’s ownership group also includes a number of other high-profile investors, including tennis Hall of Famer Jim Courier, entrepreneur Mark Cuban, basketball legend Magic Johnson, and tennis champion and entrepreneur Chris Evert.
Business Model
WTT’s business model is focused on creating an exciting entertainment experience for fans. The league’s teams compete in a short, fast-paced season that runs from mid-July to early September. Each match consists of five sets: men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles, and a mixed doubles set.
The WTT season culminates in the King Trophy Championship, a single-elimination playoff tournament. The championship is named in honor of WTT’s founder and tennis legend Billie Jean King.
Revenue and Partners
WTT generates revenue from a variety of sources, including ticket sales, sponsorships, broadcast rights, and merchandise. The league has partnerships with a number of major companies, including Wilson, the official equipment and apparel sponsor, and Citi, the official banking partner.
In addition, WTT recently announced a partnership with Amazon Prime Video, which will stream all WTT matches and other content on the platform. This partnership is a major step forward for the league, as it will provide WTT with greater visibility and reach.
Teams and Players
WTT is composed of 14 teams located across the United States, including the New York Empire, the Washington Kastles, and the San Diego Aviators. The league also includes one international team, the London Lions.
Each team is composed of a mix of current and former professional tennis players. The league is proud to feature some of the best players in the world, including Serena Williams, John Isner, and Venus Williams.
Events and Tournaments
In addition to the regular season matches, WTT also hosts a number of special events and tournaments. The league’s marquee event is the King Trophy Championship, which is held in mid-September. The winner of the tournament is crowned the WTT Champion.
WTT also hosts a number of other special events, including the WTT Smash Hits, a one-night charity event that features tennis legends and current WTT players competing together. The league also hosts the WTT Rec League, a program designed to introduce children to the sport of tennis.
Broadcast and Streaming
WTT matches are broadcast on ESPN2 and CBS Sports Network, as well as on regional sports networks. Fans can also stream WTT matches online through ESPN+ and Amazon Prime Video.
Social Responsibility
WTT is committed to making a positive impact in the communities where it operates. The league is a proud supporter of numerous charities and organizations, including the USTA Foundation, the National Kidney Foundation, and the Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative.
Conclusion
World Team Tennis is a professional tennis league that has been entertaining fans around the world for over four decades. The league is owned by the WTTPT, a Delaware limited liability company led by entrepreneur and philanthropist Mark Ein. WTT’s business model is focused on creating an exciting entertainment experience for fans and the league has partnerships with a number of major companies, including Wilson and Amazon Prime Video. The league is composed of 14 teams and features some of the best players in the world, including Serena Williams and John Isner. WTT matches are broadcast on ESPN2 and CBS Sports Network, as well as on regional sports networks, and the league is committed to making a positive impact in the communities where it operates.
World Team Tennis is an exciting and innovative professional tennis league that has been entertaining fans for over four decades. With its unique team format and partnerships with major companies, WTT is sure to continue to grow and bring excitement to the sport of tennis for years to come.