ITF’s Menneken To Leave

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 6th January 2014

ATP Tennis Tournament in Washington, DC.

ITF’s Menneken To Leave

epa03810289 USA's Ryan Harrison walks toward his broken racquet after smashing it into the ground in frustration during his match against Argentina's Juan Martin Del Potro at the Citi Open ATP tennis tournament in Washington, DC, USA, 01 August 2013. Del Potro won the match 6-1,7-5. EPA/PETE MAROVICH |

Jan Menneken, the man responsible for bringing in more than $500 million of commercial and television income to the International Tennis Federation over the last 16 years, is to leave his position as the governing body’s Executive Director, Commercial at the end of the month.

The Dutchman, educated at the University of Mannheim in Germany and the City University of New York’s Baruch College, joined the ITF in July, 1997 to head up the Television Sales department and took over as Commercial Director in June, 1999.

Menneken’s greatest coup was the initial signing of signing and renewal of BNP Paribas as title sponsor of Davis Cup and Fed Cup. Since then the French bank has progressed to be become the world of tennis’ most generous backer.

Now the departure of Menneken will present a gaping hole for the ITF to fill and it is understood Executive Vice President Juan Margets is planning a complete restructure of the Commercial Department.

Currently the department under Menneken has responsibility for television rights and sponsorship sales. The onus has been on the development and strengthening the ITF’s existing brands, and also maintaining relationships with existing and new sponsors, broadcasters and the tennis industry as a whole.

ITF President Francesco Ricci Bitti applauded the contribution made by Menneken and said: “The ITF wants to thank Jan for all he has contributed to the organization over 17 years.

“Everyone who knows Jan appreciates how much he cares about tennis as a sport and Davis Cup and Fed Cup as competitions. He has done a good job and we wish him only the best for the future.”

Prior to joining the ITF, Menneken started his career in 1987 with a brief stay at McKinsey & Company in Frankfurt before joining the Bertelsmann Group where he became a director with responsibility for Tennis, Golf and US Sports. He then worked with major tournaments and leagues, such as Wimbledon, the US Open Tennis and the National Basketball Association.

In 1997, Jan joined the International Tennis Federation in London as Head of Television building up the TV Marketing Department and servicing all ITF properties including Davis Cup and Fed Cup.

Two years later, he became Executive Director Commercial of the ITF adding responsibility for all commercial activities of the ITF to his television remit including the development and commercial exploitation of all ITF brands, sponsorship sales for Davis Cup, Fed Cup, and all other ITF activities like men’s tennis, women’s tennis, junior tennis, wheelchair tennis, veteran’s tennis and worldwide developmental activities.

As yet Menneken has made no comment about his future plans.

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