Tony Godsick and John McEnroe recently discussed the business side of tennis and the upcoming 2024 Laver Cup in an interview on CNBC’s “Squawk Box”. Godsick emphasized the importance of sponsorships and ticket sales as major revenue drivers for the Laver Cup. He mentioned the growing trend of streaming platforms in the future of broadcasting sports events and expressed a desire for the Laver Cup to be a leader in this area within tennis.
When asked about his thoughts on the current state of the tennis business, McEnroe highlighted that while tennis is doing well financially, there are still issues of accessibility and affordability. He also stressed the need for players to have a stronger partnership with major events, similar to other professional sports leagues like the NFL and NBA.
Godsick countered by pointing out the positive aspects of the tennis business, citing the success of events like the U.S. Open and the influx of new brands entering the tennis market. He also noted the increasing popularity of tennis in the fashion world, with big names like Taylor Swift attending events like the U.S. Open.
The conversation then shifted to the idea of creating a unified league or association for the Majors in tennis. McEnroe highlighted the lack of a union for players and the need for better organization within the sport. He suggested that players may need to consider boycotting certain major events to push for their demands and show their commitment to improving the sport.
Godsick echoed the need for open dialogue between players, event organizers, and other stakeholders in tennis. He emphasized the dominance of the four Grand Slam events in generating revenue for the sport and called for fairer compensation for players. Overall, both Godsick and McEnroe agreed on the importance of collaboration and communication to drive the business of tennis forward in a positive direction.
