IRVING -- The city known as the home of the Dallas Cowboys' Valley Ranch headquarters and the site of the Byron Nelson golf tournament has added World TeamTennis to the sports list.
Irving will become the new home of the former Kansas City Explorers of the Mylan World TeamTennis league, Mayor Beth Van Duyne announced during a news conference Wednesday at the Irving Chamber of Commerce.The yet-to-be named team will play at least 14 matches during the July season, which begins after Wimbledon.A contest is being held to name the team. Fans can go to www.wtt.com/Texas to vote between now and 11 a.m. Jan. 31.The WTT, co-founded by tennis great Billie Jean King in the 1970s, features co-ed teams made up of marquee players and rising stars. The format includes teams of two men and two women playing one set each of men's and women's singles, men's and women's doubles and mixed doubles.The Kansas City team won the league championship in 2010 and features Bob and Mike Bryan, the world's winningest men's doubles team. Co-owner Jeff Launius said he expects the Bryans to return this year, along with Aisam Qureshi of Pakistan, who is ranked No. 14 in the world in doubles. A marquee players draft is scheduled for Feb. 12 and there will be a roster player draft March 12."My job is to put a winning product on the court," Launius said. "But even if we lose, it's to create an environment where everybody that's there, goes, 'That was so much fun -- wow, I want to come back.'"And it is competitive tennis, said WTT commissioner Ilana Kloss."I don't think people realize how competitive it is," the former professional from South Africa said. "But you can have fan involvement, and you can entertain and still be extremely competitive."Launius agreed: "Most [of these players] are used to playing for themselves, or at best a doubles partner. Now that they're representing a city or a state, that's an enormous amount of pressure on them that they do not take lightly."Where the team will play is undetermined. While TPC Four Seasons Resort in Irving has hosted numerous professional tennis events, including the Dallas Tennis Classic in March, Launius said other sites are being considered, both indoors and outdoors.The Texas team will compete in the Western Conference with the Orange County Breakers, Sacramento Capitals and Springfield (Mo.) Lasers. The Eastern Conference includes 2012 champion Washington Kastles, Boston Lobsters, New York Sportstimes and the Philadelphia Freedoms.The city of Irving contributed nearly $400,000: $150,000 going to a venue and $250,000 for the relocation of the team, Van Duyne said"Our benefit from that is projected to be $4 million in the first year," Van Duyne said. "This is a win-win for the residents of Irving and for the hotels."Rusty Hall, 817-390-7816Twitter: @RustyHall10sHave more to add? News tip? Tell us
