WTA CEO Stacy Allaster Signs 5-Year Contract Extension

Stacey Allaster, the chairwoman and CEO of the Women’s Tennis Association, has signed a contract extension to keep her in that role until 2017. Her decision puts her in line to become the longest serving female chief executive in WTA history.

Allaster, 48, has been in charge of people surrounding tennis since she was 18. She was the head tennis professional at the local country club. But Allaster has been in charge of women’s tennis and its tour since July 2009.

The tour’s board of directors unanimously voted for the Ontario native’s five-year contract extension.

“For us to have this stability allows our organization to stay focused on growing the business,” Allaster said. “Players know me; tournaments know me; stakeholders in the industry and sponsors know me,” she added. “We don’t have to spend time on me learning the business.”

Allaster said she knew from a young age she wanted to be involved in sports management. Now, she’s in charge of a tour that has increased in TV viewership, prize money and attendance at its larger events.

“At the C.E.O. level, you’re going to step back,” Allaster said about a friend’s advice. “It’s going to be about strategy. It’s going to be about your vision. It’s going to be about values. It’s going to be about people. It’s going to be about you making sure you’ve got the right course and the right team, and that they’re energized and motivated. It’s an entirely different thought process.