Indian Wells CEO Resigned From Post After Sexist Comments Aimed At Serena Williams Drew Outrage
BNP Paribas Open tournament director and CEO Raymond Moore resigned from his post after his sexist 'coattails' comment drew ire from many in the tennis world.
His remarks attracted widespread outrage forcing him to apologize. His apology, however, did not dampen the uproar caused by his reckless statement.
Tournament owner Larry Ellison issued a three-paragraph statement concerning Moore's decision to step down from office.
"Earlier today I had the opportunity to speak with Raymond Moore. Ray let me know that he has decided to step down from his roles as CEO and tournament director effective immediately. I fully understand his decision...Nearly half a century ago, Billie Jean King began her historic campaign for the equal treatment of women in tennis. What followed is an ongoing, multi-generational, progressive movement to treat women and men in sports equally," remarked Ellison as quoted in a report by Los Angeles Times.
In his controversial statement last Sunday, Moore stated that female players owed a debt of gratitude to the contributions made by their male counterparts like Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal to making the sport of tennis great.
The unscrupulous comments were swiftly refuted by tennis legend Billie Jean King and Serena Williams. It was also condemned by WTA CEO Steve Simon calling Moore's sexist comments 'a breach of our code of conduct' and threatened the possibility of disciplinary measures as reported by New York Times.
Following the news of Moore's resignation, Simon issued a statement on behalf of WTA saying that the action was the 'right decision'.
"Raymond Moore has taken full responsibility for the unacceptable comments he has made. It is the right decision for him to step down. The BNP Paribas Open has supported the payment of equal prize money to all players since 2009. The WTA looks forward to working with Mr. Ellison and the Indian Wells team on continued efforts in making the sport better and equal for all players," the statement from the WTA Exec reads as quoted by ESPN.
