Saudis make billion dollar offer to merge ATP and WTA tours, add January Masters tournament

Kralingen

Bionic Poster

Saudi Arabia launches tennis takeover with $1 billion take-it-or-leave-it offer​

Exclusive: Saudi offer to merge men’s and women’s tours is apparently time-sensitive, with a 90-day expiration period if it is not accepted


Saudi Arabia has made its move for tennis, Telegraph Sport can reveal, with a $1 billion take-it-or-leave it offer to merge the men’s and women’s tours.

Sources say that after the Premium Tour discussions in Indian Wells on Saturday, ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi asked the Masters tournaments to stay behind once the four grand slams had left the room.

He then briefed them on an offer from the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund. The deal is apparently time-sensitive, with a 90-day expiration period if it is not accepted.

The biggest upside for the PIF would be a Masters 1000 tournament in the first week of the season, which was what the Saudis have wanted all along, and what Gaudenzi has been pushing for for more than a year.
However, this idea was strongly opposed by Tennis Australia boss Craig Tiley, who has established the United Cup team event in the same slot of the calendar. The resulting animosity between Tiley and Gaudenzi started the slams down the road to their so-called Premium Tour model last year.
It now seems all the more significant that Gaudenzi did not attend January’s Australian Open along with all the other tennis stakeholders, but instead travelled to Riyadh to negotiate with PIF.

A small sponsorship deal was announced last month, putting PIF branding on the ATP rankings, but that was clearly only a starting point.

This news has the potential to cause further tension between the two tours and the four slams, especially as United States Tennis Association chief revenue officer Lew Sherr insisted that the ATP and WTA chairmen should be invited to Saturday’s Premium Tour meetings as a point of courtesy.

Now it emerges that Gaudenzi has his own unifying model up his sleeve, in which he would ascend to become a tennis commissioner for the two tours.

As things stand, the slams would not be part of this PIF offer.
 

The Guru

Legend
Is it one billion to own both tours slams not included? That seems incredibly low. For example, the UFC and WWE combined are valued at 14 billion (and that number would be higher if they were being acquired)? Are the ATP and WTA that lowly in comparison?
 

Zardoz7/12

Hall of Fame
This was the end game all along when the Saudis started their venture into tennis.

Am I ignorant in saying what does "merging" tours mean?

Money talks and that's what it's about, it's not about loyalty or morality, it's always been about he who has the most money.

If the Saudi's have a grass masters then I might be swayed.
 

Rosstour

G.O.A.T.
Is it one billion to own both tours slams not included? That seems incredibly low. For example, the UFC and WWE combined are valued at 14 billion (and that number would be higher if they were being acquired)? Are the ATP and WTA that lowly in comparison?

Clearly the Super progressive Saudis regard the WTA as a throw-in.

Sort of like when you buy used wheels. You're really looking for the wheels...the WTA are the tires

I agree that this is a lowball offer. They have something else at play, something hostile. Maybe a giant sponsor coup
 

Better_Call_Raul

Hall of Fame
Playing a (mandatory?) tune-up in Riyadh a week before AO starts doesn't make sense.

Long-neglected geographic regions of the world must be given a chance to participate.
Singapore, Bangalore, Riyadh, Moscow, China... There are many possibilities.

The monopoly of the 4 slams is rather offensive. We need inclusivity and diversity.

Where are all the "woke" people on this issue? Where is Bart?
 

_phantom

Hall of Fame
Long-neglected geographic regions of the world must be given a chance to participate.
Singapore, Bangalore, Riyadh, Moscow, China... There are many possibilities.

The monopoly of the 4 slams is rather offensive.
Even you left out all the southern hemispheroids - Bs Aires, Rio, Cape Town...

What about the players? They are already fatigued with the current calendar. Add more, nice.
 

jackson vile

G.O.A.T.
NO!

We need the “WTA” as far away from the ATP as possible!

The women are more than welcome to compete in the ATP if they want. It’s 100% inclusive, unlike the “WTA” which is exclusively for women as they seem unable to compete at the same level as men and thus formed their own “special” league
 

Kralingen

Bionic Poster
Long-neglected geographic regions of the world must be given a chance to participate.
Long neglected?
Singapore
WTA finals were held there in the mid 2010s
Bangalore
There is a Challenger event there. I actually watched some of it it last month
Many tournaments held in this geographic region, Dubai and Doha for one, plus exhos
ATP 250 Tournament called the Kremlin Cup held there until 2022. Also a St Petersburg Open until 2021
China... There are many possibilities.
There is both an ATP 500 and Masters event held there.

What do you mean by long-neglected, exactly?
 

merwy

G.O.A.T.
This was the end game all along when the Saudis started their venture into tennis.

Am I ignorant in saying what does "merging" tours mean?

Money talks and that's what it's about, it's not about loyalty or morality, it's always been about he who has the most money.

