Categories: The Interview

Women’s tennis CEO Stacey Allaster on equal pay, sexy tennis garb, and Venus

In conversation with Kate Fillion

by Kate Fillion on Thursday, August 19, 2010 9:20am - 0 Comments

Photograph by Bob Croslin/Getty

A 15-year veteran of Tennis Canada, Stacey Allaster—who got her start cleaning courts in Welland, Ont.—is now chairman and CEO of the Women’s Tennis Association. She joined the WTA in 2006 as president, and was instrumental in achieving pay equity in prize money for female players at all four Grand Slam events. The total prize money on the women’s tour is US$85 million—up from $300,000 in 1973.

Q: In terms of global reach and total revenues, no other women’s sport comes close to tennis. Why is there greater public acceptance of female athletes in tennis?
A: They are truly the best female athletes in the world. Look at the 40 weeks they play, the level of athletic performance, combined with the global footprint of tennis and the amount of television coverage. And we are the only sport in the world where men and women play on the same stage. That brings more viewers, and all of a sudden it’s an aha moment around how talented these female athletes are.

Q: Where do you look for inspiration, since other women’s sports can’t provide it?
A: I’ve always looked to one of the greatest leaders in professional sports: [NBA Commissioner] David Stern. He said, “It’s not about the sport, it’s about the fans, and we can’t be afraid to transform the sport to meet the needs and the wants of our fans.”

Q: Applying that in tennis, which is so fixated on tradition, must be a challenge.
A: [Laughs] No question. Up until electronic line-calling, we hadn’t had any changes in over 32 years. So it’s not easy bringing change to our sport, but when I first started at the WTA, I went to a television summit that ESPN hosted—they had all their producers, directors and talent there, and they gave us a list of 13 things that we needed to do as a sport to be able to be more competitive and compelling through the medium of television.

Q: Such as?
A: Interviewing players before they walk on court, which now happens, but prior to 2006, never happened. Another example, probably the most controversial fan experience I’ve brought in, is on-court coaching. The old rule in tennis was that coaches sit courtside, not participating in the match, whereas in many other sports the coach is part of the show. The caddy is giving constant tips to the golfer even though it’s an individual sport. The boxer is coming into his or her corner and getting tips, strategy and motivation. What we do now—just on the WTA, the men don’t do this—is that if players want, their coaches can come on the court once per set, and they’re miked to provide an enhanced experience for the viewer at home. Fans are 50-50 on it so I wouldn’t call it a hit. But it allows fans at home to be part of the show and have more insight into the match.

Q: How hard is it to manage the players?
A: Like any organization, you have some demanding personalities, but generally, I’m dealing with young women who have a real understanding of and respect for the opportunities they have.

Q: What’s the most difficult thing you’ve had to say to a player?
A: To date, having to pull an athlete out of a year-end championship because she missed a couple of filings of her whereabouts. We have absolutely zero tolerance for drugs in tennis, and testing happens randomly throughout the year; athletes have to put into a computer where they’re going to be one hour a day, and on any day, someone could turn up there for a test. This player didn’t test positive, she just didn’t file her whereabouts, and I had to sit with her and her dad and inform them that she had to withdraw from the competition. Heart-wrenching, because it was an administrative error, but professional sport comes with significant obligations for an athlete.

Q: What do you like most and least about your job?
A: I’ve got the dream job, leading the organization Billie Jean King founded. Going to events and hearing the roar of the fans in a full stadium is what drives me. And being able to make a difference: yes, it’s about forehands and backhands, but so much more. It’s about what Billie started, that women are strong and confident, and deserve to be equal. As we go to other parts of the world, where appreciation for women is not the same, it’s pretty energizing. My least favourite part is the travel. I’m on the road 150 days a year, so there’s physical wear and tear combined with being away from my husband, who’s left his career to be at home, and my kids.

Q: They’re pretty young, right?
A: Yes, six and eight.

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Tags: athletes, Stacey Allaster, Tennis, Venus Williams, Women's Tennis Association

Michael

Interesting article… I would find it tough to sit in a meeting with anyone who was "tweeting" during it, no matter how important they were or how insightful their comments were. Venus sounds like a proffessional though.
Stephan

"Why is there greater public acceptance of female athletes in tennis?"

