1 00:00:00,280 --> 00:00:03,560 Speaker 1: This is the business of sports where in the situation 2 00:00:03,640 --> 00:00:06,400 Speaker 1: that we haven't dealt with in modern times, pandemic here 3 00:00:06,440 --> 00:00:10,479 Speaker 1: has really accelerated the investments that we've been advocating for 4 00:00:10,480 --> 00:00:12,880 Speaker 1: for years. From a Macrew standpoint, I think our sport 5 00:00:12,920 --> 00:00:16,360 Speaker 1: industry is really forced to look at the business a 6 00:00:16,440 --> 00:00:19,639 Speaker 1: little bit differently, in depth conversations with the leaders in 7 00:00:19,720 --> 00:00:22,759 Speaker 1: the sports industry. Who wants to be the sacrificial lambs 8 00:00:22,800 --> 00:00:25,599 Speaker 1: that shows up at the first big major sporting event 9 00:00:25,880 --> 00:00:27,840 Speaker 1: part of something much bigger than the sport right now 10 00:00:28,080 --> 00:00:30,360 Speaker 1: and the health and rat of our stakeholders the works 11 00:00:30,440 --> 00:00:32,920 Speaker 1: much important every moment. I think we're all from the 12 00:00:32,920 --> 00:00:35,680 Speaker 1: business respective thinking about the impact that the virus is 13 00:00:35,720 --> 00:00:38,960 Speaker 1: having a across the country against Bloomberg Business of Sports 14 00:00:39,000 --> 00:00:42,319 Speaker 1: from Bloomberg Radio. Hello, I'm Jason Kelly, and I'm Mike 15 00:00:42,400 --> 00:00:45,600 Speaker 1: Lynch and I'm Michael Ball and welcome to a special 16 00:00:45,680 --> 00:00:49,239 Speaker 1: Labor Day edition of the Business of Sports. Coming up, 17 00:00:49,240 --> 00:00:51,960 Speaker 1: we're going to catch up with Ken Solomon. He's the 18 00:00:52,000 --> 00:00:55,440 Speaker 1: president of the Tennis Channel, and so we want to 19 00:00:55,440 --> 00:00:59,360 Speaker 1: talk a little bit about the world of tennis guys, 20 00:00:59,560 --> 00:01:02,400 Speaker 1: and just to set the scene. So this is Labor 21 00:01:02,480 --> 00:01:07,000 Speaker 1: Day this is the midpoint just passed of the US Open. 22 00:01:07,200 --> 00:01:10,920 Speaker 1: Every year, and I have to say most years I 23 00:01:10,920 --> 00:01:14,360 Speaker 1: would find myself on this day out at the tournament 24 00:01:14,480 --> 00:01:18,120 Speaker 1: and it would be, as the kids say, bumping. I mean, 25 00:01:18,200 --> 00:01:22,440 Speaker 1: this is such an amazing event for the city of 26 00:01:22,480 --> 00:01:25,200 Speaker 1: New York and the world of tennis. I mean, the 27 00:01:25,280 --> 00:01:28,959 Speaker 1: whole world converges in many ways. It's a rite of 28 00:01:29,080 --> 00:01:32,000 Speaker 1: passage and and such. And I know I'm overdoing a 29 00:01:32,040 --> 00:01:34,319 Speaker 1: little bit. It's a special time in a special place. 30 00:01:35,080 --> 00:01:39,960 Speaker 1: Is that what the kids say nowadays? Yeah, you are 31 00:01:40,240 --> 00:01:44,920 Speaker 1: definitely right, Jason. I mean this especially in New York. Uh, 32 00:01:44,959 --> 00:01:48,840 Speaker 1: this is the event for sporting events that people talk 33 00:01:48,880 --> 00:01:51,800 Speaker 1: about and and and it's it's interesting. You have a 34 00:01:51,840 --> 00:01:57,440 Speaker 1: town with two baseball teams, two football teams, a bunch 35 00:01:57,480 --> 00:02:01,760 Speaker 1: of hockey teams, and NBA team and this is the 36 00:02:01,800 --> 00:02:04,680 Speaker 1: event that everybody talks about and they want to be at. 37 00:02:05,480 --> 00:02:08,560 Speaker 1: Don't sleep on the nets. There come on two basketball teams, 38 00:02:08,800 --> 00:02:13,440 Speaker 1: basketball teams and a new coach too. That's what you 39 00:02:13,480 --> 00:02:16,680 Speaker 1: know what that's true? Steve Nash, Congratulations I should say that. 40 00:02:16,840 --> 00:02:19,560 Speaker 1: So it's uh, and I apologize for ending my sentence 41 00:02:19,560 --> 00:02:23,480 Speaker 1: on a preposition, but okay, but still now. But I 42 00:02:23,520 --> 00:02:26,120 Speaker 1: mean it really is. You're right, I mean, this is 43 00:02:26,919 --> 00:02:29,760 Speaker 1: this is something special. When it's too bad fans aren't there, 44 00:02:30,919 --> 00:02:33,280 Speaker 1: you know. And I wonder if it adds pressure or 45 00:02:33,360 --> 00:02:36,360 Speaker 1: takes pressure off some of the players not having fans 46 00:02:36,400 --> 00:02:39,639 Speaker 1: and stands. Certainly, if you are an underdog and you're 47 00:02:39,760 --> 00:02:42,920 Speaker 1: that Cinderella story, you get the crowd on your side 48 00:02:43,080 --> 00:02:45,480 Speaker 1: and it's just the momentum. You can just feel they 49 00:02:45,520 --> 00:02:47,880 Speaker 1: want you to win every single point, and it's rooting 50 00:02:47,919 --> 00:02:52,320 Speaker 1: for you rather than rooting against your opponent. And and 51 00:02:52,560 --> 00:02:55,400 Speaker 1: I just wonder how many people feel less pressure because 52 00:02:55,400 --> 00:02:58,839 Speaker 1: there's nobody in the seats or sort of like two 53 00:02:58,919 --> 00:03:02,800 Speaker 1: carass used to say before he left the NHL playoffs 54 00:03:02,840 --> 00:03:05,239 Speaker 1: in the bubble, he said, and nobody in the stands 55 00:03:05,280 --> 00:03:07,240 Speaker 1: just just feels like a scrimmage. I just can't get 56 00:03:07,240 --> 00:03:11,040 Speaker 1: motivated for it. I think that there is really something 57 00:03:11,120 --> 00:03:15,960 Speaker 1: to that, because having been at ash for some big matches, 58 00:03:16,320 --> 00:03:19,880 Speaker 1: I remember seeing a quarterfinals a few years ago, Serena 59 00:03:20,000 --> 00:03:25,800 Speaker 1: versus Venus. I mean it was electric nighttime tennis. You've 60 00:03:25,840 --> 00:03:29,960 Speaker 1: got people just going nuts. New Yorkers, as all of 61 00:03:30,040 --> 00:03:32,720 Speaker 1: us know, can get a little bit rowdy, and there 62 00:03:32,760 --> 00:03:36,080 Speaker 1: seems to be sort of special license at the US 63 00:03:36,160 --> 00:03:39,760 Speaker 1: Tennis Open to kind of prove that point over and 64 00:03:39,840 --> 00:03:43,160 Speaker 1: over again. And I think something's missing. I've been watching 65 00:03:43,200 --> 00:03:45,600 Speaker 1: it a lot on TV, and you know, they do 66 00:03:45,680 --> 00:03:49,200 Speaker 1: have some piped in noise, but when you're watching it, 67 00:03:49,360 --> 00:03:53,080 Speaker 1: even on television, you can see that that something is missing. 