Women's tennis' WTA has appointed experienced US sports executive Valerie Camillo to replace Steve Simon as its next chair.
Camillo, who has previously held senior roles at sporting properties such as the NBA, will take up her new role on November 17 and will also serve as chair of the WTA Ventures commercial wing.
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The WTA has said that Camillo will "collaborate with players, tournaments, and partners across sport and entertainment to elevate the athlete experience, expand the global fan base, and strengthen the commercial future of women’s tennis."
The women's tennis body's board approved Camillo as its new chair following a recruitment process led by the Elevate Talent agency, with the process also including outgoing chair Simon (who is now retiring after 10 years in the role).
The WTA has asserted that the process featured "a diverse pool of highly qualified candidates from across global sports and business."
Camillo has been chosen for her reputation as a respected and innovative leader, as well as her record of commercial success.
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By GlobalDataShe currently serves as a director on the board at the Herschend Family Entertainment firm, while between the start of 2019 and mid-2023, Camillo was president and chief executive of the NHL's Philadelphia Flyers. Prior roles, meanwhile, include a stint as head of team marketing and business operations at the NBA between 2010 and 2014.
Speaking on her appointment, she said: "This is a critical moment for women’s tennis, with important decisions ahead that will shape the future for our players, tournaments, fans, and partners. I look forward to working with our athletes, tournament members, the entire WTA team, and the wider tennis community."
Simon added: "I am delighted to welcome Valerie as the new chair of the WTA. She is an outstanding leader who brings vast expertise and experience from a 30-year career delivering growth, developing organizations, and building effective relationships across sports and entertainment."
The outgoing chair announced his departure in May and will officially leave the WTA in December.
Between 2015 and 2024, he served as chief executive and chairman, before relinquishing the former in July last year after the implementation of a new leadership structure by the WTA, separating the roles.
After the roles were split, the WTA appointed experienced sports and media executive Portia Archer as CEO.
During his long tenure, Simon has played a key role in the growth of women’s tennis. Working closely with the WTA’s player and tournament members, he led plans to modernize the structure of the women’s professional circuit – including a committed $400 million increase in player compensation over the next 10 years.
He also negotiated a significant partnership with the CVC Capital Partners private equity firm in 2023 to establish the WTA Ventures arm to manage the commercial aspects of women’s tennis, to develop and grow the sport worldwide.
In terms of WTA hirings, meanwhile, August saw WTA Ventures appoint Jessica Chanderli as senior vice president of media rights.
