US Open Finds Creative Way To Earn More Money

Written by: on 6th September 2012
US Open Finds Creative Way To Earn More Money  |

US Open officials might not be able to work out how to get a roof over a showcourt, but the administrators have found a creative way to generate money on the tournament grounds, even if it is the smallest element of their event.

 

The latest money-spinning lark: selling balls used in specific matches to tennis-mad fans – with balls used on match points going for a premium.

 

The concept, of course, is a first and the Open is charging an eye-watering first-mover price of $60 for a “regular” match ball hit by a name player. Precious match-point balls go into an online auction with prices reaching much higher, and anyone, anyplace can bid for the balls.

 

Officials have partnered with a sports memorabilia company to insure that the balls they are selling are “certified.”

 

That consists of having authorized runners scoop up the balls after the handshake at the net, taking care to try and separate out the match point one – if the winner has not joyfully blasted it up into the stands and therefore depriving the federation of its cut of the new income stream.

 

Ball collection officials told local media that to insure authenticity, the balls are taken to a nearby office to be dotted with a laser image which can be used to trace back its provenance (authenticity), something collectors now demand.

 

Fans then have the chance to pay good money for the used materials at a kiosk conveniently located on the grounds. Used ball prices are variable, with one person paying $79 for an Andy Roddick ball. Custom wooden cases for the precious collectables cost extra – plus tax.

©Daily Tennis News Wire

Topics: , , , , ,








10sBalls Top Stories

In Case You Missed It

EUGENIE BOUCHARD NAMED 2018 TENNIS CANADA FEMALE PLAYER OF THE YEAR / EUGENIE BOUCHARD NOMMÉE JOUEUSE DE L’ANNÉE 2018 DE TENNIS CANADA thumbnail

EUGENIE BOUCHARD NAMED 2018 TENNIS CANADA FEMALE PLAYER OF THE YEAR / EUGENIE BOUCHARD NOMMÉE JOUEUSE DE L’ANNÉE 2018 DE TENNIS CANADA

Tennis Canada announced on Wednesday that Eugenie Bouchard is the winner of the 2018 Excellence Awards in the Female Player of the Year and Singles Player of the Year categories.
TENNIS NEWS • CALIFORNIA CHAMPIONSHIPS • TOMMY HAAS, TAYLOR FRITZ, STEVE JOHNSON, MARDY FISH AND MORE thumbnail

TENNIS NEWS • CALIFORNIA CHAMPIONSHIPS • TOMMY HAAS, TAYLOR FRITZ, STEVE JOHNSON, MARDY FISH AND MORE

Time to get tickets to watch! Surly you have heard about The Largest Open Tennis Event in America!
TENNIS NEWS • RAFA NADAL CONFIRMS RETURN TO PRACTICE, EYES ABU DHABI EXHIBITION AND AUSTRALIAN SUMMER thumbnail

TENNIS NEWS • RAFA NADAL CONFIRMS RETURN TO PRACTICE, EYES ABU DHABI EXHIBITION AND AUSTRALIAN SUMMER

According to Uncle Toni, Rafael Nadal was supposed to be back at practice on either Dec. 4 or 5. Well, better late than never!
Conchita Martínez prepara la temporada 2019 de Karolina Pliskova en Tenerife thumbnail

Conchita Martínez prepara la temporada 2019 de Karolina Pliskova en Tenerife

Española y checa ya trabajaron juntas durante el pasado Open de Estados Unidos
ALEJANDRO’S FAVORITE PHOTOS FOR 10SBALLS FROM SOME OF THIS YEAR’S TOURNAMENTS thumbnail

ALEJANDRO’S FAVORITE PHOTOS FOR 10SBALLS FROM SOME OF THIS YEAR’S TOURNAMENTS

Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia hits a forehand to Kaia Kanepi of Estonia during her second round match at the Nature Valley International tennis tournament in Eastbourne, Great Britain, on Tuesday, June 26, 2018.