68 00:03:53,280 --> 00:03:57,720 Speaker 1: And also there are some top players missing, especially on 69 00:03:57,760 --> 00:04:01,680 Speaker 1: the men's side, and so it's very, very different, and guys, 70 00:04:01,720 --> 00:04:05,200 Speaker 1: it's also coming at a time where there are a 71 00:04:05,280 --> 00:04:09,840 Speaker 1: number of issues beyond the pandemic, the leading issue of 72 00:04:09,840 --> 00:04:13,080 Speaker 1: which is around social justice. And it's interesting later on 73 00:04:13,160 --> 00:04:15,600 Speaker 1: in the show, you're going to hear from Ken Solomon 74 00:04:15,760 --> 00:04:20,000 Speaker 1: and he reminds us about the history of tennis when 75 00:04:20,040 --> 00:04:22,920 Speaker 1: it comes to standing up for what's right, whether that's 76 00:04:22,920 --> 00:04:26,520 Speaker 1: Billy Jane King, whether it's Arthur Ash and so many more. 77 00:04:26,560 --> 00:04:30,960 Speaker 1: And there is a next generation coming up led by 78 00:04:31,080 --> 00:04:33,559 Speaker 1: Naomi Osaka, one of the top players in the world, 79 00:04:33,800 --> 00:04:37,560 Speaker 1: and recently she brought to light one of the victims 80 00:04:37,760 --> 00:04:42,240 Speaker 1: of violence whose name has not been talked about as much. 81 00:04:42,480 --> 00:04:45,520 Speaker 1: That's Elijah McClain. Check out what she had to say 82 00:04:45,560 --> 00:04:48,080 Speaker 1: for me. I think when I heard about his story. 83 00:04:48,640 --> 00:04:53,560 Speaker 1: It was very hurtful. I mean they're all very hurtful, 84 00:04:53,640 --> 00:04:56,640 Speaker 1: but just the fact, like the character and the way 85 00:04:56,640 --> 00:04:59,480 Speaker 1: that he was UM, and just to hear stories about 86 00:04:59,560 --> 00:05:03,560 Speaker 1: him UM, for me, it was very sad. And I 87 00:05:03,640 --> 00:05:07,640 Speaker 1: think that this was a bit different because no one 88 00:05:07,720 --> 00:05:11,120 Speaker 1: can really paint the narrative that Um, he was a 89 00:05:11,120 --> 00:05:14,880 Speaker 1: bad guy because they had, you know, so many stories 90 00:05:14,880 --> 00:05:18,400 Speaker 1: and so many like warmhearted things to say about him. 91 00:05:18,560 --> 00:05:23,200 Speaker 1: So I don't know, I feel like I still don't 92 00:05:23,200 --> 00:05:28,320 Speaker 1: think his name is very put out there UM compared 93 00:05:28,360 --> 00:05:31,480 Speaker 1: to like George Floyd or Brianna Taylor. So for me, 94 00:05:32,320 --> 00:05:34,680 Speaker 1: UM today was very special in the way that I 95 00:05:34,760 --> 00:05:38,960 Speaker 1: wanted to represent him very well. And then of course 96 00:05:39,080 --> 00:05:42,520 Speaker 1: is Naomi Osaka and Michael Barr. You brought that interview 97 00:05:42,640 --> 00:05:45,360 Speaker 1: to our attention. What do you make of social justice 98 00:05:45,400 --> 00:05:49,719 Speaker 1: when it comes to tennis? Well, she is right, Uh, 99 00:05:49,920 --> 00:05:54,160 Speaker 1: Alijah McClane's name kind of slipped under the radar, and 100 00:05:54,839 --> 00:05:58,040 Speaker 1: you asked me about tennis and about what it means 101 00:05:58,360 --> 00:06:02,640 Speaker 1: when another major sport is coming to the forefront when 102 00:06:02,720 --> 00:06:07,320 Speaker 1: it comes to uh talking about racial injustice, And I 103 00:06:07,320 --> 00:06:11,000 Speaker 1: think about when I heard that interview, the last words 104 00:06:11,080 --> 00:06:16,000 Speaker 1: that McLean said, according to the body cam uh from 105 00:06:16,040 --> 00:06:20,280 Speaker 1: the police, and it was to the effect of, oh, 106 00:06:20,400 --> 00:06:23,799 Speaker 1: I'm so sorry. I wasn't trying to do that or anything. 107 00:06:24,440 --> 00:06:28,800 Speaker 1: I just can't breathe correctly. And and then that was it. 108 00:06:28,920 --> 00:06:32,040 Speaker 1: And I won't mention the other part of it because 109 00:06:32,080 --> 00:06:36,920 Speaker 1: it really is sad, but I that young man died. 110 00:06:36,920 --> 00:06:42,120 Speaker 1: He was twenty three, died August in nineteen. So she 111 00:06:42,240 --> 00:06:45,839 Speaker 1: brought the name to the forefront. And it does feel, 112 00:06:45,880 --> 00:06:50,839 Speaker 1: like Lynchy that so many athletes across major sports, and 113 00:06:50,839 --> 00:06:55,440 Speaker 1: it's a good reminder that it's not just basketball, it's 114 00:06:55,560 --> 00:07:00,400 Speaker 1: not just other sports. Here and there we have seeing 115 00:07:00,520 --> 00:07:07,000 Speaker 1: something profound happen in professional sports, and it's something I 116 00:07:07,040 --> 00:07:11,120 Speaker 1: don't think we're going to soon forget. No, And I 117 00:07:11,160 --> 00:07:14,239 Speaker 1: think what's so impressive is like that, just that sound 118 00:07:14,240 --> 00:07:17,960 Speaker 1: bite right there. You know, if maybe two or three 119 00:07:18,000 --> 00:07:20,000 Speaker 1: years ago, she may not have had the courage to 120 00:07:20,080 --> 00:07:24,480 Speaker 1: speak out, but now because some of the leaders in 121 00:07:24,680 --> 00:07:28,400 Speaker 1: major sports have come out and spoken, and then some teammates, Okay, 122 00:07:28,440 --> 00:07:30,080 Speaker 1: if it's all right for him to do what, I guess, 123 00:07:30,120 --> 00:07:32,040 Speaker 1: it's all right for me to speak out too, because 124 00:07:32,280 --> 00:07:34,880 Speaker 1: I've been holding something in for quite some time, and 125 00:07:34,920 --> 00:07:37,320 Speaker 1: I want to speak and and I've used this phrase 126 00:07:37,320 --> 00:07:40,440 Speaker 1: a number of times, there's a difference between hearing what 127 00:07:40,760 --> 00:07:43,440 Speaker 1: someone is saying and listening to what someone is saying. 128 00:07:43,440 --> 00:07:45,280 Speaker 1: And I listened to every single word she just said. 129 00:07:46,320 --> 00:07:51,440 Speaker 1: And Naoma Osaka, I think, notably, has taken a leadership 130 00:07:51,560 --> 00:07:54,200 Speaker 1: role of late. She was the one on that Fateful 131 00:07:54,280 --> 00:07:58,280 Speaker 1: Day a couple of weeks ago when the Milwaukee Bucks 132 00:07:58,880 --> 00:08:04,240 Speaker 1: triggered and entire series of professional athletes standing down. It 133 00:08:04,280 --> 00:08:07,120 Speaker 1: was Naomi Osaka who said, I'm not going to play, 134 00:08:07,320 --> 00:08:12,080 Speaker 1: and that really helped catalyze again a very important moment. 135 00:08:12,240 --> 00:08:15,120 Speaker 1: So tennis continues to be at the forefront of this, 136 00:08:15,280 --> 00:08:19,720 Speaker 1: and tennis is the focus of today's Bloomberg Business of Sports. 137 00:08:19,720 --> 00:08:22,160 Speaker 1: We're gonna talk coming up with Ken Solomon. He's the 138 00:08:22,160 --> 00:08:24,280 Speaker 1: president of the Tennis Channel. He's going to talk to 139 00:08:24,360 --> 00:08:28,960 Speaker 1: us about the logistics of putting on a broadcast amidst 140 00:08:28,960 --> 00:08:32,560 Speaker 1: this pandemic and also about those issues of social justice 141 00:08:32,559 --> 00:08:35,240 Speaker 1: that have always been at the core of this sport. 