Biz Bits: The Underwear Edition, Betting on the Brits

By Nicholas McCarvel

Bidding on the Brits
Is there an auctioneer for this one? The two most well-known tennis stars in the UK – Andy Murray and Laura Robson – are ensnared in bidding wars among management companies looking to cash in on their business. Murray’s contract with XIX Entertainment ran up December 31, though no new contract has been reached with them or any other company. His biggest pursuer? IMG, which lost Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Tomas Berdych in the last year. But it’s XIX that’s doing the pursuing with Robson, whose contract with Octagon is up soon.

A ‘Qlo-ing Nole
Novak Djokovic is set to star in the first batch of full-blown Uniqlo ads almost a year after joining the brand. It’s reported that he’ll be the lead in a campaign for Airism, the sweat technology underwear the company makes and Djokovic says he wears during all his matches – even away from the majors.

Turf Wars
It’s turning out to be a three-set battle for the USTA in what the organization perhaps thought would be a 6-0, 6-0 outing. The governing body of tennis in the US and host of the US Open has put forth a proposal to acquire 0.68 of an acre of land at the site of the US Open to help with expansion plans that would build a new stadium at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. But community response? It’s been split down the middle. Residents in the Queens neighborhood of Flushing Meadows are concerned about the growth of the NTC as well as a proposed 25,000-seat MLS stadium and a shopping center. Community leaders have called for more money from the USTA to fund cultural and park programs should it be granted the land.

‘Geek Chic?’ Sure She Is
Serena Williams goes geek chic for a new Wilson tennis ad she filmed Monday in Miami. Basically, I can’t wait to see how this one turned out! ICYM: Serena does the “Talking Talent” Q&A in the New York Times T Magazine last week. Player she would have liked to face the most in history? Chris Evert. |

Itty Bits
Caroline Wozniacki underwear

Not to be outdone (by Serena or Nole!), Caroline Wozniacki’s underwear line for the Danish company JBS is out. Caro’s collection? It’s called “this is me.” The line features Caroline’s name on the band of both the underwear and the bra. Take that, Novak!

Partners since 1985, IBM renewed its contract with the French Tennis Federation to run the French Open website and provide real-time stats at the major for another four years. Nice! (And I don’t mean the city.)

Sure, the WTA lost its deal with Eurosport, but rival station BT is creating a sports channel that will carry 800 hours of live women’s tennis – and is providing 400 new jobs across the UK. All hail job creation!

Tennis in Angola? You got it. First lady Ana Paula dos Santos called for the “massification” of the sport in the African nation. The first lady is leading a nation push for more youth activity and has chosen tennis her sport of practice.

Larry Ellison is bringing his business savvy – and his pocketbook – to Indian Wells. Says tournament CEO Raymond Moore about the event’s recent prize-money increase (spurred by Ellison): “I know eight other tournaments that have the ability to raise prize money. They’re just being stingy.” (Full disclosure: I wrote the tournament blog over the last two weeks.)

The LTA is searching high and low for a chief executive to replace Roger Draper, who announced he’ll step down come September.

(Photo Credit: Getty Images)