[jean_genie]

It is a great discussion

Both @Couver and @WilliamsWillWin brought up good and salient points. What I was trying to make clear is that it was a bad strategy for Reebok (if it was the strategy) to hang her fulfillment strictly upon her performance at slams. For instance, over the term of her contract (5 years, $40M), there would've been 20 slams played, so for them to expect her to win all of them in that period of time AND to tie it into a clause in the contract would've been far fetched. Carlos would never have allowed her to sign that. Did she underachieve based upon her gifts? Sure, but she also won a bunch during the 2000-2001 time period and was a finalist 2002-2003. So, her contract would've come up for renewal anyway after 2004.

The book, Venus Envy, was prescient in a lot of ways. Venus did show sponsors what to do and what not to do. Sharapova was the highest paid female athlete or at least in the top 5 for years based upon her endorsements while Serena, who had multiple slam titles, wasn't offered similar deals or exposure.

Social media does play a big role in marketing today and players with large followings definitely can hang on to their deals much longer, even once their performance levels off.

 

[jean_genie]

Congrats to Carlito!

 

[Couver]

So happy for him. It's endearing how winning these hasn't gotten old for him. He still celebrates like a little kid.

Their RG final is the only one this season I found exciting though. Wimbledon and this one were rather anti-climactic. I like that they both like and respect each other but their finals lack the tension some of the Big 3 finals had. I do hope players like Shelton, Fils, Mensik etc can mix it up with them in the next few years though. Not that I want a big 3 era again. I would prefer if the ATP went back to the 90s era with multiple slam winners.

 

[jean_genie]

Just for a little more context to our conversation about Brands and their nonsense around marketing and contracts for women athletes, here's a Glamour magazine article outlining Nike's fumbling of Olympian Allyson Felix when she became pregnant and eventually left to start her own brand, Saysh:

Allyson Felix Risked Everything by Speaking Out. She’s Not Finished


Also, read up on Kara Goucher.

 

[WilliamsWillWin]

 

[kyle.meier2]

Since someone brought up Sloane recently, I got to meet her in August at the Chicago Men’s Challenger! She was helping out Kamau Murray with the tournament and a kids camp that was going on at the same time.

Debated asking about her tennis plans but didn’t want to be nosy lol. Will be good to see her back in action tonight in Guadalajara.

 

[jean_genie]

Since someone brought up Sloane recently, I got to meet her in August at the Chicago Men’s Challenger! She was helping out Kamau Murray with the tournament and a kids camp that was going on at the same time.

Debated asking about her tennis plans but didn’t want to be nosy lol. Will be good to see her back in action tonight in Guadalajara.

View attachment 396557

What a sweet picture! My goodness, our Chicago contingent of PV is growing

 

[Queen V]

Since someone brought up Sloane recently, I got to meet her in August at the Chicago Men’s Challenger! She was helping out Kamau Murray with the tournament and a kids camp that was going on at the same time.

Debated asking about her tennis plans but didn’t want to be nosy lol. Will be good to see her back in action tonight in Guadalajara.

View attachment 396557

I'm so happy that you got to meet Sloane! It's great to have her back on the tour, hope you enjoy the match. I have to miss the match but I'll watch the highlights tomorrow.

 

[Queen V]

 

[jean_genie]

Let's Go Sloane! Stefanini is tricky so fingers crossed that Stephens can et through her.

Also, her outfit looks like one of the EleVen capsules. I have a postcard with Venus in pink (white trim) that looks so similar to this kit, which might be Wilson?? Not sure.

 

[jean_genie]

This is the kit I was talking about. Sloane's outfit looks like this and there's a halter top and leggings that also came with this capsule

 

[Couver]

I don't think I ever saw that outfit before. I love the skirt!

@kyle.meier2 that such a great pic and a cool encounter. I've never met a player before.

 

[MKR94]

Found this video in the abyss of YouTube! Mother was injured and hobbling around!

 

[jean_genie]

I don't think I ever saw that outfit before. I love the skirt!

@kyle.meier2 that such a great pic and a cool encounter. I've never met a player before.

It came out with the green outfit she wore at Serena's last USOpen. But as we've said before, other brands lift from each other, just like her floral print being ripped off by Lotto. Let's face it, Lotto ripped off a lot of her early stuff

I just thought Sloane's kit reminded me of the pink pleated capsule.

 

[WilliamsWillWin]

Wedding next weekend???

 

[LegionArgentina]

Wedding next weekend???

In Italy?

 

[jean_genie]

Looks like they're getting married on the Amalfi Coast. The People magazine article focused more on Serena than it did on Venus, the bride, but they said Vee, her sisters, family and some friends had her hen do, maybe in London?

Hopefully one of the tabloids will sneak pictures or something. I'll be surprised if it's as breathlessly covered as Serena's wedding.

 

[Couver]

I don't want her privacy invaded or anything but do hope we get some pictures of her in her dress.

 

[leftbrian]

Hope Businus got that prenup drawn, signed, and Isha-approved

He seems like a good egg but you never know! Queen's gotta protect her assets or we'll see her back in Jamba serving green juices in no time

 

[Queen V]

I think he's a good man good luck to them, I'm so happy for Vee! Vee said that she wanted to coast and chill but I knew she never fell out of love with tennis. She said that he convinced her to keep playing, that made me a stan.

I agree with @Couver about privacy but I'd love to see some photos.