IMG Arena and ATP Tour set to launch Virtual Tennis
31st March 2020 9:15 am GMT | Last updated: 31st March 2020
IMG Arena will launch a new virtual tennis product in April in partnership with ATP Media, the sales and distribution arm of the ATP Tour.
The new product marks the first time that the two companies have launched a virtual sports offering under their longstanding partnership, and will help sports betting operators to fill the void left by the suspension of the ATP Tour due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
IMG Arena has used licensed assets to create the first-ever officially branded virtual tennis product, featuring logos from the ATP Masters 1000 series along with official tournament names, to deliver an authentic, fan-first experience.
“This is a landmark agreement for ATP Media at a challenging time. We are excited to be working with IMG Arena to deliver fans around the world innovative content and new ways to enjoy their favourite tennis tournaments,” said Mark Webster, CEO of ATP Media.
“Together we are creating a compelling, always-on product that will boost and diversify our sports betting offering, while helping to continue to further develop our international footprint.”
Freddie Longe, managing director of IMG Arena, commented: “ATP Media are one of the most progressive and forward-thinking media companies – we are delighted to partner with them to launch the world’s first officially branded virtual tennis product.
“When we invested in virtual sports specialists Leap Gaming, our vision was to create official products and unlock new revenue streams and forms of fan engagement for our clients. ATP Media share this vision and desire to evolve the way that its fans could connect with tennis. The result is a game-changing product that maximises player engagement and operator returns. As with all of our virtual sports offerings, we have developed the most realistic look, feel, and betting experience.”