From the USTA: WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., March 14, 2016 – The United States Tennis Association (USTA) today announced that former WTA Chairman and CEO Stacey Allaster has been named Chief Executive, Professional Tennis for the USTA. Allaster will report to USTA Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director Gordon Smith.
In her new position, Allaster will be tasked with setting the strategic vision for the USTA’s pro tennis division and will work closely with the USTA Board of Directors and the current USTA pro tennis staff to ensure the continued viability of professional tennis in the United States. The USTA’s professional tennis holdings include the US Open, the Emirates Airline US Open Series, and the Western & Southern Open Masters event in Cincinnati, among others. USTA Chief of Professional Tennis Operations and US Open Tournament Director David Brewer will report to Allaster in her new role.
“Stacey’s track record in tennis is exemplary,” said Katrina Adams, USTA Chairman of the Board and President. “She is a role model, has been a success at every level of the sport, and is driven by a passion for tennis. We know that she will help bring the USTA’s professional tennis interests to even greater heights.”
“Stacey’s commitment to the sport is second to none, and her track record of sustained success would be hard to surpass,” said Smith. “We have added a one-of-a-kind asset to our world-class professional team here at the USTA, and we couldn’t be more thrilled.”
During her tenure at the WTA, Allaster is credited with generating an estimated $1B in diversified contracted revenues; building and growing the brand globally with an emphasis in China and Asia Pacific; transforming the WTA Finals into a 10-day sports entertainment extravaganza; maximizing the fan experience through product innovations in media, data and technology; and securing a 10-year media agreement, the largest live media rights and production venture in women’s sports history.
Along with helping to ensure the financial success of the sport, Allaster was a strong advocate for women’s tennis, its promoters and athletes, and played a lead role in driving prize money growth – – including equal prize money at Roland Garros, Wimbledon, the WTA Finals and the four Premier Mandatory WTA events (Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid & Beijing).
Allaster’s long history in the sport began with her first job at age 12 cleaning red clay courts at a community tennis club. After stints at the Ontario Tennis Association, Allaster joined Tennis Canada, where she served in a variety of positions that ultimately included Tournament Director of the Canadian Open in Toronto (she was the only female tournament director within the Masters Series) and as the defacto chief marketing and revenue officers as the Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the national governing body of the sport in Canada.
Among her numerous honors, Allaster has been named the Sports Media Canada Executive of the Year, the WISE Woman of the Year, a SBJ Gamechanger, and has been recognized by Forbes Magazine as one of the top 10 most powerful women in sports. In 2015, Allaster was recognized and commended by the International Tennis Hall of Fame for her contributions to the sport.
Allaster, 52, is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario where she holds both a Bachelor’s degree and Doctor of Law, honoris causa (LL.D.). She also has an MBA from the Ivey School of Business in Canada. She became a U.S. citizen in 2015, and lives with her husband and two children