Contacts: Peter Francesconi TIA Communications peter@tennisindustry.org (843) 686 3036 x.203 Tennis Talking Points Chris Widmaier USTA Managing Director, Corporate Communications widmaier@usta.com 914 696 7284 These recent highlights cover a broad spectrum of topics regarding the tennis industry, with a focus on key messaging points and industry challenges. The Tennis Industry Association is the research source for the tennis industry, tracking participation numbers (together with the USTA) along with equipment sales, tennis retail and facility retail trends, and more. The TIA, along with the USTA and other industry partners, compiled this information on the tennis market in the U.S., health benefits, professional tennis, and industry efforts to grow the game and the tennis economy with the intent that it be used as suggested starting points by media looking to compose pieces with tennis industryrelated themes. Participation Highlights Tennis maintains the top spot as the fastest growing traditional sport in America for the past decade, up 46% from 2000 2010. (SGMA/PAC) In 2009, tennis participation broke the 30 million player mark for the first time in 20 years. Despite a slight decline in participation in 2010 (down 7.8%), the overall trend is still positive from 2003 through 2010, with a 15% increase in total participation. The retention rate of introductory programming for tennis facilities remains at a stable 65%. New players (those trying tennis for the first time) is up 11% from 2003 2010 to 6.55 million. There are an estimated 3.2 million tennis players ages 10 and under, up 18.5% from 2005 and opportunities continue to grow as the USTA s 10 and Under Tennis Initiative can reach millions more of a total 10 and under population of 20+ million. Tennis retention rate for participants ages 6 17 is higher than that of other traditional sports, including baseball, basketball and soccer. 71% of all tennis players indicate they play most frequently at public parks or schools/colleges. Asian, Hispanic and Black tennis participation rates have steadily increased since 2003, with Asians leading the non white demographic with a participation rate of 21.06% of the U.S. Asian population. White participation rates have remained relatively stable around 9%.
Participation Challenges Participation for Frequent Players (key revenue generators for tennis) has declined for the past two years, down from 5.43 million in 2009 to 4.77 million in 2010. Grassroots initiatives sponsored and supported by the USTA,TIA, and industry partners such as 10 and Under Tennis, League Tennis, and Cardio Tennis, aim to increase the frequent player base to 7.5 million by 2015 and 10 million by 2020. Also to be rolled out in 2012 is a new centralized web portal, PlayTennis.com, a one stop site to connect potential and current players to all things tennis. While tennis play occasions were up 10% overall since 2003 (and reached a high in 2008 of 603 million), there was a decline to 500 million in 2010, due largely to a decrease in frequent players. Facility & Retail Trends In 2009, average revenue per tennis court was up over 18% compared to 2005. 95% of facilities with a website are publishing programs on their site. Group clinics and private lessons accounted for over 60% of expected tennis revenue in 09. Pro/specialty stores remained the No. 1 choice for racket purchases, with a 55% share of racket purchases in 2010. Over $102 million in racket sales were made at pro/specialty shops in 2010, up 17% since 2003. Tennis shoes account for the highest percentage of tennis equipment purchases made over the internet by frequent tennis players, with 30% of shoe purchases being made online, up 20 percentage points from 2003. Tennis rackets, tennis racket stringing, and women s apparel account for the top three categories of revenue generation for retailers, at 28%, 19% and 18% respectively. Tennis Market in the U.S. Tennis equipment spending in 2010 reached $811.8 million, with 72% of that spending coming from Frequent Players (those who play 21+ times/year). Equipment Spending Breakdown: Frequent Player Rackets: $127.5 million Balls: $81.1 million Shoes: $150.6 million Strings: $54.8 million
Apparel: $121.6 million Other: $52.8 million In 2010, one in four frequent players purchased a racket via the internet, in line with the trend of tennis players higher demand for tennis through technology. Since 2003, youth racket shipments are up 42% highlighting higher participation rates from a younger demographic. Transition (foam and low compression) ball shipments were up 33% in units in 2010 compared to 2009. Through year end 2010, racket wholesale dollars are up 2%, but down 6% in units, reflecting the trend of higher average value for a racket compared to 2009, and a reflection of an economy influencing tennis players to hang onto rackets longer and restring more often. String shipments in 2010 were up 5% compared to 2009. Through year end 2010, wholesale ball sales and shipments were relatively flat, 1% and 0.7%, respectively. Tennis and Health People who participate in tennis three hours per week (at moderately vigorous intensity) cut their risk of death in half from any cause. (Dr. Ralph Paffenbarger, Harvard University School of Public Health) Exercise such as playing singles tennis briskly for 30 minutes or longer, 3 to 4 times a week, can help condition the heart and lungs. (American Health Association) Tennis builds