142 00:08:35,679 --> 00:08:38,160 Speaker 1: So stay tuned for that conversation with Ken Solomon, the 143 00:08:38,160 --> 00:08:41,000 Speaker 1: president of the Tennis Channel. I'm Jason Kelly. Follow me 144 00:08:41,040 --> 00:08:44,040 Speaker 1: on Twitter. At Jason Kelly News and Mike Lynch. You 145 00:08:44,040 --> 00:08:46,440 Speaker 1: can follow me at Lynch e w CVB. You can 146 00:08:46,480 --> 00:08:49,960 Speaker 1: follow me on Twitter Michael Barr at Big Bar Sports, 147 00:08:50,000 --> 00:08:54,520 Speaker 1: and catch our Apple podcast on Monday's, Wednesdays and Thursday's. 148 00:08:54,720 --> 00:08:58,199 Speaker 1: Happy the Labor Day, everybody, you're listening to Bloomberg Business 149 00:08:58,200 --> 00:09:01,160 Speaker 1: of Sports from Bloomberg Radio around the world. Hello, I'm 150 00:09:01,240 --> 00:09:04,120 Speaker 1: Jason Kelly, and I'm Mike Lynch and I'm Michael Barn. 151 00:09:04,440 --> 00:09:07,040 Speaker 1: Welcome to a special Labor Day edition of the Business 152 00:09:07,080 --> 00:09:09,160 Speaker 1: of Sports. Over the next hour, we're going to explore 153 00:09:09,200 --> 00:09:12,000 Speaker 1: the big money issues in the world of tennis with 154 00:09:12,080 --> 00:09:15,480 Speaker 1: Ken Solomon, the president of the Tennis Channel. Ken, really 155 00:09:15,480 --> 00:09:19,000 Speaker 1: good to have you here. I so wish that I 156 00:09:19,080 --> 00:09:22,680 Speaker 1: was spending this Labor Day trying to chase you through 157 00:09:23,440 --> 00:09:29,640 Speaker 1: the compound, the complex, the place where it all happens 158 00:09:30,080 --> 00:09:33,120 Speaker 1: in Queens. I mean, that's what we're supposed to be doing, right. 159 00:09:33,200 --> 00:09:36,240 Speaker 1: What a year it is. It's like an obstacle course 160 00:09:36,320 --> 00:09:37,960 Speaker 1: most of the time. I mean, you have to go 161 00:09:38,000 --> 00:09:40,960 Speaker 1: into training just to duplicate what we're normally doing. We 162 00:09:41,040 --> 00:09:44,160 Speaker 1: cover more miles on the players, I think, don't we Yeah, 163 00:09:44,600 --> 00:09:48,600 Speaker 1: absolutely so. Tell us I mean to start like, how 164 00:09:48,600 --> 00:09:51,440 Speaker 1: have you been. How's the run up to all of 165 00:09:51,480 --> 00:09:54,640 Speaker 1: this ben for you and your team? Yeah, well, the 166 00:09:54,679 --> 00:09:57,560 Speaker 1: good news is someone said in early March when Indian 167 00:09:57,600 --> 00:10:00,920 Speaker 1: Wells was canceled, uh, in the course of twenty four hours. 168 00:10:00,960 --> 00:10:02,880 Speaker 1: And I think really in the way it started this 169 00:10:02,960 --> 00:10:05,280 Speaker 1: all off, it was, you know, the first week in March, 170 00:10:05,360 --> 00:10:07,600 Speaker 1: March eighth to the exact, and it was a sort 171 00:10:07,600 --> 00:10:10,319 Speaker 1: of a twenty four hour decision and the world was shot. 172 00:10:11,040 --> 00:10:12,920 Speaker 1: Someone that well, you guys are built for this, and 173 00:10:13,000 --> 00:10:16,760 Speaker 1: we are because tennis always throws curveballs at you, whether 174 00:10:16,800 --> 00:10:20,880 Speaker 1: it's massive heat or political unrest or or you know, 175 00:10:21,160 --> 00:10:25,160 Speaker 1: rain delays, whatever it is, there's always something and um, 176 00:10:25,240 --> 00:10:27,680 Speaker 1: so we are built to build the suit to fit. 177 00:10:27,840 --> 00:10:30,600 Speaker 1: This one's been a little crazy, but the run up 178 00:10:30,640 --> 00:10:34,560 Speaker 1: has been, you know, for the most parts, um, pretty good. 179 00:10:34,559 --> 00:10:37,400 Speaker 1: We've ridden the Bronco and just tried to take care 180 00:10:37,440 --> 00:10:39,960 Speaker 1: of the tennis stands and the tennis world and also 181 00:10:40,040 --> 00:10:42,480 Speaker 1: just tell stories over the course of the whole thing. 182 00:10:42,480 --> 00:10:45,720 Speaker 1: We stayed on live all the way through um but 183 00:10:45,840 --> 00:10:49,000 Speaker 1: really from right after that moment through May and then 184 00:10:49,040 --> 00:10:52,080 Speaker 1: starting in May, you know, we started the reopen Tour. 185 00:10:52,160 --> 00:10:55,280 Speaker 1: There were these regional events with a good portion of 186 00:10:55,280 --> 00:10:58,280 Speaker 1: the folks that are playing in the Open just playing 187 00:10:58,280 --> 00:11:00,520 Speaker 1: in their regional areas, whether it was in Europe or 188 00:11:00,800 --> 00:11:03,040 Speaker 1: or in the US. I'm a I'm a sort of 189 00:11:03,120 --> 00:11:06,640 Speaker 1: eastern or Western coast. We had we started May one 190 00:11:06,840 --> 00:11:09,520 Speaker 1: in West Palm Beach, but we also had stuff going 191 00:11:09,559 --> 00:11:13,120 Speaker 1: on in Germany and then California and all over Europe. 192 00:11:13,640 --> 00:11:16,720 Speaker 1: And you know, it went off pretty much without a hitch, 193 00:11:16,720 --> 00:11:20,080 Speaker 1: and we were able to from May through really Lexington 194 00:11:20,640 --> 00:11:24,240 Speaker 1: keep people entertained with the top flight and tennis. So 195 00:11:24,320 --> 00:11:27,560 Speaker 1: we've been running the drill getting ready for the Open. 196 00:11:28,640 --> 00:11:31,559 Speaker 1: Never mind of riding a bronco. You guys have been 197 00:11:31,679 --> 00:11:34,559 Speaker 1: riding a bull and a mean one in the COVID 198 00:11:34,679 --> 00:11:39,480 Speaker 1: nineteen crisis. Oh my goodness. I I can't the good 199 00:11:39,520 --> 00:11:43,280 Speaker 1: thing about this in tennis and maybe for other sports 200 00:11:43,320 --> 00:11:46,200 Speaker 1: as well. As long as you have a product, as 201 00:11:46,200 --> 00:11:48,839 Speaker 1: long as you have them out there on the court playing. 202 00:11:49,120 --> 00:11:51,800 Speaker 1: I'm very sorry that there aren't any fans in the stands, 203 00:11:52,200 --> 00:11:55,240 Speaker 1: but at least you have our product to show. That's right. 204 00:11:55,400 --> 00:11:59,319 Speaker 1: And uh, you know, tennis's whole ilk and gestalt, and 205 00:11:59,480 --> 00:12:02,600 Speaker 1: some people say is that it's your solitary, right. It's 206 00:12:02,600 --> 00:12:05,320 Speaker 1: what we talk about when we're covering what's going on 207 00:12:05,360 --> 00:12:07,080 Speaker 1: in someone's head and how they handle it. And you've 208 00:12:07,080 --> 00:12:09,200 Speaker 1: got a next between you and your competitor. And the 209 00:12:09,200 --> 00:12:12,240 Speaker 1: protocols have held up pretty much across the world, So 210 00:12:13,000 --> 00:12:16,640 Speaker 1: this is people were wondering what would happen, and it 211 00:12:16,679 --> 00:12:19,640 Speaker 1: was much more related to travel and getting to the event, 212 00:12:20,320 --> 00:12:23,800 Speaker 1: um than actually engineering the event. And obviously you guys 213 00:12:23,800 --> 00:12:25,319 Speaker 1: have talked about it, but the U. S t A 214 00:12:25,360 --> 00:12:28,760 Speaker 1: has done a fantastic job with protocols. They're serious, the 215 00:12:28,880 --> 00:12:31,920 Speaker 1: players are serious. They've seen once or twice what happens 216 00:12:31,960 --> 00:12:33,599 Speaker 1: with a slip up. So we got that out of 217 00:12:33,640 --> 00:12:36,959 Speaker 1: the way in the dress rehearsal, and you know, it's 218 00:12:37,000 --> 00:12:40,160 Speaker 1: it's different, but it's always different. I remember Jimmy Conner 219 00:12:40,240 --> 00:12:41,800 Speaker 1: sitting in the booth with us the first year we 220 00:12:41,800 --> 00:12:43,920 Speaker 1: were doing this and O nine where we had real, 221 00:12:44,040 --> 00:12:48,800 Speaker 1: full live coverage and saying, you know, it doesn't matter 222 00:12:48,840 --> 00:12:51,960 Speaker 1: what's going on out there, because both players have to 223 00:12:52,000 --> 00:12:54,800 Speaker 1: deal with it. Whether it's swirling wind on ash or 224 00:12:54,920 --> 00:12:58,240 Speaker 1: or again you brain delays or any of the other obstacles. 