Saville sounds Off on Tennis “WAGs” Snapping Up Sponsorships
australian tennis player Daria Saville has voiced her frustration over the growing trend of “WAGs” (wives and girlfriends) of athletes securing lucrative sponsorship deals related to tennis, while active players struggle for visibility.
Tennis Star Daria Saville Highlights Sponsorship Imbalance
Saville, a former top-20 player now ranked outside the top 100, took to social media to express her irritation. she questioned why brands are choosing influencers associated with tennis, rather than the athletes themselves, for advertising campaigns.
“WAGs” vs. players: A Modern Sponsorship Dilemma
In a video posted online, Saville pointed out the rising popularity of “tenniscore” fashion.”The image of tennis has become ‘in,’ hasn’t it?” she said, lamenting that the opportunities are primarily going to partners of players, not necessarily the athletes sweating it out on the court.
Saville Acknowledges Space for All, But Seeks Fair Recognition
Saville suggests that while there’s room for everyone, it’s disheartening to see brands favor an image over the hard work and dedication of professional tennis players. She implied players are being overlooked due to the “WAGs” fitting a certain desired image over the athletes. She seeks to bring awareness to the disparity in brand ambassadorships and endorsement representation within the tennis world today.
Tennis Star Questions Brand Focus on WAGs Over Athletes
A prominent tennis player is raising concerns about brands prioritizing ”WAGs” (wives and girlfriends of athletes) for endorsement deals over professional athletes. The player questions whether the “glamorous life” of a WAG is perceived as more appealing and inspiring than the dedication and hard work of a professional athlete.
Athlete Voices Frustration Over Marketing Choices
The tennis star voiced their frustration in a recent statement, questioning why brands choose influencers for campaigns during major tournaments. They emphasized that they are not alone in this sentiment among tennis players, pointedly asking marketing professionals to explain the rationale behind this trend. The player expressed feeling undervalued compared to the attention given to WAGs.
The Rise of the Tennis WAG
While the player didn’t name names, the rise in popularity of WAGs is undeniable. Morgan Riddle, the girlfriend of American tennis player Taylor Fritz, has been featured in Vogue and dubbed “the moast famous woman in men’s tennis” by The New York Times. Riddle has embraced her role, sharing her experiences as a WAG on social media.
Riddle acknowledged that traditionally, partners of tennis players maintained a low profile, supporting their significant others from the sidelines. However, she has actively cultivated a public image, collaborating with major tennis tournaments like Wimbledon and the US Open, and partnering with brands.
WAGs du tennis : Quand l’influence dépasse les gains des athlètes WTA
Les compagnes de joueurs de tennis, communément appelées WAGs (Wives and Girlfriends), suscitent l’attention, certaines empochant des gains considérables grâce à des partenariats de marque. Un contraste frappant émerge lorsque l’on compare ces revenus à ceux des joueuses de tennis professionnelles.
L’ascension des WAGs : Influence et contrats lucratifs
Certaines wags très demandées peuvent gagner entre 1 et 3 millions de dollars par an grâce à des contrats de marque. Ces partenariats incluent des marques de renom comme Gray Goose, Boss, Wilson, Bumble and Bumble, David Yurman et Ole Henriksen. L’influence de ces personnalités est telle qu’elles participent même à des campagnes publicitaires avec leurs partenaires, comme ce fut le cas pour une campagne Heineken.
Ayan Broomfield, compagne de Frances Tiafoe depuis 2015 et ancienne joueuse de tennis universitaire, a déclaré considérer l’US Open comme son “Met Gala,” soulignant l’opportunité de visibilité et les avantages associés.
Disparités de revenus : Athlètes vs. Influenceuses
La différence de revenus entre les joueuses WTA et les WAGs est significative. À titre d’exemple, Daria saville a gagné un peu plus de 6 millions de dollars de prix en argent depuis le début de sa carrière en 2012. Bien que ce montant n’inclue pas ses contrats de sponsoring, il illustre l’écart important avec les revenus potentiels des influenceuses.
Eva Lys, ancienne joueuse classée 70e mondiale, a réagi à cette situation, exprimant son étonnement face à la facilité avec laquelle certaines WAGs semblent prospérer, soulignant la difficulté pour les joueuses qui ne figurent pas dans le top 10.
How might the increasing focus on “tenniscore” fashion impact the visibility adn sponsorship opportunities for active players versus WAGs in the long term?
Tennis WAGs vs. Active Players: A Q&A on Sponsorships
This article explores the growing trend of “WAGs” (wives and girlfriends) of tennis players securing lucrative sponsorship deals, leading to questions about fairness and visibility for active athletes. Here’s a breakdown of the key issues in a Q&A format:
Frequently Asked Questions & Answers
What exactly is a “WAG” in the context of sports?
WAG stands for “Wives and Girlfriends,” a term used to describe the partners of professional athletes. In this case, it refers to the partners of tennis players.
Why are athletes like Daria Saville speaking out?
Saville, and other players, are frustrated because they see brands choosing WAGs for endorsements and advertising campaigns instead of the athletes themselves. They feel this trend undervalues the hard work and dedication required to be a professional tennis player.
What kind of sponsorship deals are we talking about?
These deals can be very lucrative,involving partnerships with major brands. Examples include fashion, luxury goods, alcohol, and more. WAGs often leverage their social media presence and association with famous athletes to secure these deals.
Can you give an example of a high-profile tennis WAG?
Morgan Riddle, the girlfriend of American tennis player Taylor Fritz, is a prominent example.She has been featured in Vogue, collaborates with major tournaments like Wimbledon and the US open, and has numerous brand partnerships.
How do the earnings of WAGs compare to those of professional tennis players?
The disparity can be important. Some highly sought-after wags can earn between $1 to $3 million annually through brand deals. In contrast, the prize money earned by active players, even those ranked within the top 100, may not always rival those figures.
What’s the “tenniscore” fashion trend, and why is it relevant?
“Tenniscore” refers to fashion inspired by tennis. Saville argues that the rising popularity of this aesthetic has created opportunities, but the opportunities frequently enough go to WAGs rather than the players themselves.
What do the players want?
They want to see brands recognise and support the athletes who are actively competing and contributing to the sport. They aren’t necessarily against WAGs, but they want a fairer distribution of opportunities and recognition.
What can brands do to address these concerns?
Brands could diversify their marketing strategies to include both athletes and influencers. Highlighting the athletes’ training, dedication, and achievements, alongside the glamorous lifestyle, is a potential solution. Partnering with a mix of players and WAGs could also foster a more balanced representation of the tennis world.
The debate highlights a key issue in modern sports: the evolving landscape of endorsements and the impact of social media. It’s a call for a more balanced approach to sponsorships, ensuring that the dedication and hard work of professional tennis players are not overshadowed.
