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More Hollywood dealmakers are turning to the tennis court
Tennis courts are used inside Griffith Park on May 15, 2020, in Los Angeles.
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Chris Pizzello
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Associated Press
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Topline:
The stands of the U.S. Open are packed with Hollywood A-listers, but there are many in the industry that aren’t A-list — writers, producers and executives alike — who have communed around the sport for dealmaking and connections.
Why it matters: Tennis in Hollywood is not just a game. For many in the industry, it’s also where they form personal and professional relationships. Some have found friends and even spouses, while others have found collaborators and industry allies — all while getting in a little cardio.
Tennis’ Hollywood history: Almost 100 years ago, Groucho Marx and Charlie Chaplin were founding members of the Beverly Hills Tennis Club, and today, talent firm boss David Gersh and Matthew McConaughey can sometimes be spotted at the legendary locale. Many others have picked up the sport, whether because of the COVID-era need to connect and get outside or perhaps the Instagrammable nature of all the cute outfits and clay courts.
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Serving up deals: While golf may be everyone’s mental image of a dealmaking sport, a couple of sets on the tennis court might be Hollywood’s newest hotspot for talking shop. “Tennis has always had that kind of old school gentleman agreement,” Beverly Hills Tennis Club director Anne White said. “You can talk about business and play.”
For more... read the full story on The Ankler.
This story is published in partnership with The Ankler, a paid subscription publication about the entertainment industry.
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