If the Saudi's have a grass masters then I might be swayed.
I have the same question. Does it mean every event will future a men's and women's competition (so no more Rotterdam 500 without a women's draw as well, for example)? Otherwise, I genuinely have no idea.
 

bluetrain4

G.O.A.T.
A masters in January is going to completely ruin the Australian summer calendar isn't it ?
If the AO wants maintain its usual weeks on the calendar, it's just an incredibly tight fit. There's really only three weeks of the season before the AO. I guess the AO could be moved a couple weeks, but then it loses it's usual end-of-summer position. Or the Masters could be at the end of December, but that infringes on the off-season and holidays (at least for some players). But they're talking about the year starting with a Masters at the beginning of January and then there could be a week off before the AO - that's not too crazy. But, flip side, the traditional AO warmups are hurt and the top players have to arrive in Australia later than they used to.
 
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The Blond Blur

G.O.A.T.

Saudi Arabia launches tennis takeover with $1 billion take-it-or-leave-it offer​

leave-it-kliner-sr.gif
 

Better_Call_Raul

Hall of Fame
Even you left out all the southern hemispheroids - Bs Aires, Rio, Cape Town...

What about the players? They are already fatigued with the current calendar. Add more, nice.

It makes more sense to have hard court season open in January in Riyadh (or Singapore or whatever neglected geographic region).
The calendar is not set in stone. Let the dates for Melbourne shift. Or let other sites compete with Melbourne as the fourth major.
Competition is always good. And you can be sure that ATP players have no allegiance and will follow the Saudi $$$.
 

Kralingen

Bionic Poster
I have the same question. Does it mean every event will future a men's and women's competition (so no more Rotterdam 500 without a women's draw as well, for example)? Otherwise, I genuinely have no idea.
That seems ridiculously implausible to do simultaneously. In fact you probably couldn’t do it at any 250/500 tournament without either a) implementing a 2 week schedule or b) significant upgrades to numerous tennis facilities (and at some, this would be physically impossible not to mention costly)
 

Better_Call_Raul

Hall of Fame
This was the end game all along when the Saudis started their venture into tennis.

Am I ignorant in saying what does "merging" tours mean?

Money talks and that's what it's about, it's not about loyalty or morality, it's always been about he who has the most money.

If the Saudi's have a grass masters then I might be swayed.

KSA should not bother with the WTA. There is great friction with WTA given that women in KSA are second-class citizens.
Have only recently been allowed to drive.

 

Better_Call_Raul

Hall of Fame
Long neglected?

Stop the gaslighting.
These long-neglected regions, such as Singapore and Riyadh deserve a Masters 1000 event.

It makes no sense for Paris to be hosting both a Major and a Masters.
:unsure:

  1. Indian Wells Open (Indian Wells, California, USA) - Hardcourt
  2. Miami Open (Miami Gardens, Florida, USA) - Hardcourt
  3. Monte-Carlo Masters (Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, Monaco) - Clay
  4. Madrid Open (Madrid, Spain) - Clay
  5. Italian Open (Rome, Italy) - Clay
  6. Canadian Open (Toronto, Canada & Montreal, Canada) - Hardcourt (alternating between cities)
  7. Cincinnati Open (Mason, Ohio, USA) - Hardcourt
  8. Shanghai Masters (Shanghai, China) - Hardcourt
  9. Paris Masters (Paris, France) - Indoor Hardcourt
 
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insideguy

G.O.A.T.
Something aint right about this article. I dont know WTF they are offering a billion on but its not buying both tours. The New York Yankees franchise alone has a value of 7 billion. The Dallas cowboys are the most valuable franchise in the world at 9 billion. And these are just individual teams. I have no idea what the tennis tour is worth, but a billion? Yea. No.
 

bluetrain4

G.O.A.T.
Beyond the combined events (even if not every event), I'd assume "merging tours" means that there would now only be one executive and administrative branch for a single tour with men's and women's events, some held simultaneously, some not. Each tour already has plenty of weeks where there's multiple events in different locations. So, I wouldn't think that every event has to be combined if the tours merged.
 

insideguy

G.O.A.T.
Long-neglected geographic regions of the world must be given a chance to participate.
Singapore, Bangalore, Riyadh, Moscow, China... There are many possibilities.

The monopoly of the 4 slams is rather offensive. We need inclusivity and diversity.

Where are all the "woke" people on this issue? Where is Bart?
They aint gonna hold any tournaments in Moscow anytime soon man. China has a bunch of tournaments.
 

bluetrain4

G.O.A.T.
I honestly think the initial $2 billion (on r/tennis someone said that it's a billion for each tour) is to get their foot in the door. I'd think there's more money forthcoming as the enterprise unfolds. All these comparisons to other sports league and team valuations might be moot if that's the case. And, I wouldn't think that the tennis people considering this are dumb enough to accept a flat $1 or $2 billion - a one-time payment.
 