225 00:12:58,240 --> 00:13:00,880 Speaker 1: It's the same for both players, and that's tennis is about. 226 00:13:02,280 --> 00:13:04,760 Speaker 1: Can take me through the logistics now as opposed to 227 00:13:04,960 --> 00:13:07,680 Speaker 1: a normal year, how many people are allowed on site? 228 00:13:07,720 --> 00:13:09,600 Speaker 1: And I know you have a studio show coming out 229 00:13:09,600 --> 00:13:12,920 Speaker 1: of Los Angeles. Yeah, well the good news is that 230 00:13:13,080 --> 00:13:15,840 Speaker 1: again we're used to sort of producing from all over 231 00:13:15,880 --> 00:13:21,240 Speaker 1: the world simultaneously with different um arrangements. Whether it's you know, 232 00:13:21,320 --> 00:13:24,000 Speaker 1: normally we'd have hundreds of people on the grounds. You're 233 00:13:24,000 --> 00:13:27,559 Speaker 1: gonna hold hold onto your horses. We've got one. So 234 00:13:27,640 --> 00:13:30,840 Speaker 1: we've got the best announcers in the in the you know, 235 00:13:30,960 --> 00:13:34,520 Speaker 1: I think little chauvinistic, but Jim Kerr, Martina never Tolove, 236 00:13:34,559 --> 00:13:37,320 Speaker 1: but Lindsay daven Ford, plus all of our you know, 237 00:13:37,840 --> 00:13:42,920 Speaker 1: Paul anicone, John Worth time, they're all many in California 238 00:13:43,120 --> 00:13:47,880 Speaker 1: at our big home studio UM where matches are coming 239 00:13:47,920 --> 00:13:50,800 Speaker 1: in in live real time. And then we've got a 240 00:13:50,800 --> 00:13:53,200 Speaker 1: couple at home. Martina is doing it from home and 241 00:13:53,720 --> 00:13:57,760 Speaker 1: uh and actually Lindsay's out in l a as well. Uh, 242 00:13:57,800 --> 00:14:00,400 Speaker 1: so we've got actually one person on the ground. But 243 00:14:00,440 --> 00:14:04,679 Speaker 1: the beauty is the shots are the same coming out 244 00:14:04,720 --> 00:14:07,600 Speaker 1: of the camera and whether it's going to a truck 245 00:14:07,679 --> 00:14:10,400 Speaker 1: on the grounds or whether it's going in real time 246 00:14:10,480 --> 00:14:14,920 Speaker 1: to our metaphoric truck to our master control or sorry, 247 00:14:14,960 --> 00:14:17,920 Speaker 1: to our control room in l A actually doesn't make 248 00:14:18,000 --> 00:14:20,200 Speaker 1: much of a difference anymore. Time and space are kind 249 00:14:20,200 --> 00:14:22,560 Speaker 1: of picking out of the equation, so it's not the 250 00:14:22,600 --> 00:14:24,800 Speaker 1: same as being there. It's it's not the same to 251 00:14:24,840 --> 00:14:28,440 Speaker 1: get that kinetic field. But for in terms of a 252 00:14:28,520 --> 00:14:31,680 Speaker 1: product and for the customer, you know, it's it's it's 253 00:14:31,760 --> 00:14:34,800 Speaker 1: first class and it's pretty seamless. There's not much of 254 00:14:34,800 --> 00:14:37,680 Speaker 1: a difference. Right. We're going to continue our conversation with 255 00:14:37,760 --> 00:14:40,520 Speaker 1: Ken Solomon, president of the Tennis Channel. In the meantime. 256 00:14:40,520 --> 00:14:43,040 Speaker 1: You can follow me on Twitter. I'm Jason Kelly at 257 00:14:43,120 --> 00:14:46,080 Speaker 1: Jason Kelly News, and I'm Mike Lynch. You can follow 258 00:14:46,120 --> 00:14:48,960 Speaker 1: me at Lynch w CVV, and I'm Michael barn you 259 00:14:48,960 --> 00:14:51,800 Speaker 1: can follow me at Big Bar Sports. We're here every 260 00:14:51,880 --> 00:14:55,480 Speaker 1: week this time. Catch our Apple podcast on Monday's, Wednesdays 261 00:14:55,480 --> 00:14:58,760 Speaker 1: and Thursdays. You're listening to Bloomberg Business of Sports from 262 00:14:58,760 --> 00:15:01,640 Speaker 1: Bloomberg Radio or in the world. Thank you so much 263 00:15:01,640 --> 00:15:03,480 Speaker 1: for joining us. We're here each and every week for 264 00:15:03,520 --> 00:15:05,440 Speaker 1: you at the same time talking to the biggest names 265 00:15:05,480 --> 00:15:08,080 Speaker 1: in sports. I'm Jason Kelly along with Mike Lynch and 266 00:15:08,200 --> 00:15:11,360 Speaker 1: Michael Barr. Today we're delighted to be speaking with Ken Solomon, 267 00:15:11,720 --> 00:15:16,080 Speaker 1: president of the Tennis Channel. So I have to ask you, Ken, 268 00:15:16,160 --> 00:15:20,800 Speaker 1: from a business perspective, the Open is kind of a 269 00:15:20,800 --> 00:15:22,640 Speaker 1: big deal for you. I have seen you, as I 270 00:15:22,720 --> 00:15:24,880 Speaker 1: joked at the top of the show in action, you 271 00:15:24,920 --> 00:15:27,720 Speaker 1: are a whirling dervish, to say the least, because you've 272 00:15:27,760 --> 00:15:30,560 Speaker 1: got a broadcast going on, but you're also doing a 273 00:15:30,640 --> 00:15:33,920 Speaker 1: huge amount of business. It's kind of the super Bowl 274 00:15:33,960 --> 00:15:36,960 Speaker 1: for you, right, it really is. I mean, you know, 275 00:15:37,120 --> 00:15:40,800 Speaker 1: people forget that the the Open for someone like us 276 00:15:41,000 --> 00:15:43,280 Speaker 1: is I'm not sure there is anyone quite like us 277 00:15:43,280 --> 00:15:46,440 Speaker 1: who's dedicated on all platforms all the time to the sport. 278 00:15:47,000 --> 00:15:50,520 Speaker 1: But everyone's there. You know. It's a place where the 279 00:15:50,560 --> 00:15:54,240 Speaker 1: world comes together for really three weeks a year, um, 280 00:15:54,360 --> 00:15:56,800 Speaker 1: and so you're in the center of the universe, and 281 00:15:56,880 --> 00:15:59,760 Speaker 1: we've kind of got a virtual bubble going not quite 282 00:16:00,080 --> 00:16:03,160 Speaker 1: really the way we do now, um whenever the Open 283 00:16:03,320 --> 00:16:07,080 Speaker 1: is on. So it it's it's huge. All the stakeholders 284 00:16:07,080 --> 00:16:09,320 Speaker 1: in the game are there, all the tournaments from all 285 00:16:09,320 --> 00:16:12,880 Speaker 1: over the world. Really the tennis Royalty. The legends are 286 00:16:12,920 --> 00:16:15,840 Speaker 1: there very often with the International Tennis Hall of Fame, 287 00:16:16,400 --> 00:16:18,680 Speaker 1: and so you know, you don't have to go any 288 00:16:18,720 --> 00:16:23,560 Speaker 1: further than Flushing and sometimes Manhattan to find the entire sport. Well, 289 00:16:23,640 --> 00:16:26,240 Speaker 1: one thing that is great for you guys. You