Serving as the WTA CEO for nearly 10 years from October 2015-August 2024, Steve Simon transitioned to Chairman of the WTA Board of Directors and the WTA Ventures Board of Directors.
Since his appointment as CEO of the WTA in 2015, Simon marked his tenure as an instigator of change, spearheading ambitious plans to deliver long-term growth for women’s tennis. An advocate for progressive dialogue between players, tournaments and governing bodies, Simon has fostered an evolution of uniting the sport on issues such as rules, women’s leadership, investment and technology.
Simon’s strategic guidance has delivered a trend of landmark partnerships for the WTA, including a title partner in 2022 with Hologic, Morgan Stanley in 2023, and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and PIF in 2024. In addition the groundbreaking strategic partnership with private equity company CVC Capital Partners launched in 2023, paving an accelerated pathway for the WTA to elevate its brand.
Simon has set a groundbreaking standard in women’s sports, championing equal pay. In May 2023, the WTA announced a $400 million prize money increase over the next decade, with a pledge to achieve equal prize money by 2033.
Simon has also modernized the Tour’s circuit structure and event calendar, aligning it more closely with the ATP to simplify and empower fan engagement. This included establishing a strong foundation of 10 WTA 1000 tournaments, upgrading WTA 500 events and fostering regional 250 tournaments to nurture future talent.
Before leading the WTA, Simon led significant contributions to the sport during his 11 years as a WTA Board member and 13 years as the Tournament Director of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California. Under his leadership at Indian Wells, the WTA and ATP combined event became the world’s largest and most attended tennis tournament.
Simon’s career in tennis was inspired on the court, as a collegiate tennis player at Long Beach State University and then as a national tennis specialist for Adidas. There, he contributed to developing and managing all national junior, collegiate and teaching professional programs, as well as managing the regional sales office and sponsorship and promotional programs.
