Stacey Allaster Is The New WTA Head  Stacey Allaster |
The Women Tennis Association (WTA) will be headed by Stacey Allaster who was promoted on Monday from president to CEO, 5 months after the head Larry Scott announced that he was stepping down.
Allaster, 46, a former boss of Tennis Canada is credited with revitalising tennis in her home nation. She replaces Scott, who served for six years and officially left only weeks ago for a job in American university sports as head of the PAC-10 conference in San Francisco.
Allaster was picked after months of extensive deliberations by an executive search firm, who also reportedly interviewed outside candidates.
"I'm honoured to lead the WTA Tour, which since its founding by Billie Jean King 36 years ago has continued to break barriers and grow into a premier global sporting league," she said.
Venus Williams, a member of the player council, praised the appointment. "Women's tennis and the Tour have never been stronger as a business, and Stacey has been at the centre of this business success over the past years. I believe she will be a great leader for the Tour, she understands how players can help drive our business, and has all the tools to take our sport to even greater heights."
Allaster came to the WTA in January, 2006 in the newly-created role of President, responsible for the Tour's operations, business development, television, new media and tournament and player relations.