guys 290 00:16:26,320 --> 00:16:30,280 Speaker 1: went global and may you guys are in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, 291 00:16:30,400 --> 00:16:34,280 Speaker 1: bug Tustle, Tennessee. Made that one up. But you guys 292 00:16:34,560 --> 00:16:37,400 Speaker 1: are all over the place and it's a great thing 293 00:16:37,440 --> 00:16:42,280 Speaker 1: for you guys. Well, yes, it's thanks Mike, it's it's um. 294 00:16:42,360 --> 00:16:44,680 Speaker 1: We have for a long time been asked when are 295 00:16:44,720 --> 00:16:47,520 Speaker 1: you going to do this internationally? Because the real thing 296 00:16:47,560 --> 00:16:50,080 Speaker 1: that we were able to do for the sport and 297 00:16:50,160 --> 00:16:53,360 Speaker 1: for the fan and and all those associated is to 298 00:16:53,480 --> 00:16:56,880 Speaker 1: bring it to one destination. Because tennis is a many 299 00:16:56,960 --> 00:16:59,880 Speaker 1: splendord kind of octopus of a sport. Right You've got 300 00:17:00,040 --> 00:17:03,400 Speaker 1: multiple tours, multiple events going on at the same time 301 00:17:03,440 --> 00:17:06,040 Speaker 1: all over the world, and it's hard to follow. And 302 00:17:06,400 --> 00:17:09,480 Speaker 1: you know the idea of having a central repository where 303 00:17:09,520 --> 00:17:14,040 Speaker 1: the best matches information, hopefully the original product that we're creating, 304 00:17:14,080 --> 00:17:16,640 Speaker 1: whether it's movies like Strokes of Genius or whether it's 305 00:17:16,680 --> 00:17:21,240 Speaker 1: these great pieces on what's happening in the sport Tennis 306 00:17:21,320 --> 00:17:24,719 Speaker 1: magazine all are in one place and so that you 307 00:17:24,760 --> 00:17:29,679 Speaker 1: can find out the continuum and the whole patchwork of 308 00:17:29,720 --> 00:17:31,639 Speaker 1: the sport that's going on all over the world in 309 00:17:31,640 --> 00:17:35,520 Speaker 1: one place. Otherwise they're chasing it around. And that made sense, 310 00:17:35,560 --> 00:17:37,639 Speaker 1: not just here but around the world. A little harder 311 00:17:37,680 --> 00:17:40,040 Speaker 1: to put together around the world, and so it's taken 312 00:17:40,080 --> 00:17:44,680 Speaker 1: us a while. The launched in in uh in Germany 313 00:17:44,920 --> 00:17:47,760 Speaker 1: with Tennis Channel International Deutschland, which is sort of the 314 00:17:47,760 --> 00:17:51,560 Speaker 1: prototype for what we plan on doing around the world. 315 00:17:51,560 --> 00:17:54,639 Speaker 1: And the idea is that it's as if that channel 316 00:17:54,760 --> 00:17:58,919 Speaker 1: was made there. So for the region, now have the 317 00:17:59,000 --> 00:18:02,120 Speaker 1: German version of Tennis Channel, and each one will be 318 00:18:02,840 --> 00:18:06,600 Speaker 1: tailor fit for that region and it will open to 319 00:18:06,640 --> 00:18:11,159 Speaker 1: wherever you are when you become a subscriber and as 320 00:18:11,200 --> 00:18:15,680 Speaker 1: a very low entry fee. We work with UM, the 321 00:18:15,680 --> 00:18:20,600 Speaker 1: the the indigenous UM governing bodies, so the equivalent of 322 00:18:20,640 --> 00:18:22,639 Speaker 1: the U S t A in this case that you 323 00:18:22,640 --> 00:18:28,040 Speaker 1: know Tennis Deutsch LND and and and and they instantly 324 00:18:28,119 --> 00:18:30,600 Speaker 1: the fans instantly know where to go. And it has 325 00:18:30,640 --> 00:18:32,840 Speaker 1: been going great better than we expected. I mean, the 326 00:18:33,440 --> 00:18:35,879 Speaker 1: pandemic didn't slow us down. In fact, as you guys 327 00:18:36,119 --> 00:18:38,040 Speaker 1: well know, because you've been doing so well, I've been 328 00:18:38,080 --> 00:18:41,359 Speaker 1: looking at the numbers that the traffic has been bigger 329 00:18:41,400 --> 00:18:44,040 Speaker 1: than probably we expected. It came out with a bullet. 330 00:18:44,080 --> 00:18:47,280 Speaker 1: We've had thousands of people sign up and they are 331 00:18:47,359 --> 00:18:50,679 Speaker 1: now monthly subscribers, and you know, then we pushed to 332 00:18:50,680 --> 00:18:52,919 Speaker 1: the local whatever is going on that we don't have, 333 00:18:53,080 --> 00:18:55,840 Speaker 1: we tell them. So it's really been spectacular and it's 334 00:18:55,840 --> 00:18:59,320 Speaker 1: a model that will, like us here, bring the all 335 00:18:59,359 --> 00:19:02,280 Speaker 1: the different stakeholders in the tennis world together who have 336 00:19:02,400 --> 00:19:05,000 Speaker 1: content to share it to one place. And that's just 337 00:19:05,160 --> 00:19:08,159 Speaker 1: kind of been a crazy mixed up media world with 338 00:19:08,240 --> 00:19:10,679 Speaker 1: unlimited choices is a very good thing. Just like they 339 00:19:10,720 --> 00:19:13,040 Speaker 1: know to go to Bloomberg's for all of their you know, 340 00:19:13,119 --> 00:19:17,960 Speaker 1: all the information whether in sports or money or you know, 341 00:19:18,000 --> 00:19:20,320 Speaker 1: how to manage how to you know what's going on 342 00:19:20,320 --> 00:19:24,040 Speaker 1: on Wall Street ken When when all the other sports 343 00:19:24,040 --> 00:19:26,560 Speaker 1: had their restart, when the p GA gaul started up, 344 00:19:26,600 --> 00:19:29,159 Speaker 1: when the basketball and hockey and baseball started up, the 345 00:19:29,840 --> 00:19:33,560 Speaker 1: just out of curiosity or just being denied for so long, uh, 346 00:19:33,600 --> 00:19:36,840 Speaker 1: the interests in the ratings were pretty much off the 347 00:19:36,920 --> 00:19:38,920 Speaker 1: chart just to start Are you finding the same thing 348 00:19:38,920 --> 00:19:42,440 Speaker 1: now with your restart in tennis? Yeah, although again we've 349 00:19:42,480 --> 00:19:46,160 Speaker 1: had sort of we we were blessed and lucky enough 350 00:19:46,200 --> 00:19:50,000 Speaker 1: to have almost several different restarts, right, not going off 351 00:19:50,040 --> 00:19:52,160 Speaker 1: just with a live show with you know, the top 352 00:19:52,160 --> 00:19:54,200 Speaker 1: players in the world calling in, which isn't the same 353 00:19:54,240 --> 00:19:57,719 Speaker 1: as coverage, but then starting the coverage in May and 354 00:19:57,720 --> 00:20:01,520 Speaker 1: and and building back from you know, initially a four 355 00:20:02,200 --> 00:20:06,120 Speaker 1: man and then a four female competitor sort of round 356 00:20:06,240 --> 00:20:10,359 Speaker 1: robin where were the protocols were extraordinarily tight because no 357 00:20:10,400 --> 00:20:13,760 Speaker 1: one knew what we were doing up through Charleston, which 358 00:20:13,800 --> 00:20:16,119 Speaker 1: was really another bell Weather where all of a sudden boom. 359 00:20:16,119 --> 00:20:19,600 Speaker 1: We were doing bigger numbers with the Charleston event that 360 00:20:19,720 --> 00:20:24,439 Speaker 1: we did there, uh, with sixteen top female competitors including 361 00:20:24,440 --> 00:20:27,479 