_phantom

Hall of Fame
The calendar is not set in stone. Let the dates for Melbourne shift. Or let other sites compete with Melbourne as the fourth major.
If we constantly change and leave everything open in the wild, what's the point? Tennis, like any other sport (and most things in life) is comprised of narratives. Some stability and gatekeeping are necessary to maintain the illusion of significance, no?
 

weakera

Talk Tennis Guru
Federer doesn't have 1 Billion to spend, he might have that in shares and investments but he cannot liquidate all that.


Federer could find about 1,000 different places (that might be a conservative number), individuals and funds alike, who would love to fund a bid in his name. Let's say Roger could gather $500m liquid, he could either get the rest from a bank or partner with a wealthy friend. It would be no problem.
 

Razer

G.O.A.T.
Federer could find about 1,000 different places (that might be a conservative number), individuals and funds alike, who would love to fund a bid in his name. Let's say Roger could gather $500m liquid, he could either get the rest from a bank or partner with a wealthy friend. It would be no problem.

Not sure if that is possible. Would you liquidate 50% of your wealth to buy something taking a big risk? Federer earned all his money with hard work, it is not oil like the Saudis have, so he won't take such risks. I think he would be ok with liquidating like 10-15% of his wealth for something where he would be in control with major stakes, not more.
 

Better_Call_Raul

Hall of Fame
If we constantly change and leave everything open in the wild, what's the point? Tennis, like any other sport (and most things in life) is comprised of narratives. Some stability and gatekeeping are necessary to maintain the illusion of significance, no?

This is a myopic view. In the 1980s, many top players were skipping the Australian Open.
We must always be open to change. Nothing is set in stone.
 

weakera

Talk Tennis Guru
Not sure if that is possible. Would you liquidate 50% of your wealth to buy something taking a big risk? Federer earned all his money with hard work, it is not oil like the Saudis have, so he won't take such risks. I think he would be ok with liquidating like 10-15% of his wealth, not more.

Federer could put up $50 million and easily find backers for the next $950 million. Alex Rodriguez found a way to buy the Timberwolves for $1.5 billion and he isn't as wealthy as Federer and no one likes him.

Federer could raise $1 billion in his sleep.
 

heftylefty

Hall of Fame
I have no problem with adding more Masters 1000 events, just don't make playing all of them mandatory. If you have 12 Masters 1000 tournaments, make playing 8 mandatories.
 
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Razer

G.O.A.T.
Federer could put up $50 million and easily find backers for the next $950 million. Alex Rodriguez found a way to buy the Timberwolves for $1.5 billion and he isn't as wealthy as Federer and no one likes him.

Federer could raise $1 billion in his sleep.

No he cannot raise 1 Billion, if he could then he would have done it already and tried something really big. See Federer can invest 50M-100M in ATP if 200M is all it takes to buy this, because he would be a major partner in all this. However if he is to put 50M in something which is worth billions then why would he raises all that money if he cannot control all the investors? It is not a joke, whoever has majority stakes in always starts pulling their weight and push their agenda, this is how any business works, I dont think Roger can do all this. Maybe Pegula's father can buy ATP+WTA if 1 Billion is all it takes, but then why would they? Even they are not that much into tennis to tamper with their finances to invest so much.
 
A

ALCARAZWON

Guest
I've always wanted Craig Tiley to disappear, so I'm all for Saudis (y)
Tennis needs more money, and that's why Saudis are so crucial, while the AO season can go kick rocks.
Saudis should have events in EVERY month of the year, and all players should support the idea if they want more money.
 

weakera

Talk Tennis Guru
No he cannot raise 1 Billion, if he could then he would have done it already and tried something really big. See Federer can invest 50M-100M in ATP if 200M is all it takes to buy this, because he would be a major partner in all this. However if he is to put 50M in something which is worth billions then why would he raises all that money if he cannot control all the investors? It is not a joke, whoever has majority stakes in always starts pulling their weight and push their agenda, this is how any business works, I dont think Roger can do all this. Maybe Pegula's father can buy ATP+WTA if 1 Billion is all it takes, but then why would they? Even they are not that much into tennis to tamper with their finances to invest so much.

Not only could he do it, he could do it EASILY. However there is plenty of bureaucracy that would prevent it from happening. It's not as simple as, "I have the money, here's the offer" - it would depend entirely on Federer's mandate for tennis. But in a vacuum, the idea that Federer, who is a billionaire, could not raise $1 billion to fund a viable business venture is laughable considering there are examples of athletes who are less wealthy and influential than Federer doing just that.
 

_phantom

Hall of Fame
This is a myopic view. In the 1980s, many top players were skipping the Australian Open.
Things change.
I didn't say change should not come. Gatekeeping doesn't mean being static. I believe football (soccer) has done a wonderful job preserving tradition and significance while still modernizing, an excellent example to follow.

Also think about it. Add the 10th masters, and suddenly Djo no longer holds the record of (double) career masters. Do you really want that?
 
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