Racket Business - Publisher's Notes for August 2024

• Letter to the Publisher

• Quick Notes

• Things that make me go hmmmm
  A. Swing Vision + PlayReplay
  B. Three interesting tennis organizations - what are they hiding?
  1. The Tennis Congress
  2. RacketPro
  3. The Directors’ Club of America

LETTER TO THE PUBLISHER

Rich,

I love everything you've done with your newsletter and Conga Sports. You're one of only a handful of folks that actually report factual information. I particularly like how you challenge the USTA. They've gone off the rails and that train wreck will never be cleaned up.  They're the leading woke organization in the country or better yet, the world. They've surpassed ALL expectations. 

If they could only execute a plan to grow tennis in the USA. They've failed miserably..... Of course, the leadership doomed any chance starting back in early 2000. Don't get me started on that pile of sh** of leaders. What a f***ing cesspool of creeps. 

If you want to grow your companies and concept to their full potential, get the hell out of California.  Consider Miami, Dallas, or even Charleston. Just my opinion but I believe other folks would come on board if you got off the leftist left coast and leave ALL those nut jobs behind. 

There's nothing left to do but witness the total demise of a state that was once one of the most beautiful and greatest places to live. It was PARADISE and a wonderful place to raise a family!! The governor is a complete disgrace to humanity.......

Wishing you all the best!
Yours truly,
Conrad Cowen
in Mt. Pleasant, So. Carolina

What a pleasant surprise. Thank you, Conrad!

QUICK NOTES

DOES TENNIS USE THE RIGHT MESSAGING?

I believe it would be beneficial for us to revise our messaging to attract a younger demographic of coaches and players. Currently, our content primarily features more seasoned individuals within the industry, showcasing their expertise through training videos and Quick Tips. However, it is important to consider the inclusion of younger coaches and provide them with opportunities to take a leading role within our organizations. When can we begin to prioritize the involvement of younger coaches?

Surprise us!

NGB FOR MEMBERS ONLY?

When I came across the SKILLS AND DRILLS LIBRARY on the USTA website, I thought this was actually a good idea. They write, “At USTA, our guides and informative articles help you become the best tennis player possible. Develop your game right here.” Nice, right?

But then I read something that didn’t sit well with me. It said, “USTA Account Members Only: Elevate your game with our skills and drills library.”

So, this entire library of skills and drills is only for USTA members. Is that compatible with any mission of growing tennis in the United States? But then I remembered the actions of the USTA Southern California’s CEO who threw thousands of tennis players under the bus and celebrated the elimination of 16 perfect tennis courts only to secure some other courts for his league division.

Therefore, I’m not surprised at all.

UTS NEW YORK - ARE YOU GUYS INSANE?

Another “Ultimate Tennis Showdown” is upon us, folks.

This time it’s in New York at Forest Hills Stadium on August 22 & 23. Ticket prices up to $500 don’t scare me anymore. But when I see the VIP options, I can only shake my head. Suites up to $37,500. One-hour VIP Clinic $15,000. Tennis for the rich, my friends. Our sport is increasingly becoming exclusive to the wealthy and corporations. Since this trend has been perpetuated by the USTA,

can anyone be surprised?

Brian Dillman

After a fruitful discussion with Brian Dillman, the CEO of USPTA, I am highly optimistic about the future of the organization. Mr. Dillman possesses profound knowledge of the industry and demonstrates fearlessness in the face of competition. His message emphasizes the importance of unity and collective progress in advancing our industry, as opposed to fragmentation. I also share his focus on careers and courts, and I am particularly pleased that he has agreed to a partnership between USPTA and RecycleBalls. This is a commendable move.

In my perspective, the USPTA is currently in a unique position to assume a more prominent leadership role in racquet sports. This is especially evident considering that today’s PTR is facing uncertainty and a lack of leadership, following the departure of former CEO Dan Santorum, who appears to have joined a new direct competitor in the field of (Pickleball) Racket Sports training and certification.

Which came as a big surprise.

Adult Red Ball

The USTA is pushing this new program and some sections are organizing pilots. I’m hearing mixed opinions from teaching pros with most of them thinking it’s a waste of time.

I’m a little more optimistic because Michele Krause is involved. Michele knows how to excite people who are not afraid of sweating. Putting the emphasis on getting a workout seems the right strategy for me. Especially when targeting younger players. Offering financial incentives worth $1,500 helps, too. We’ll see where this goes.

Surprise us, Michele.