Speaker 1: I think four Grand Slam winners. Um, we were doing 362 00:20:27,520 --> 00:20:29,920 Speaker 1: bigger numbers, and we did last year with the regular tour, 363 00:20:30,080 --> 00:20:32,919 Speaker 1: so we we were able to prime the pump and 364 00:20:33,080 --> 00:20:35,679 Speaker 1: keep the fans excited. It was much more of a 365 00:20:35,760 --> 00:20:38,880 Speaker 1: smooth ramp than just a zero to sixty. And by 366 00:20:38,880 --> 00:20:41,000 Speaker 1: the time we got to Lexington, which was the first 367 00:20:41,040 --> 00:20:45,359 Speaker 1: sanctioned event on US soil, although we were doing Palermo 368 00:20:45,480 --> 00:20:47,600 Speaker 1: and and and and all of the w t A 369 00:20:47,680 --> 00:20:50,159 Speaker 1: and A TP events around the world. When we hit 370 00:20:50,240 --> 00:20:53,479 Speaker 1: Lexington and we had Venus, Serena Coco and you know, 371 00:20:53,520 --> 00:20:56,840 Speaker 1: all the top players, female players, many most of them, 372 00:20:56,960 --> 00:21:00,200 Speaker 1: many of them. Um we you know, the numbers only 373 00:21:00,320 --> 00:21:03,119 Speaker 1: blew up in Lexington and they've been you know, super 374 00:21:03,160 --> 00:21:07,280 Speaker 1: super strong through Cincinnati, in Flushing and now of course 375 00:21:07,320 --> 00:21:10,680 Speaker 1: at the Open. The demand, the pent up demand has 376 00:21:10,880 --> 00:21:14,720 Speaker 1: has absolutely created a tidal wave and you know we've come. 377 00:21:16,440 --> 00:21:18,840 Speaker 1: You've got to credit again the U s t A 378 00:21:18,960 --> 00:21:22,360 Speaker 1: and the entire tennis world for being ready to do 379 00:21:22,440 --> 00:21:26,159 Speaker 1: this where people expected at coming into this uh you know, 380 00:21:26,240 --> 00:21:29,280 Speaker 1: this holiday weekend and kind of feeling like home, and 381 00:21:29,320 --> 00:21:32,560 Speaker 1: it's really allowed the sport to open up to full 382 00:21:32,600 --> 00:21:35,800 Speaker 1: bloom very very quickly. Stay tuned for more of our 383 00:21:35,800 --> 00:21:38,760 Speaker 1: conversation with Ken Solomon, president of the Tennis Channel that's 384 00:21:38,760 --> 00:21:41,840 Speaker 1: straight ahead on Bloomberg Business of Sports. I'm Jason Kelly. 385 00:21:41,840 --> 00:21:44,840 Speaker 1: Find me on Twitter at Jason Kelly News, Mike Lynch, 386 00:21:44,920 --> 00:21:47,600 Speaker 1: you can follow me at Lynch w CPB, and I'm 387 00:21:47,600 --> 00:21:50,760 Speaker 1: Michael Blar on Twitter at Big Bar Sports and download 388 00:21:50,800 --> 00:21:52,800 Speaker 1: the show to hear even more of this interview, our 389 00:21:52,920 --> 00:21:56,200 Speaker 1: extended version catch that wherever you get your podcasts. Thank 390 00:21:56,200 --> 00:21:57,760 Speaker 1: you so much for joining us. We're here each and 391 00:21:57,800 --> 00:21:59,919 Speaker 1: every week for you. At the same time talking to 392 00:22:00,080 --> 00:22:03,280 Speaker 1: the biggest names in sports today. It's a special edition, 393 00:22:03,280 --> 00:22:06,720 Speaker 1: a Labor Day addition, and we're talking with Ken Solomon, 394 00:22:06,800 --> 00:22:09,760 Speaker 1: the president of the Tennis Channel. So can I have 395 00:22:09,920 --> 00:22:16,240 Speaker 1: to ask you pandemic? Notwithstanding this summer has been very 396 00:22:16,320 --> 00:22:21,239 Speaker 1: different for some other reasons, some serious reasons related to 397 00:22:21,320 --> 00:22:26,960 Speaker 1: social justice. How have you taken that on, especially as 398 00:22:27,080 --> 00:22:30,439 Speaker 1: tennis players have really stepped to the four as so 399 00:22:30,520 --> 00:22:35,320 Speaker 1: many other athletes have to express their views and express 400 00:22:35,400 --> 00:22:39,480 Speaker 1: themselves in a way that maybe they hadn't before. Well, 401 00:22:39,520 --> 00:22:42,000 Speaker 1: I'm glad you asked, Uh it is you know, if 402 00:22:42,000 --> 00:22:45,320 Speaker 1: you look, we consider ourselves a mission based brand to 403 00:22:45,400 --> 00:22:47,679 Speaker 1: begin with, we sort of mirror the sport, and the 404 00:22:47,760 --> 00:22:50,679 Speaker 1: lineage and history of tennis is one where you've always 405 00:22:50,720 --> 00:22:56,199 Speaker 1: had social leadership that goes far outside the lines. Um. Obviously, 406 00:22:56,280 --> 00:22:59,400 Speaker 1: Billy Jean King, Arthur Ash, I'll see a Gibson, so 407 00:22:59,440 --> 00:23:02,560 Speaker 1: many more, Whirlwind Johnson that it's a longer list than 408 00:23:02,600 --> 00:23:05,840 Speaker 1: most people know. UM, and even the breakthroughs with the 409 00:23:05,840 --> 00:23:10,040 Speaker 1: barn Stormers in terms of equality of allowing professional players 410 00:23:10,040 --> 00:23:11,960 Speaker 1: to be paid, and the and the battles that they 411 00:23:11,960 --> 00:23:13,800 Speaker 1: had to fight. We made a film about that that 412 00:23:13,960 --> 00:23:17,879 Speaker 1: Robert Redford narrated Um, which is a uniquely sort of 413 00:23:17,920 --> 00:23:22,680 Speaker 1: tennis based story. In this particular case, we have been 414 00:23:22,720 --> 00:23:26,000 Speaker 1: there every single day live, as we've discussed earlier, and 415 00:23:26,080 --> 00:23:33,200 Speaker 1: so as you saw the movement for you know, racial equality, 416 00:23:33,760 --> 00:23:38,880 Speaker 1: for the Black lives matter, for of you know, against 417 00:23:38,920 --> 00:23:44,399 Speaker 1: injustice of all sorts, you naturally saw players step into 418 00:23:44,440 --> 00:23:47,359 Speaker 1: that role. Obviously some of the ones that have been 419 00:23:47,440 --> 00:23:50,600 Speaker 1: most visible were Coco in Delray Beach and on a 420 00:23:50,680 --> 00:23:54,480 Speaker 1: continuing basis Um and you look at her and her 421 00:23:54,800 --> 00:23:57,960 Speaker 1: sort of aware situational awareness of the world at such 422 00:23:58,000 --> 00:24:01,320 Speaker 1: a young age. It's it's remarkable. Right next to her, 423 00:24:01,400 --> 00:24:07,000 Speaker 1: Naomi osaka Um stepping not just into the winner's circle, 424 00:24:07,160 --> 00:24:11,280 Speaker 1: you know, at the open um, but now really being 425 00:24:11,600 --> 00:24:15,240 Speaker 1: someone who has obviously made a huge impact, you know, 426 00:24:15,320 --> 00:24:19,600 Speaker 1: culminating just a last week with you know, her decision 427 00:24:19,640 --> 00:24:24,679 Speaker 1: to to stand down for the semifinals in Cincinnati and 428 00:24:24,680 --> 00:24:27,320 Speaker 1: then having the entire sport back her up and follow it. 429 00:24:27,320 --> 00:24:31,240 Speaker 1: It's Francis Tiafo um with his rackets down, you know, 430 00:24:31,480 --> 00:24:34,399 Speaker 1: stand up video and it just it has been and 431 00:24:34,400 --> 00:24:37,840 Speaker 1: those are just several So we couldn't be more proud 432 00:24:37,920 --> 00:24:42,800 Speaker 1: to be right there amplifying and portraying those stories. People 