Anno » plans to produce all 2,000 or so sing

Philadelphia, PA (SportsNetwork.com) - In case you havent noticed, the ATP and WTA tours are in hibernation until January 4 (unless you count that IPTL exo fast-forward tennis stuff goin down in Asia). A plethora of current and former stars lined up for the inaugural season of the exhibition-style International Premier Tennis League, which is directed by Indian doubles star Mahesh Bhupathi, with a motto of Break the Code. Catchy. There are teams in Dubai, Manila, New Delhi and Singapore, featuring the likes of current and/or former world No. 1 studs Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Pete Sampras, Serena Williams, Andre Agassi, Maria Sharapova, Caroline Wozniacki, Patrick Rafter, Lleyton Hewitt, Carlos Moya, and Ana Ivanovic, not to mention one-time world No. 2 Andy Murray. Each team has both past and present stars from the mens and womens tours. Earlier in the week, Djokovic and Federer capped off the India leg of the league with a highly-anticipated clash between the two superstars in front of an electric crowd in New Delhi. The one-set match between the two great rivals ended in a 6-6 tie under the format rules, as Djokovics team, the UAE Royals, came away with a 29-22 victory over Federers team, the Indian Aces. The tourney features five one-set matches between two teams, with the overall score made up of the total number of games won by each side. Im not sure whos following this league outside of the Dubai/Manila/New Delhi/Singapore part of the world, but I know the players that are competing decided that theyd rather make some more money instead of resting for the start of the 2015 ATP and WTA campaigns. What else has been going on in the world of racquets, you say? The legendary Martina Navratilova became the latest former tennis great to join the coaching ranks, as the 58-year-old Hall-of-Famer signed on to coach 2012 Wimbledon runner-up and current world No. 6 star Agnieszka Radwanska. The former world No. 1 Navratilova, who piled up 18 Grand Slam singles titles as a player, said it should be a fun ride (coaching Radwanska, that is). Radwanska and Navratilova joined the recent trend of players hiring former greats as coaches, such as Andy Murray employing Ivan Lendl and then Amelie Mauresmo, Novak Djokovic bringing in Boris Becker, Roger Federer partnering with Stefan Edberg, Marin Cilic working with Goran Ivanisevic, and Kei Nishikori welcoming Michael Chang. Rising American Madison Keys also dove into the former-world-No. 1-star- turned-coach fray by announcing that Lindsay Davenport would work with her in all events stateside, as well as all four Grand Slam events. The 19-year-old Illinois native Keys is arguably the most-promising talent among the Americans, male or female. Shell head into 15 ranked 30th in the world. And bucking the trend is John Isner, who decided he wants to be coached by a former world No. 63. Justin Gimelstob. Hmm. Moving on. Hey, who doesnt like a good media rights deal story? This week the WTA agreed to a ground-breaking media rights contract it says will be worth more than $525 million (the largest in womens sports history) over 10 seasons from 2017 to 2026, with plans to produce all 2,000 or so singles matches on the womens tour each year. The deal will keep the WTAs international television rights with its current broadcast distribution partner, PERFORM, but expand the scope of the relationship. Their current agreement runs from 2013-16. WTA chairman and CEO Stacey Allaster called the new deal a game-changer (of course she did) and said it will give fans more access to the players they want to watch. Under the existing contract with PERFORM, Allaster said only about a third of the singles matches at WTA tournaments were produced for broadcast around the globe. Now the tour and PERFORM are forming WTA Media, which will produce all main- draw matches in singles, along with the semifinals and finals in doubles, at every tour event, plus develop content for the web and magazine shows for TV. On the domestic front, the aforementioned two-time Grand Slam champion Murray recently proposed to his long-time girlfriend, Kim Sears, although he did pop the question on the same day he fired his long-time friend and coach, Dani Vallverdu. Barring an unusual circumstance, Murray will become the third member of the Big Four to get hitched, joining Djokovic and Federer, who are also already fathers at this point. Will Rafael Nadal join the mix any time soon? Happy Tennis! 