Wimbledon “yanked the players comp tickets” after players decided to hold a media protest at the tournament over revenue sharing, according to SI’s Jon Wertheim. Wertheim, appearing on “The Varsity” podcast, noted “millions and millions of dollars are earmarked to complimentary tickets,” as there are “256 players in the singles draw and the doubles players.” Wertheim noted Wimbledon “actually went up this year 20% in their prize money year over year.” However, the players “still decided to protest and do this media boycott and the tournament was livid.” Wertheim: “The phrase they gave me for publication was ‘surprised and disappointed,’ but I can tell you there was far more intensity to the outrage. So, Wimbledon was absolutely furious.” Wertheim said Wimbledon in response “basically yanked the comp tickets.” Wertheim: “People showed up and said, ‘I’m here to watch my daughter play or I’m with a brand and I’m here to watch my payer.’ And they said, ‘Oh, sorry, we don’t have tickets for the players’ earmarked anymore.’ That was on Sunday. That caused chaos. And suddenly by Sunday night, there was a statement saying, ‘We’ve had productive negotiations and we are calling off our protests.’ ... That did not go unnoticed by other tournaments.” Wertheim noted the 20% “seems like a big increase,” but as a “function of gross revenue, it still is hovering in the 14s.” That is “why the players are unhappy” (“The Varsity,” Puck, 7/5).
Report: Wimbledon pulled players’ comp tickets after media protest
