ATP World Tour’s newly installed head admits that the global financial crisis has an impact in the tour, but stressed the challenges will only inspire them to do better.
“I know there is a thought that the sport has not necessarily commercialized its appeal to the extent that it could, and I’m hopeful we can do better in that regard,” said ATP President Adam Helfant was quoted as saying.
“That’s a real opportunity for us, obviously tempered by the economic climate,” he added
Before his appointment as the new ATP President in January, Helfant served as a lawyer for the National Hockey League (NHL) and as an executive for Nike.
Helfant said that the tour is not “recession-proof” and that they are currently monitoring the situation and finding opportunities despite the economic challenges.
“Any discussion on challenges and opportunities has to start with the global economic situation, which has an impact on virtually everything. We are certainly not recession proof, and we’re monitoring the effects on our tournaments in particular, and seeing how it is affecting fans’ habits. We know it’s had a big effect on hospitality and the sponsorship environment is very different,” Helfant said.
