Indian Wells CEO Steps Down in Wake of Sexist Comments
BNP Paribas Open Tournament Director and CEO Raymond Moore has announced his resignation following his comments that women’s pro tennis players have ridden the coattails of and should be thanking the men’s players for the growth of the sport.
“Ray let me know that he has decided to step down from his roles as CEO and tournament director effective immediately,” said the tournament’s owner Larry Ellison. “I fully understand his decision.”
On Sunday, Moore said:
“In my next life when I come back I want to be someone in the WTA because they ride on the coattails of the men. They don’t make any decisions and they are lucky. They are very, very lucky. If I was a lady player, I’d go down every night on my knees and thank God that Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal were born, because they have carried this sport.”
The comments were met with a lot of criticism from both, and were strangely timed considering that Serena Williams, last year, and Venus Williams, this year, decided to return to the Indian Wells tournament after more than a decade after how they were treated in 2001.
Moore apologized on Monday before he decided to resign later that day.
“I am truly sorry for those remarks, and apologize to all the players and WTA as a whole,” he said in a statement. “We had a women’s final today that reflects the strength of the players, especially Serena and Victoria, and the entire WTA. Again, I am truly sorry for my remarks.”
“Raymond Moore has taken full responsibility for the unacceptable comments he has made,” said Steve Simon, WTA CEO. “It is the right decision for him to step down. The BNP Paribas Open has supported the payment of equal prize money to all players since 2009. The WTA Looks forward to working with Mr. Ellison and the Indian Wells team on continued efforts in making the sport better and equal for all players.”