433 00:24:42,880 --> 00:24:45,840 Speaker 1: know where to go and when we get them if 434 00:24:46,160 --> 00:24:50,879 Speaker 1: other places in the world want that the full context 435 00:24:51,000 --> 00:24:54,480 Speaker 1: were there the cover of Tennis Magazine, which is our 436 00:24:54,560 --> 00:24:58,200 Speaker 1: sister publication, uh Ed mcgrogan, the publisher, is the cover 437 00:24:58,440 --> 00:25:02,200 Speaker 1: is is A is A is a fist of female 438 00:25:02,240 --> 00:25:06,320 Speaker 1: fist because tennis has also always been about gender neutrality 439 00:25:06,359 --> 00:25:09,720 Speaker 1: and gender equality. Um, some people think it's Serena, so 440 00:25:09,840 --> 00:25:12,280 Speaker 1: it happens to be Coco's fist, right, and it's a 441 00:25:12,320 --> 00:25:15,960 Speaker 1: It's a very powerful moment, and the issue is dedicated 442 00:25:16,359 --> 00:25:20,560 Speaker 1: to the issues of the tennis really as thousands right 443 00:25:20,760 --> 00:25:25,560 Speaker 1: about fairness overall. And you know, again, you don't have 444 00:25:25,640 --> 00:25:29,160 Speaker 1: to look any further than this tournament named for Billy 445 00:25:29,280 --> 00:25:32,760 Speaker 1: Jane King on the grounds and Arthur ash Stadium and 446 00:25:32,840 --> 00:25:35,880 Speaker 1: the great statue of Alfea Gibson that was unveiled last 447 00:25:35,960 --> 00:25:40,640 Speaker 1: year to say that these young players have naturally stepped 448 00:25:40,680 --> 00:25:44,520 Speaker 1: into the leadership position of carrying that torch and there's 449 00:25:44,600 --> 00:25:47,600 Speaker 1: real social change going on and there at the forefront, 450 00:25:48,040 --> 00:25:50,480 Speaker 1: and their courage on the court and the way that 451 00:25:50,520 --> 00:25:53,680 Speaker 1: they conduct themselves naturally lends themselves to doing what they 452 00:25:53,720 --> 00:25:56,800 Speaker 1: believe is right off the court, and we couldn't be 453 00:25:56,840 --> 00:26:00,159 Speaker 1: more proud. And we're right behind them, uh if not 454 00:26:00,240 --> 00:26:03,480 Speaker 1: trying to help lead in bringing those stories. It's it's 455 00:26:03,560 --> 00:26:06,960 Speaker 1: all about what tennis has always been about, not just 456 00:26:07,080 --> 00:26:09,719 Speaker 1: here but all over the world. Don't want to expand 457 00:26:09,720 --> 00:26:14,600 Speaker 1: more about the younger players versus the older players. Right now, 458 00:26:14,680 --> 00:26:17,359 Speaker 1: we're in a pocket because we know who Naomi Osaki 459 00:26:17,440 --> 00:26:20,639 Speaker 1: is now, and we know Cocoa Golf. We know those players. 460 00:26:20,720 --> 00:26:23,960 Speaker 1: So you have a pocket now where you have a 461 00:26:24,160 --> 00:26:27,280 Speaker 1: wider demographic of an audience where okay, we know the 462 00:26:27,320 --> 00:26:30,359 Speaker 1: Serena we we know the Williams sisters, and we know 463 00:26:30,480 --> 00:26:34,040 Speaker 1: the younger ones and now you have that confluence coming 464 00:26:34,040 --> 00:26:38,320 Speaker 1: together to watch tennis. Same thing on the men's side, 465 00:26:38,359 --> 00:26:42,440 Speaker 1: you know, you're seeing this great crop of young players 466 00:26:42,480 --> 00:26:45,120 Speaker 1: and even younger in some cases. You know what, francis 467 00:26:45,160 --> 00:26:48,000 Speaker 1: still pretty much a kid, right But obviously on the 468 00:26:48,000 --> 00:26:50,800 Speaker 1: men's side, up and down the line, the zaveras and 469 00:26:50,840 --> 00:26:55,040 Speaker 1: the pass and the team's um. You know, right up 470 00:26:55,320 --> 00:26:59,199 Speaker 1: to these majors, giving the big three or four guys 471 00:26:59,520 --> 00:27:02,360 Speaker 1: a real run over the last several years, and it's 472 00:27:02,359 --> 00:27:05,720 Speaker 1: a real passing of the torch um. It's it's wonderful 473 00:27:05,760 --> 00:27:09,120 Speaker 1: and you know, guys, it can happen so quickly. It 474 00:27:09,240 --> 00:27:14,200 Speaker 1: was one match I would contend at Wimbledon where Cocoa 475 00:27:14,240 --> 00:27:17,800 Speaker 1: Goff stepped as a you know, after winning after being 476 00:27:17,840 --> 00:27:21,800 Speaker 1: a wild card into the you know, the qualities at 477 00:27:21,800 --> 00:27:24,760 Speaker 1: Wimbledon at the All England Club last year, and then 478 00:27:25,240 --> 00:27:29,000 Speaker 1: winning that and having of all things, her first match 479 00:27:29,240 --> 00:27:33,480 Speaker 1: against Venus Williams, and when she beat Venus in that 480 00:27:33,560 --> 00:27:37,000 Speaker 1: first round match at the All England Club, she was 481 00:27:37,040 --> 00:27:41,200 Speaker 1: an instantaneous worldwide superstar fifteen. She then won two more 482 00:27:41,320 --> 00:27:44,680 Speaker 1: rounds and almost when I was there on center court, 483 00:27:44,800 --> 00:27:48,840 Speaker 1: front row, she was down a set and two breaks 484 00:27:49,520 --> 00:27:52,600 Speaker 1: and came back one the second set and won the 485 00:27:52,680 --> 00:27:55,200 Speaker 1: third set in a nail bier. And by the end 486 00:27:55,200 --> 00:27:58,080 Speaker 1: of that tournament, now here is people are seeing a 487 00:27:58,160 --> 00:28:01,480 Speaker 1: superstar being born. I'm looking at her, folks and seeing 488 00:28:01,520 --> 00:28:04,120 Speaker 1: them saying, that's my ninth grader. I gotta make sure 489 00:28:04,160 --> 00:28:06,480 Speaker 1: she's in bed by ten. You know, these are the 490 00:28:06,520 --> 00:28:09,040 Speaker 1: stories that make ten is so special, and you know, 491 00:28:09,119 --> 00:28:11,720 Speaker 1: it harkens back to our own trade the Austin you know, 492 00:28:11,800 --> 00:28:15,119 Speaker 1: at the tender young age taking on Chrissie and Martina 493 00:28:15,280 --> 00:28:18,320 Speaker 1: at the time and Billy and and um. You know, 494 00:28:18,440 --> 00:28:20,640 Speaker 1: that is the lineage of this game. And every time 495 00:28:20,680 --> 00:28:23,520 Speaker 1: you think you gotta be, you know, in your thirties now, 496 00:28:23,600 --> 00:28:25,840 Speaker 1: because you have to be a more complete player, and 497 00:28:25,880 --> 00:28:28,919 Speaker 1: we're seeing you know, the emergence of players into the 498 00:28:28,920 --> 00:28:33,840 Speaker 1: top top rank later you're also seeing these great young players, um, 499 00:28:33,880 --> 00:28:37,000 Speaker 1: you know, breakthrough young as well. So it's that excitement, 500 00:28:37,040 --> 00:28:42,040 Speaker 1: that unpredictability. It's the individuality and the different ways that 501 00:28:42,200 --> 00:28:44,640 Speaker 1: they do it, both from within this country and from 502 00:28:44,640 --> 00:28:47,040 Speaker 1: all over the world that make it so you know, 503 00:28:47,280 --> 00:28:50,160 Speaker 1: fabulously exciting. When you get to somewhere like Flushing and 504 00:28:50,200 --> 00:28:51,760 Speaker 1: you get to the open and why it's so great 505 00:28:51,800 --> 00:28:55,320 Speaker 1: that we're able to have the events, it's it's so important. 