LA Times - November 21, 2002

Manhattan Beach Loses Tennis Tournament
After 21 years, the cozy WTA event will move to a larger stadium in Carson, a coup for the new sports complex.

By Lisa Dillman, Times Staff Writer

The JPMorgan Chase Open, the cozy women's tennis tournament with a neighborhood feel that has been in Manhattan Beach for the last 21 years, will be moving into a much larger home in 2003.

It will be announced today that the WTA tournament is leaving Manhattan Beach for the Home Depot Center in Carson, a result of negotiations between IMG, which owns and operates the event, and Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG).

Traditionally, the outdoor hard-court event at Manhattan Beach has attracted a strong field because of its closeness in the schedule to the U.S. Open.

Five of the top 10 players in the world were in the draw in 2002, and winners the last three years were Chanda Rubin, Lindsay Davenport and Serena Williams.

Dates for 2003 are Aug. 4-10.

The agreement is for five years, with automatic renewal if certain targets are met, sources said.

"We're married and plan to stay married for a while," said Eric van Dillen, senior corporate vice president at IMG. "It took a while. We wanted to make sure our title sponsor was OK with it. It was a pretty big departure from a small boutique, a wonderful little club, to something completely different.

"With their U.S. Open package, and seeing what the USTA is trying to do in pulling together the summer [series], they [JP- Morgan Chase] saw the facility a little farther along the way than just a hole in the ground."

Tim Leiweke, president and chief executive of AEG, said that recent tours of the Carson facility fostered something of a breakthrough.

AEG was also willing to make some changes in design and construction to accommodate its new partners.

"What changed all of their minds -- whether it be IMG or JPMorgan Chase -- is when they walked through the facility," Leiweke said.

"They all looked at each other and said, 'We get it.' When you see 8,000 permanent seats that are tight and compact and in a bowl, it's a pretty extraordinary opportunity."

The Home Depot Center, a $130-million sports complex under construction on the campus of Cal State Dominguez Hills, will feature a soccer stadium that will be home to the Galaxy. It is scheduled to open June 1.

The tennis stadium can seat up to 13,000 and is expected to be ready by July. Capacity will be 8,000 for the women's event.

Though IMG said about three months ago it was close to a deal with the Manhattan Country Club to stay for four more years, one never was agreed upon.

Meanwhile, Leiweke continues to work on a combined summer series, bringing over the men's tournament at UCLA, which is a considerably tougher assignment.

"This is just the start. There are great things coming," Leiweke said. "This announcement will be the catalyst for a lot of other events and a lot of other activity.

"We're extremely pleased. In particular, I know many people believed we would never get it done. I believe it bodes very well for the future of that tennis facility and the facility as a whole."