Wimbledon Championships 2024 - My First Time

MAIN TOPIC - THINGS THAT MAKE ME GO HMMMM…

Swing Vision, PlayReplay - Who Needs All That Data?

After conducting extensive research on various products in the market, such as Swing Vision, I consistently arrive at the same conclusion: the demand for such detailed data is limited.

While high-performance coaches and academies may find value in utilizing this data to showcase progress and satisfy parents, the average adult recreational tennis player and their coach have little interest in "taking full control of their game by tracking shot placement, ball speed, and win percentage" in my opinion. As someone who has interacted with thousands of SoCal tennis players and facilitated Drop-In Tennis programs for many thousands of participants in the last 27 years, I confidently assert that this level of data analysis does not pique their interest. There has been no instance where I have witnessed a player bringing out their iPhone and using Swing Vision.

Considering the USTA's investment in PlayReplay, I can’t wait to see their strategy to convince their main constituents, recreational tennis players, to use the app. To be honest, I anticipate it to be another misguided endeavor diverting attention from their core mission.

Some Interesting Tennis Organizations - What Are They Hiding?

This is a persistent concern of mine. Whenever new organizations emerge, they often appear to rather intentionally conceal two vital details: their address and ownership. This issue is not limited to tennis alone, but for the purpose of this discussion, I will focus on tennis, naturally. Consider this as another aspect where my mission of holding organizations accountable becomes relevant. Now, let's examine some recent organizations that have come to prominence and have caught my attention.

There have been significant changes in the Tennis Congress over the past year. I have not personally had the opportunity to interact with any of the players. However, considering the exceptional quality of their teaching staff, I presume that the players have had a positive experience. The registration fee for tuition and meals totals $2,750 (with $550 being tax-deductible), with an additional cost of $900-1,000 for accommodation and travel to Tucson, AZ. This brings the total expense to approximately $4-5K, which is manageable considering the rising costs associated with tennis and considering the wealthy clientele.

What bothers me is the total absence of clear information about the corporate structure and governance of that organization. I started researching The Tennis Congress.

The byline below the logo reads “A project of the Net Gains Foundation.” The foundation’s website states, “Harnessing the power of tennis to change lives.” It is fair to assume that NGF founder PJ Simmons created The Tennis Congress as his flagship initiative to raise funds for the foundation. No problem with that, of course. But it gets a little murky when you try to find the IRS Form 990 filing for nonprofits. The only filing available is 2020 where the boxes “Initial Return” and “Final Return/Terminated” are ticked. The organization is no longer listed as a nonprofit in the state of New York. Unfortunately, an email to PJ Simmons did not yield any results.

Upon further examination of the foundation site, I discovered additional details. The new address is now located in Richmond, California. However, the IRS site, which lists nonprofits, does not include the Net Gains Foundation in California. Nevertheless, the foundation claims to be "fiscally sponsored by Social Good Fund," a nonprofit also based in Richmond, CA. Social Good Fund Inc. is a substantial organization with $95 million in revenue, $75 million in assets, and 5,000 volunteers.

In conclusion, I am not suggesting that The Tennis Congress is involved in any improper or illegal activities. In fact, the significant number of accomplished teaching professionals almost dissuaded me from composing this post.

However, the lack of transparency raises concerns and prompts questions about what they may be concealing.

NOTE: I contacted Tennis Congress ED Gary Innes for clarification. He replied and agreed to a Zoom meeting but had to cancel because of an emergency.

FINAL QUESTIONS

• Why is the relationship between the supposedly nonprofit Net Gains Foundation and Social Good Fund not disclosed?

• Who oversees this relationship?

• How is the calculation of the $550 tax deductible portion determined, and where does it ultimately go?

• What else are they not telling us?

RACKETPRO (Racket Professional Organization)

The Racquet Sports Industry magazine posted July 13: racketpro launches as Premier Organization for Racket Sports Professionals. It promises “an international organization dedicated to providing best-in-class education and member benefits to coaches, tournament directors, facility operators and professionals in the world of racquet sports, launched today, with the goal of serving the global community of racquet sports. The new organization will emphasize industry excellence by empowering and inspiring future leaders, ultimately propelling worldwide participation in these rapidly growing racquet sports, starting with pickleball.”

Upon further examination of the website, several observations have been made. While RacketPro currently places a strong emphasis on Pickleball, they have indicated their intention to expand their focus to include tennis and other racket sports. They also announced 175 Level 1 Certifications, 50 Level 2 Certifications, and, starting in 2025, 1 Level 3 Certification. Doesn’t that sound like a direct competition to both PTR and USPTA? Add to that some nice membership benefits, such as

• $8 million liability insurance

• Dedicated member services staff

• RPO Coach Locator (Search/Find)

• Member discounts from sponsors

Another noteworthy observation is the complete lack of clear information regarding the organization's location, corporate structure, and ownership. A brief company search has revealed that it is registered as an LLC in Delaware. Unfortunately, this is the extent of the information available.

