Bill Ackman‘s Tennis Tournament Appearance Sparks Outrage, Mockery
Billionaire investor Bill Ackman faced widespread criticism and ridicule this week after participating in a professional tennis tournament, the Hall of Fame open, as a doubles player. Ackman, 59, partnered with American tennis player Jack Sock, but the duo was quickly eliminated in the first round, losing in straight sets.
The decision to grant Ackman a wildcard entry into the ATP-sanctioned event drew sharp rebukes from prominent figures in the tennis world. Andy Roddick, a former world No. 1, described the situation as “the biggest joke I’ve ever watched in professional tennis.” martina Navratilova, a legendary player, commented on social media that “Apparently you can buy yourself a wild card.” Tennis journalist Jon Wertheim deemed the arrangement “wildly inappropriate and lacking in integrity,” particularly given that the match had implications for player rankings and prize money.
Glenn Greenwald, a journalist, also weighed in on X (formerly Twitter), criticizing Ackman for using his “vast wealth to worm his way into a professional, ATP-sanctioned tennis tournament… It’d be as if bill Gates got the Seattle Mariners to let him be a starting pitcher for their AAA team. Pathetic ego-stroking.”
The controversy was further amplified by a viral, satirical trailer for a fictional ESPN 30 for 30 documentary titled “Net Worth,” created by Morning Brew’s Good Work. The mockumentary humorously highlights Ackman’s performance and the perceived absurdity of his participation.
In the wake of the backlash, Ackman has continued to engage on social media, with some interpreting his posts as an attempt to deflect criticism.Reports also suggest Ackman made a meaningful donation to the Tennis Hall of Fame following the tournament.
ackman’s foray into professional tennis comes amidst his public persona, which has recently been characterized by his involvement in political discourse, including his alleged willingness to “bankroll anyone” who runs against Zohran Mamdani in the NYC mayor’s race, and his perceived tendency to be “terminally online.”