Roger Federer’s ATP-WTA Merger Proposal Makes Huge Waves After $600M Support

Back in April 2020, Swiss tennis legend Roger Federer suggested the merger of the ATP and the WTA. This month, the Association of Tennis Players (ATP) and the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) have taken a major step towards that merger.

The ATP and WTA have hired Rothschild and Allen & Co. respectively, in order to aid discussions regarding the merger of the two associations.

Private equity investor CVC Capital Partners has proposed merging the men’s and the women’s tennis associations. According to the proposal, the new entity thus formed would be called ONE Tennis. Both the WTA and the ATP have been considering the merger since the proposal. Subsequently, the talks have now intensified.

Stakeholders are backing the suggestion by Roger Federer

Executives have been considering a tie-up between the men’s and the women’s tennis associations for a long time. Hiring two financial advising giants makes it safe to assume that talks are going in a positive direction.

According to the proposal, CVC Capital would invest $600 million into the new entity, titled ONE Tennis. This move would merge the women’s tour calendar with that of the men.

This is precisely what Roger Federer had suggested last year, looking at the financially negative effects of the pandemic on the tour.

Thus, the sport would benefit colossally on the commercial front, with the entire tour and all tournaments happening alongside.

The financial effects on both associations last year were tremendous, owing to the shutdown caused by the virus.

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In June, the ATP, whose stars players include Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, and WTA, with star player Emma Raducanu, issued a joint statement regarding the matter. “The WTA and ATP are continually looking for ways to bring the sport closer together in order to provide an enhanced experience for fans, players and tournaments,” they stated.

The merger will expedite tennis’ financial recovery

ONE Tennis, if formed, would aim to bring in greater investments in tournaments. Additionally, they would hope for an increase in players’ prize money, along with better broadcasting.

The CVC has refrained from commenting on the topic, however. Hence, it is safe to assume that talks are still in consideration. Thus, nothing concrete should be expected very soon. What do you make of the talks of a merger?

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