Because it's one of the only mainstream sports you can watch women compete and not feel like you're watching an inferior product compared to the mens game.

In fact, in many respects, the women's game is better than the mens game because the mens game has so much focus on the serve. Women tend to have longer rallies, which, in my opinion, are more exciting than a tonne of aces.

http://relevantmatters.wordpress.com/2010/04/06/a-sci-fi-novella/ relevantmatters

Re: "In fact, in many respects, the women's game is better than the mens game because the mens game has so much focus on the serve. Women tend to have longer rallies, which, in my opinion, are more exciting than a tonne of aces."

For many people, the longer rallies are boring, especially to irregular viewers, who find that serves by the Andy Roddicks of the game are very exciting. Some irregular fans of tennis find women's play more exciting because they have lower expectations of the women and are surprised to see them play well.

As for equal prize money, the women in the majors receive 100 percent of the men's pay for only 66 percent of the work. I call it equal pay for unequal work. See "By Remaining Silent on Women's Tennis, Feminists Show Dishonesty About the Gender Wage Gap" at http://tinyurl.com/n3kece

http://footfault.net Foot Fault

The players aren't paid for how much they work, they are paid for how much they WIN. It is called 'PRIZE money' for a reason. It's not a piece rate or a salary. Therefore not only is that argument outdated, it is a completely null argument.

And yes, people do generally enjoy watching longer rallies which can create suspense and excitement. Compared with certain ATP players who just serve aces the whole match and win 7-6 6-7 7-6 in the shortest amount of time. Yes it can be fun at first, but it quickly becomes boring and monotonous.

http://relevantmatters.wordpress.com/2010/04/06/a-sci-fi-novella/ relevantmatters

In major tournaments, a player is paid a certain amount even if he or she loses in the first round; they are paid for showing up.

Let's leave it to the players, the "workers," — not us fans — to decide which sex has the better deal for the exact say pay: Ms. Female Player, who loses in the first round in two sets, or Mr. Male Player, who loses in the first round in three sets.

Some male players have complained about the unequal work (Phil Dent, being one, I think), but when they complain, both women and men, especially the chivalrous men who want to "protect" women from even imaginary injustices, quickly shut them down for being "whiners." Some male players don't sign up for doubles matches the way many female players do, such as the Williams sisters, because they calculate that they may have to play exhausting 5-set matches in every round. That's how the unequal work costs the male players extra money.

The argument is "outdated" because it has been put forth for so long (by so few brave male players) and because it is called outdated by those who disagree and want to call it outdated in order to devalue it.

Victor

Well, I think women should play best-of-5 during Majors. Since women make much more with endorsements than the average male player, what's a couple more sets in the grand scheme of things.

If the women agree to play best-of-5 for Majors, there will be no more . When the women play blowout matches, they usually last 40-50 mins. As a paying customer, the value of the dollar should go a little further. There is no doubt the men play a more skilled game. Faster, harder, more variety of shots and more hussle. However, people already know this and skill level is not the issue. Female tennis players are getting sexier and sexier. Long legs, great butt, great body, nice breasts and sexy outfits. That's what people pay to see. The men in comparison, are less flamboyant and none of them are charismatic and really stand out . Perhaps the ATP tour needs a new "Bad Boy" of tennis.

High quality tennis in the ATP vs good enough tennis with sexy as hell babes in the WTA.

Generally, men's finals are more competitive than women's finals. Sex appeal is the main attraction in the WTA, and if that's what's gets tennis more sponsors and better media coverage, women should definitely have equal pay. The issue is not length and quality of matches any more, it's about who is more popular.

Compared to all other female sports, Tennis is the best. The skill gap with tennis is definitely smaller than every other professional sport. Take a look at hockey, the skill gap is so large the women can't possibly win the argument for equal pay. There also is no media interest because the women are all covered up with equipment. That means lower revenues due to smaller audiences and sponsors. This doesn't mean it won't change, just not any time soon.