Bloomberg Businessweek Live from the US Open: Day One
Aug 28, 2025
Jon Wertheim, a noted sports journalist and 60 Minutes correspondent, shares insights on the business of tennis during the U.S. Open. Tim Bunnell, ESPN's programming VP, discusses the evolving landscape of sports media, including the shift to streaming and its impact on fan engagement. Isabelle Lee from Bloomberg analyzes market trends amid the excitement of the tournament, touching on significant stock movements. The conversation also highlights challenges in ticket pricing and mental health in sports, providing a multifaceted view of the industry's current state.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
U.S. Open Feels Like A Three-Week Festival
- Jon Wertheim calls the U.S. Open a three-week event now because Fan Week expanded the schedule and crowd engagement.
- He says the early mixed-doubles trophies and huge fan turnout made it feel like the tournament was already halfway over.
Mixed Doubles Rebranded Successfully
- Mixed doubles was transformed from a sideshow into a newsworthy attraction by concentrating star players and event attention.
- The format drew big crowds and made the competition feel significant again.
Tennis Calendar Is A Tetris Puzzle
- Wertheim likened the crowded tennis calendar to Tetris, with overlapping events creating constant scheduling puzzles.
- He recounted the Cincinnati final on Monday and immediate travel to New York as an example of the logistical scramble.