ATP announces marketing changes
An elite branding strike force is being put into place around the world with the sole aim of promoting - and fattening the pockets of all - the 25 or so most marketable players in the top 100.Officials have confirmed that Hewitt is on the shortlist but the final decision on whether he participates in the project rests with the player and his management.
The plan will be to allow worldwide sponsors to work specifically with a player of their choice for the first time, a practice that was forbidden by the organisation’s by-laws. The payout for a well-known identity of Hewitt’s fame and stature could be up to $US100,000 ($126,000) in extra annual income.
“There are players who are well known despite not having a top ranking,” says ATP chief marketing officer Phil Anderton, named to the post in 2006 after working in Scottish football and with a soft drink giant.
“Lleyton Hewitt is a drawcard. If he agrees to participate, we haven’t decided whether to promote him just in Australia or to a wider market. But it’s all up to him.” SMH