506 00:28:55,360 --> 00:28:58,840 Speaker 1: It goes far beyond commerce. There's something special that happens here. 507 00:28:58,840 --> 00:29:02,280 Speaker 1: The world comes together and the personalities and the signatures 508 00:29:02,280 --> 00:29:05,000 Speaker 1: of these players are written all over the lines on 509 00:29:05,040 --> 00:29:08,720 Speaker 1: that court. Well, Ken Tolman, we're gonna have to leave 510 00:29:08,800 --> 00:29:11,040 Speaker 1: it there. So great to catch help with you. Thank 511 00:29:11,080 --> 00:29:14,520 Speaker 1: you so much. It's a busy time, a virtually busy time. 512 00:29:14,600 --> 00:29:17,200 Speaker 1: A little bit different from years past, when, as I 513 00:29:17,200 --> 00:29:20,120 Speaker 1: said at the top of the show, we would be 514 00:29:20,320 --> 00:29:23,080 Speaker 1: really happy to run into each other, uh there as 515 00:29:23,120 --> 00:29:26,280 Speaker 1: you were doing your thing. Great to hear your voice, 516 00:29:26,360 --> 00:29:28,920 Speaker 1: glad to hear your well and as you said, you know, 517 00:29:29,000 --> 00:29:32,240 Speaker 1: doing some really important work. And Tennis, as I'm so 518 00:29:32,280 --> 00:29:34,520 Speaker 1: glad you pointed out, has really been at the core 519 00:29:34,560 --> 00:29:37,600 Speaker 1: of so many of these social issues that happily and 520 00:29:37,760 --> 00:29:40,920 Speaker 1: fortunately if it leads to real change we are talking 521 00:29:40,920 --> 00:29:45,720 Speaker 1: about right now, Ken Soloman, thank you, appreciate it. Michael, Mike, 522 00:29:45,880 --> 00:29:48,280 Speaker 1: Jason get great to be with you, guys. I love 523 00:29:48,400 --> 00:29:51,000 Speaker 1: keeping up and making sure that you know that that 524 00:29:51,080 --> 00:29:53,440 Speaker 1: I'm looking at the business of the sport right with you. 525 00:29:53,760 --> 00:29:57,640 Speaker 1: We'll be back to what all right? Thanks Ken? So 526 00:29:57,760 --> 00:30:00,640 Speaker 1: what a different year for Ken Solomon obvious league guys. 527 00:30:00,680 --> 00:30:04,400 Speaker 1: I mean I alluded to it in the conversation with him. 528 00:30:04,440 --> 00:30:06,720 Speaker 1: I mean, this guy is I think I used this 529 00:30:06,840 --> 00:30:09,400 Speaker 1: term a whirling dervish. He and I would be texting 530 00:30:09,440 --> 00:30:13,400 Speaker 1: each other when we were there, running around ash running 531 00:30:13,400 --> 00:30:18,840 Speaker 1: around the entire uh complex. There so much usually gets done, 532 00:30:19,480 --> 00:30:21,840 Speaker 1: and a reminder that it's a very different world when 533 00:30:21,880 --> 00:30:25,040 Speaker 1: it comes to tennis and professional sports here, that this 534 00:30:25,080 --> 00:30:27,960 Speaker 1: is the world we're living in. Michael Barr, Yes, and 535 00:30:28,120 --> 00:30:31,040 Speaker 1: you know it. During that interview, there was a moment, 536 00:30:31,320 --> 00:30:34,000 Speaker 1: I'm not gonna lie, where my mind started to wander 537 00:30:34,080 --> 00:30:37,040 Speaker 1: a little bit, and I went back to when I 538 00:30:37,120 --> 00:30:41,680 Speaker 1: was a kid watching Billy Jene King and the famous 539 00:30:41,720 --> 00:30:47,800 Speaker 1: match against Bobby Riggs three in the Astrodome, and here's 540 00:30:47,800 --> 00:30:51,480 Speaker 1: Howard co Sell and and all this is coming out, 541 00:30:51,520 --> 00:30:55,120 Speaker 1: and I'm gonna show you how important that match was. 542 00:30:55,680 --> 00:30:58,720 Speaker 1: My mom and dad, they didn't know boo about tennis, 543 00:30:58,760 --> 00:31:02,120 Speaker 1: but all of a sudden, here's the motorola, the color 544 00:31:02,200 --> 00:31:05,760 Speaker 1: TV that look like furniture is all tuned up and 545 00:31:05,760 --> 00:31:09,400 Speaker 1: and they're watching this and I'm I'm riveted on that. 546 00:31:09,480 --> 00:31:14,520 Speaker 1: And this is where the history of sports with tennis, 547 00:31:15,040 --> 00:31:18,160 Speaker 1: uh continues, and and it's just great to talk to 548 00:31:18,280 --> 00:31:22,520 Speaker 1: Ken about the history of the sport. You know, Since 549 00:31:22,520 --> 00:31:24,479 Speaker 1: this is Labor Day Monday, and we won't have a 550 00:31:24,600 --> 00:31:26,880 Speaker 1: number of the week until Thursday, I'm going to throw 551 00:31:26,920 --> 00:31:30,120 Speaker 1: a number out that captured my attention. When we head 552 00:31:30,120 --> 00:31:33,160 Speaker 1: did the interview the number one when I said, how 553 00:31:33,160 --> 00:31:36,560 Speaker 1: many people do you have the staff reduction on the 554 00:31:36,560 --> 00:31:38,960 Speaker 1: ground at the US Open, and he said, we have 555 00:31:39,240 --> 00:31:43,400 Speaker 1: one person on the ground, which is amazing. They're putting 556 00:31:43,400 --> 00:31:48,720 Speaker 1: out quality product, a quality show day after day, night 557 00:31:48,760 --> 00:31:52,960 Speaker 1: after night with one person at the US Open, which 558 00:31:53,360 --> 00:31:56,880 Speaker 1: is a bad harbinger for the future, especially if they 559 00:31:56,880 --> 00:31:59,640 Speaker 1: can put a quality product on and it's it's happening 560 00:31:59,680 --> 00:32:02,040 Speaker 1: in this me. Why not just in sports, but everywhere 561 00:32:02,160 --> 00:32:05,320 Speaker 1: people are finding out they can do the same with less, 562 00:32:05,320 --> 00:32:10,160 Speaker 1: and that's unfortunate. Well, here's hoping that next Labor Day 563 00:32:10,360 --> 00:32:13,920 Speaker 1: everybody is back on those grounds and Ken Solomon and 564 00:32:13,960 --> 00:32:17,479 Speaker 1: his team are putting on a great broadcast on the 565 00:32:17,560 --> 00:32:20,400 Speaker 1: ground because it's a very very special place. We're grateful 566 00:32:20,400 --> 00:32:22,560 Speaker 1: to him for joining us. You've been listening to a 567 00:32:22,600 --> 00:32:26,240 Speaker 1: special edition at the Bloomberg Business of Sports. Happy Labor 568 00:32:26,320 --> 00:32:31,280 Speaker 1: Day everyone. We are here every week Monday's, Wednesdays and 569 00:32:31,320 --> 00:32:34,960 Speaker 1: Thursdays on our podcast every weekend on the radio. I'm 570 00:32:35,040 --> 00:32:37,800 Speaker 1: Jason Kelly. Find me on Twitter at Jason Kelly News 571 00:32:38,480 --> 00:32:40,719 Speaker 1: and I'm Mike Lynch. Happy Labor Day everyone. You can 572 00:32:40,800 --> 00:32:44,320 Speaker 1: follow me at Lynch e w CVB yo, enjoy the 573 00:32:44,400 --> 00:32:49,440 Speaker 1: Labor day. Everybody social distancing. If you're out of the barbecueloiad, 574 00:32:50,560 --> 00:32:52,880 Speaker 1: you find me on Twitter at Big Car Support. Do 575 00:32:52,880 --> 00:32:56,200 Speaker 1: you listening to Bloomberg Business of Fords, Bloomberg Radio Round 576 00:32:56,200 --> 00:32:56,560 Speaker 1: the Worm