With the announcement of Dan Santorum as the new CEO of RacketPro, there was greater clarity regarding the company's operations. It is now evident that the RacketPro Headquarters is located at Hilton Head Island, and the official phone number is 843-548-7701. Dan even announced the first RacketPro Symposium in HHI from Jan 31 to Feb 2, 2025.

It appears that Santorum played a significant role in the initial stages of RacketPro, with the support of Jarret Chirico and other individuals.

In conclusion, the lack of transparency raises questions about the motives behind the secrecy. It is evident that RPO is the brainchild of Santorum, Chirico, and potentially other individuals. This development may also explain why Chirico didn’t get into a partnership with either the PTR or the USPTA. The creation of RPO may have been a long-term plan from the very beginning.

The Directors' Club likely possesses significant financial resources, which may be used to at least partially support the new organization. It wouldn't be surprising if the USTA is also involved, considering the substantial funds generated from the sale of the Cincinnati tournament. These proceeds may be allocated towards initiatives aimed at increasing their influence over racket sports in the United States.

FINAL QUESTIONS

• Does the U.S. need another racquet professionals organization?

• Does anybody think the PTR is happy about these developments?

• Is the USTA involved in the planning and funding of RPO?

• Do you view Dan Santorum as a traitor or a savior?

• I wish Dan Santorum all the best in his new role.

• What else are they not telling us?

THE DIRECTOR’S CLUB OF AMERICA
(A ‘silent coup’ to conquer the U.S. racket professionals industry?)

Researching The Directors' Club has proven to be quite challenging as there is a total lack of available information. It is unclear whether this organization operates as a nonprofit or a for-profit entity. Additionally, the ownership of the club, specifically whether it is owned by the Chiricos, remains unknown. Considering that all three partners (Jarrett Chirico, Chris Gale, and Michael Jordan) reside in Texas, it is plausible that the company is headquartered in that state. However, there is no record of a nonprofit under this name in Texas, suggesting that it is more likely a for-profit company. I approached Chirico for answers but he chose not to reply.

In summary, while I understand that we are not in Europe where such brazen opaqueness would be unacceptable, it is in my opinion important for an organization like The Directors' Club to prioritize transparency and provide at least basic information for its stakeholders. And for the public. I give them the benefit of the doubt, of course, especially since their membership includes some of the greatest racket pros in the U.S. but the “what are they hiding” theme keeps coming up for me.

ADDENDUM
The more I delve into the Directors' Club of America, the more I comprehend their mission and objectives. Their inception was rooted in the aspiration to form an exclusive community of industry leaders dedicated to the education, communication, and demonstration of the ongoing path to success in the Racquets and Hospitality Industry. In essence, they are establishing a vast membership-based network of racquet sports leaders. Very admirable, of course.

But then came the action by Chirico to prohibit a participant in the first Retreat from sending us her comments. That was a pivotal moment for me. What was it he didn’t want us to discover? Now I am seeing their involvement with RacketPro. Could that be their training and certification arm? I am also reading about their involvement in the newly formed 'premier club recruitment' company BLUE CHIP CLUBFORCE, the brainchild of esteemed industry veteran Tim Bainton and his Blue Chip Management company. That may be their recruitment arm. Doesn’t it appear that Chirico and his partners are planning to create a third racquet professionals trade association? If yes, do you think their members know? Would they support it?

You may find this interview with Brian Dillman from January of this year to be of interest. I encourage you to carefully analyze the line of questioning presented. The Commish emailed me and commented, “I thought Brian told his story well. He has been consistent with his story. That is what the industry needs. The purpose of the interview was to get exposure for DC. They used Dillman to do that. I also thought the DC four had poor listening skills and were more focused on impressing the listeners with how much they knew. This was all about them.”

FINAL QUESTIONS

• Is my question whether or not this is a ‘silent coup’ too far-fetched?

• Should the USPTA and the PTR board members be concerned?

• Do you think USTA dollars are funding some of those activities?

• Since the DC partners all have jobs at prestigious clubs will they have time and risk those jobs to stage a coup?

• If a ‘silent coup’ is in the works, will anyone follow?

• What will the consequences be if they fail - or is success guaranteed?

• What else are they not telling us?