A LOOK BACK AT THE 2022 LEGENDS BALL PRESENTED BY BNP PARIBAS
Esteemed tennis journalist Jon Wertheim and philanthropists Richard and Demi Weitz were honored on Saturday, Sept. 10 at Legends Ball presented by BNP Paribas, the ITHF’s annual celebration of tennis and service.
Held in New York City during the US Open, Legends Ball featured an electrifying evening of live performances from music legends Rick Astley and Debbie Gibson and recognition of tennis legends in attendance. For their service to the sport of tennis and work in and outside of the sport, Wertheim and the Weitzs received the 2022 Eugene L. Scott Award and the Joseph F. Cullman 3rd Award, respectively.
THE EUGENE L. SCOTT AWARD PRESENTED TO JON WERTHEIM
The Scott Award is presented to an individual who embodies Gene’s commitment to communicating honestly and critically about the game, and who has had a significant impact on the tennis world. It is given in memory of the late Hall of Famer who earned the moniker of the “conscience of tennis” for his work helming Tennis Week magazine.
A preeminent voice in sports journalism, Wertheim has been a full-time staff member of Sports Illustrated since 1996, has reported with Tennis Channel since 2012, and served as a corresponded for CBS’s 60 Minutes since 2017. In addition to his immersive work in tennis, Wertheim has covered the NBA, sports business and society, and emerged as one of SI’s chief investigative reporters. Tennis fans around the world are accustomed to seeing Wertheim on Tennis Channel, where he brings a wide breadth of perspective as an analyst throughout the tennis calendar and is a regular contributor to Tennis.com.
On stage upon receiving the award, Wertheim reflected on Scott’s impact on his life and career.
“Gene was a mentor. ‘What would Gene say? What would Gene write? How would he analyze this?’ is always echoing with me. We were colleagues for all too short of time, but Gene was absolutely fearless and a truth-teller. And if it rankled people or if he ruffled a few feathers, so be it.”
In thanking his colleagues, Wertheim stated, “The other thing I’ve realized about tennis, that I'm sure everyone in this room knows - we're in on a little secret, but it really is a lovely community. Every business talks about community and family, but it really is a special group here. We know each other, we like each other by and large. We see each other all over the world in lobbies and in lounges and in airplanes, and it really is this tight knit group that you don't find in other sports.”
THE JOSEPH F. CULLMAN 3RD AWARD PRESENTED TO RICHARD & DEMI WEITZ
RWQuarantunes, created by the Weitzs, received the Joseph F. Cullman Award, which honors an exceptional entity that has made a significant contribution to society at large – both philanthropically and through outstanding generosity of spirit. In March 2020 during the height of pandemic lockdowns, Richard, a partner and agent at WME, and his daughter Demi launched a series of virtual concerts featuring some of music’s biggest stars to benefit charitable causes. What began as an intimate Zoom experience from the Weitzs’ kitchen in Beverly Hills quickly became an international phenomenon.
“When we got to it, we realized that the International Tennis Hall of Fame is an amazing organization that is utilizing their stories of tennis and history to inspire future generations of leaders. It completely fell into the values of our mission. So we eagerly said yes, and we're so happy we did it.”
- Demi Weitz
In 2020, RWQuarantunes stepped in to replace Legends Ball during the Covid-19 pandemic, and funds raised during the virtual gala supported the ITHF at a much-needed time. During nearly a year and a half with 75 Zooms and over 550 performers, RWQuaratunes raised over $35 million for pandemic relief, racial equity, and nonprofits.
All proceeds raised during Legends Ball will benefit the ITHF’s mission to preserve tennis history in the museum collection, celebrate its greatest champions through on-site and digital storytelling, and inspire the next generation through community outreach and education programs.
“The Hall of Fame is about the good of the sport.It’s about the legends, it’s about the values of the game, it’s about the cultural and societal impact that the sport and legends have had, and the history that’s in the making. The Hall of Fame’s work is an effort to bring these stories of courage, perseverance, and progress to life. We do that through digital content, museum exhibits, and events such as Legends Ball, and many more methods. Your generosity allows us to be bigger and bolder in our initiatives, and pursue higher heights in order to inspire the future of our sport.” - ITHF CEO Todd Martin
