Page 18 - ATODAY

SPORTS A17
Wednesday 23 March 2016

WINNER’S
EDGE

In this March 20, 2016, file Bullish McIlroy out
photo, tournament direc- to join select WGC
tor Raymond Moore is shown
after Novak Djokovic, of Ser- Match Play club
bia, defeated Milos Raonic, of
Canada, in a final at the BNP Defending champion Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland,
Paribas Open tennis tourna- hits from the second tee during practice for the Dell
ment, in Indian Wells, Calif. Match Play Championship golf tournament at Austin
County Club, Tuesday, March 22, 2016, in Austin, Texas.
Associated Press Associated Press
Page 18
Tennis tourney
director quits
after criticizing
women pros

BETH HARRIS
AP Sports Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The
tournament director of the
BNP Paribas Open who
said women’s pro tennis
players “ride on the coat-
tails of the men” resigned
Monday night, ending his
29-year association with
the event.
Tournament owner Larry
Ellison said in a statement
that Raymond Moore was
quitting as chief executive
officer and tournament
director of the $7 million
event featuring men’s and
women’s players in the
California desert. Moore
informed Ellison of his deci-
sion when they spoke ear-
lier in the day.
“Ray let me know that he
has decided to step down
from his roles as CEO and
tournament director effec-
tive immediately,” Ellison
said. “I fully understand his
decision.”
A tournament spokesman
could offer no further de-
tails on Moore’s resigna-
tion, citing only Ellison’s
statement.