Steve Simon becomes just the third CEO of the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) since 2003, follwing in the steps of Larry Scott and Stacey Allaster.
WTA Moves Quickly To Name New CEO
The Board of Directors for the WTA has unanimously approved the hiring of Steve Simon as the new Chief Executive Officer of the WTA. Simon has previously served as the CEO of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells since 2004. In a press release, the board said that Simon was a logical choice, "Steve Simon, with his successful career leading one of tennis' most prestigious tournaments, is the perfect person to run the WTA."
The Board continued by saying that Simon's experience in leading the Indian Wells tournament should serve him well in his new role, "Steve produced results, pursued excellence and he kept innovating, making the fan experience even better. He has a very clear vision for the sport and is held in high regard by all."
Simon replaces Stacey Allaster just three days after her resignation took effect. Allaster had announced on September 22nd that she would be stepping away from her position due to personal reasons. She leaves the WTA in good shape. Along with Larry Scott, Allaster helped the WTA signed a 10-year, $525 million deal to expand the viewership of WTA tournaments with broadcasting agencies worldwide.
Simon's Appointment Applauded
The decision to appoint Simon as the CEO of the WTA has been met with nothing but good reviews from players and others involved with the sport. Serena Williams led the praise of Simon, saying "I know how much he cares about the opinions of the players. He's a good listener and he has our best interests in mind."
Maria Sharapova chimed in, saying that Simon has already done a lot for the sport, "Steve is a strong leader and someone who thinks big about our sport. Every year, Indian Wells gets more innovative and better. I'm glad to see him become our CEO."
WTA founder Billie Jean King echoed the sentiments of two of the tour's most popular players, stating that Simon brings strong experience to the position. "His track record is marked by success. He is thoughtful, respectful and he has excellent business judgment."
Simon Will Take Over Fully In November
Steve Simon will begin his job duties at the WTA immediately and will transition from his role at Indian Wells to take over the CEO spot with the WTA full-time as of November 30th. Simon said it is an amazing opportunity for him, "I am humbled and at the same time very excited about the opportunity that has been presented to me by the Board. I will be focused on building upon the successful platforms that have been put in place by my predecessors."