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Argos general manager Jim Barker uttered those words during an interview with TSN 1050 radio just prior to the CFLs annual free agent frenzy. If you turn back the clock Barker is true to his word. Last February the only free agent the team added was LB/DE James Yurichuk. He proved his worth as a situational player who excelled on special teams, but it was far from being the kind of deal that captured the attention of more than just the die-hard fan. This may be a similar season in terms of who the Argos bring in according to Barker. "I do believe in plugging holes (via free agency) and trying to find that right guy thats going to bring our club up a notch," Barker noted. The bigger question may be what the club does about three specific players who may opt to not return to Toronto, Pat Watkins, Robert McCune and Swayze Waters. Watkins, a league all-star at cornerback last year, would be the toughest to replace. Hes also been the hardest to find. "Honestly we have not been able to get in touch with him. He doesnt return our calls, which is a bad thing," chuckled Barker. "If a guy doesnt want to be in Toronto then god bless him and good luck. Were persistent. Were sending players to his house, doing all those kind of things to try and run him down. But Pat is one of those guys who is very elusive. Its not a shocking development for us. Its possible hes just involved in something and not worried about it." Swayze Waters led the CFL in punting average and was virtually automatic on field goals down the stretch and is looking at returning to the states. "Hes tried out for a couple of NFL teams," Barker told TSN 1050. "Every indication hes given us is that hes coming back to Toronto if he comes back to the CFL." The Argos are preparing for the scenario where Waters makes an NFL team, and last week signed LSU grad Josh Jasper. Robert McCunes worth was evident in the teams loss to Hamilton in the Eastern Final. The middle linebacker, who was third in the league with 99 tackles, missed the game with a shoulder injury. It seemed every time Henry Burris scrambled, he ran right where McCune would have been. "With Robert were kind of waiting," said the GM. "Obviously Robert had a great year for us. Hes 34 years old. Thats a decision that were in the process of making, to which direction were going to go with him." If the Argos and McCune were to part ways it would leave the team down a couple of middle linebackers, as Jason Pottinger was selected by Ottawa in the expansion draft. Barker has a replacement all picked out, someone who may not be thought of as an MLB. "Shane Horton. Thats his natural position." Barker said, tthen may have tipped his hand about McCunes future.dddddddddddd "(Horton) played out of position playing rush end last year. Hes going to be a very, very good middle linebacker." Barker added he feels that at 215 pounds, Horton is big enough to play in the middle. Herve Tonye-Tonye, a non-import who just completed his rookie season, can also play the inside. As far as non-imports are concerned, it may be an interesting free agency period because of the recent expansion draft. Stocking the Ottawa RedBlacks took its toll on the existing teams rosters, so there will be a desire to restock the shelves with fresh talent. Barker commented on a few of the Canadians on the Argos that are on the verge of free agency. Chad Rempel, long snapper: "Chad worked out with Tampa Bay (NFL). He wants to give that a chance until thats exhausted." Zander Robinson, tight end/fullback: "Zander loves being in Toronto and loves how weve used him in the offence. Hes a valuable guy for us, but hes also exploring NFL opportunities." David Lee, defensive end: "Is a guy that had a real good year for us. I think he wants to try the free-agent market. Its his first time going through that and I think hes a guy that wants to go out and see what the market is all about." Mike Bradwell, wide receiver. "I think were really close. He loves being in Toronto." Coaching Moves/Tryout Camp: The Boatmen lost several coaches in the off-season. Special teams coordinator Mike OShea left to become the head coach of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, while defensive coordinator Chris Jones took over the head coaching job with the Edmonton Eskimos. Jones also took a handful of assistant coaches with him. Barker says there will be announcement about the new-look staff in the immediate future. "Were excited about what our staff is going to look like" said Barker. "Scott (head coach Milanovich) will be announcing those (soon). Hes come up with a couple of guys who have great CFL experience.” Barker spoke to TSN 1050 from Atlanta, where the Argos were hosting a tryout camp. Over 60 players were in attendance and Barker was happy with what they found. "There were two players that were going to attempt to sign" said the GM. "Were pretty excited." If those players head north in June theyll attend training camp. Where that will be is still anyones guess. The team will not be back at the University of Torontos Erindale campus and at present are homeless. Where are they heading? "Those are questions for (Executive Chairman and CEO) Chris Rudge. "I know that theres some different things going on with York University," said Barker. 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