strength in upper body, legs, hips and abdomen and improves speed and overall flexibility. (Vitality Magazine) Since tennis requires alertness and tactical thinking, it may generate new connections between nerves in the brain and thus promote a lifetime of continuing development of the brain. (Scientists at the University of Illinois) Tennis outperforms all other sports in developing positive personality characteristics and physical fitness development. (Dr. Jim Gavin, Concordia University, author of The Exercise Habit) Competitive tennis burns more calories (528 to 610 for an hour of singles) than aerobics, inline skating, or cycling, according to studies on caloric expenditures. Tennis participation has tremendous physiological and psychological benefits for older individuals. (Dr. James Rippe, Rippe Lifestyle Institute) Tennis players scored higher in vigor, optimism and self esteem while scoring lower in depression, anger, confusion, anxiety and tension than other athletes or non athletes. (Source: Dr. Joan Finn, et al., Southern Connecticut State University)
Professional Tennis Tennis Channel will broadcast more than 600 hours of coverage for 19 men s ATP events. ESPN3.com saw strong growth: 2010 US Open viewing was up 47% vs. 2009, and the 2011 French Open was up 108% from 2010. Prize money on the ATP World Tour will increase significantly over the next three years, topping $90 million (not including Grand Slam events). The increase is due record attendance, increased television and online viewership, and new sponsors. Broadcast coverage across all media of ATP World Tour Masters 1000 and 500 events will hit nearly 45,000 hours in 2011 and include more than 180 countries, including HD globally for Masters 1000 events. In 2010, broadcast revenues for the ATP increased by more than 50%. ESPN aired 600 hours of tennis in 2010 primarily the four Grand Slams and the Olympus US Open Series. ESPN will broadcast Wimbledon from start to finish starting in 2012, increasing its live coverage to more than 140 hours. ESPN3.com s Wimbledon schedule will expand to 750 hours. 2010 US Open For the fourth straight year, US Open attendance topped 700,000. A record $23.6 million in prize money was distributed at the US Open. USOpen.org website had 12.4 million unique visitors and more than 40 million total visits. Live streaming of matches increased 11%, to nearly 2.8 million hours, and for the first time, the men s and women s finals were streamed live in 3D. The Official US Open iphone App was downloaded or updated 673,358 times, a 53% increase over 2009. USOpen.org saw record mobile traffic with more than 30 million page views, a 44% increase. Growing the Game Cardio Tennis Sites: 1,729 facilities and 1.5 million participants 10 and Under Tennis Sites: 1,638 Tennis Welcome Centers: 2,604 Online Court Reservations: 1.75 million Registered PlayTennis.com Users: 286,437 Consumer Queries to TIA Database Searches: 2 million monthly
CareersInTennis.com has over 1,000 tennis specific job listings, over 18,000 views of listed jobs, and over 800 registered jobseekers and interest in the industry continues to increase. USTA Leagues attracted a record 777,920 participants in 2010, up more than 100,000 over the last four years. The USTA s Tennis on Campus program is offered at more than 500 colleges and services over 30,000 students. TIA Retail Efforts to Grow the Game: Tennis Retailer Effort: o TennisRetailers.org provides access to all of the following Register to become a Participating 10 and Under Tennis Retailer at tennisindustry.org/retail and appear on the 10 and Under Tennis Retail Locator Retail Locator on 10andUnderTennis.com TIA Retail Webinars and partnership with Gluskin Townley Group TIA Retail Tips Counterfeit Racquet Campaign TennisConnect Careers In Tennis Discount Shipping Program Consumer Study at Retail The Tennis Industry Association, the not for profit trade association for tennis, is THE unifying force in the tennis industry whose mission is to promote the growth and economic vitality of tennis by working closely with the U.S. Tennis Association and industry partners to develop and implement initiatives to increase tennis participation and improve the health of industry businesses. Core TIA activities include TIA/USTA Annual Participation Study, Consumer and Trade Research, GrowingTennis System including Tennis Welcome Centers, Cardio Tennis, 50 50 Co op Program, 10 and Under Tennis, Careers in Tennis and TennisConnect.com. Visit TennisIndustry.org or call 866 686 3036. The USTA is the national governing body for the sport of tennis in the U.S. and the leader in promoting and developing the growth of tennis at every level from local communities to the highest level of the professional game. A not for profit organization with more than 750,000 members, it invests 100% of its proceeds in growing the game. It owns and operates the US Open, the highest attended annual sporting event in the world, and launched the Olympus US Open Series linking 10 summer tournaments to the US Open. In addition, it owns the 90 plus Pro Circuit events throughout the U.S, and selects the teams for the Davis Cup, Fed Cup, Olympic and Paralympic Games. The USTA philanthropic entity, USTA Serves, provides grants and scholarships and helps underserved youth and people with disabilities. For more information on the USTA, log on to usta.com, like the official Facebook page facebook.com/usta or follow @usta on Twitter.