Louis Desmarteaux Comments on ESPN's Prospects to Cover U.S. Open

PHILADELPHIA, PA, May 20, 2013

Although the Grand Slam events have earned respect and fanfare all over the globe, Louis Desmarteaux--professional tennis player and instructor--believes that there are many people who have yet to discover the excitement offered by these monumental matches. According to a recent article from USA Today, ESPN has proposed to take over coverage of one of the US Open from CBS, a move that Desmarteaux believes could make tennis more accessible to the general public.

USA Today reports, "The U.S. Open tennis coverage may get a new home. Or at least a bigger home at an old place. SportsBusiness Daily [SBD] is reporting that, for the first time since 1968, the tournament will leave CBS and that ESPN will obtain all the rights in 2015." Although the UTSA declined to comment on the development, USA Today also reveals that "According to SBD's John Ourand, ESPN would pay an average of $60 million a year, a 50 percent upgrade from the present contract that expires in 2014. ESPN holds the cable rights through 2014...Under the proposed deal, ESPN would broadcast the semifinals and finals with other rounds either streamed live or carried on ESPN or one of its other channels."

Louis Desmarteaux responds, "CBS is a major outlet for the U.S. Open that attracts high amounts of viewers from all over the country. However, many of these spectators were already tennis fans to begin with--leaving it difficult for new players and viewers to get in on the action. ESPN knows how to market sports, and if it can put tennis on a similar level of other popular American sports--such as baseball and football--then the evolution of this game could prove immense."

According to Desmarteaux, the potential increase of coverage offered by ESPN could allow more individuals to learn and appreciate tennis while they are tuning in for news on other sports.

"Many people remain apprehensive of gaining interest in tennis, because it exists in a sports bubble outside of popular culture. However, by covering the U.S. Open, ESPN could help more sports fans may loosen up to the game and maybe even become interested in playing it."

Regardless of the final decision regarding ESPN's coverage of the Grand Slam tournament, Louis Desmarteaux encourages all sports fans to learn more about tennis and the exciting gameplay its televised matches deliver.

ABOUT:

Louis Desmarteaux is a well-rounded tennis professional with an academic background in Communication Arts and Business. He has had a long history as a tennis player, making one of his first marks in the sports world as a top-ranked junior player in Canada between 1997 and 2002. As he progressed into his athletic and academic career as an undergraduate at St. John's University, he served as a member of and a captain for the school's men's varsity tennis team. Throughout the years, in addition to earning an MBA at Northeastern University, Louis Desmarteaux has made a considerable impact as an international tennis competitor and tennis instructor for leading players in America.