BNP PARIBAS OPEN TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR AND INDIAN WELLS TENNIS GARDEN
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER STEVE SIMON TO BECOME WTA CEO
Steve Simon, the BNP Paribas Open Tournament Director and Indian Wells Tennis Garden Chief Operating Officer, has been appointed WTA Chief Executive Officer, it was announced today. Simon will be leaving the tournament and venue at the end of November.
Simon joined the tournament in 1989 in a sponsorship sales role after working with adidas for six years. He became Tournament Director and COO in 2004, and since then he has artfully steered the event and venue along a path to significant growth, development and prestige.
At the end of the 2013 tournament, Simon and Indian Wells Tennis Garden CEO Raymond Moore oversaw a significant expansion that included a new permanent Stadium 2 with 8,000 seats and three restaurants, including world-renowned Nobu; four more practice courts; an additional 19,000 square foot shade structure, and more. In 2015, more than 456,000 people attended the event – a 70 percent increase in attendance since 2004 – which continued the event’s run as the most-attended tournament in the world outside of the four Majors.
“I am exceptionally grateful to both Charlie Pasarell and Raymond Moore for the opportunity they gave me more than 25 years ago to work at the BNP Paribas Open,” said Simon. “I have cherished Sent from my iPhone
“Steve Simon has done an outstanding job in his role as Tournament Director,” said Moore. “His commitment, hard work and vision will leave a lasting impact on our tournament for years to come. He is very passionate about the health and growth of the sport of tennis, and the WTA has made a fantastic choice in placing him in the role of CEO. I am confident in the team here at the BNP Paribas Open, and we will continue to focus on delivering a terrific tournament in 2016.”
About the BNP Paribas Open
The BNP Paribas Open is the largest ATP World Tour and WTA combined two-week event in the world, and is held annually at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. The tournament offers more than $10 million in prize money, and is the only event to provide the Hawkeye line challenge system on all match courts, including qualifying rounds.
For more information or to purchase tickets visit www.bnpparibasopen.com, call 800-999-1585 or visit the Indian Wells Tennis Garden box office at 78-200 Miles Avenue, Indian Wells, CA, 92210.
Topics: BNP Paribas Open, Indian Wells, Steve Simon, Tennis News, Wta
TODAY’S #TENNIS HOT NEWS FLASH: STEVE SIMON APPOINTED AS THE NEW W.T.A. CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER- http://t.co/g84qbGanc1 #TennisNews #WTA