ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.(AP) Stacey Allaster has been promoted to chairman and CEO of the WTA Tour.
Allaster had been president of the women's professional tennis circuit since 2006.
The 46-year-old Allaster succeeds Larry Scott, who left the WTA to become the commissioner of the Pac-10 conference.
I am honored to lead the Sony Ericsson 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,'' Allaster said in a release Monday.The Tour and our sport have enjoyed unprecedented success over the past years, and we are poised for even greater heights in the years to come.''
Scott announced his departure in March after six years as CEO. The WTA said under Scott, revenue increased 250 percent and prize money increased 40 percent.
Allaster joined the WTA three years ago in the newly created role as president. She was responsible for the Tour's operations, business development, television, new media and tournament and player relations
She previously served as vice president and tournament director at Tennis Canada.
Women's tennis and the Tour have never been stronger as a business, and Stacey has been at the center of this business success over the past years,'' Venus Williams said in the release.Stacey has helped to lead the development of a stronger Tour product through the passage of a healthier and streamlined circuit structure.
``I believe that Stacey will be a great leader for the Tour, understands how players can help drive our business, and has all the tools to take our sport to even greater heights.''
King founded the WTA in 1973.
Stacey is the right person with the right ideas to continue to lead the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour,'' King said.She has the full support of the players, sponsors and tournament owners.''