There was a great gentleman's final at Wimbledon this year between Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. The match was almost postponed at its climax due to darkness. You see, the British tennis community might as well be cavemen. Sure it's tradition like it was tradition that they didn't have lights at Wrigley Field. Perhaps that's the reason the Cubs haven't won a pennant in a 100 years and haven't won it during all those years where all home games were day games. Bats often come alive at night. But get with the times, Wimbledon. Just like general dentistry, we've come all long way, baby. It's all about the primetime.
The flashbulb serenade that Nadal received after he closed out Federer in the epic five set battle and won his 1st Wimbledon was tremendous. No one expected there to be rain delays that would even bring the match to dusk, but they should be prepared. Championship sporting events do not need a curfew, ask the NBA and MLB how that works out for them. Stretched out programming to generate more advertising revenue is not an issue. Your target audience already has a Rolex perhaps they need a new one. Tennis might as well be a cult, a smug elitist one at that.
Tennis has become the world's game and America is it's bitch. You may not get America back without bringing in a player like John McEnroe or Pete Sampras. Andy Roddick and James Black, they aren't the answer. Neither is Allen Iverson quite frankly, what was the question? No lights, no problem. Glow in the dark tennis, everything is neon or in black light. Everyone is traditionally wearing white so they look like they would at club night. You could play trippy music as well. You get the hippies on board because what else are they going to watch. They are still trying to figure out how to DVR Wipeout! without sober help. Lite Brite Pong, you have me buying what you are selling.
Maybe if ESPN had a UK SportsCenter (they probably do and call it SportsCentre like they do in Canada), but then again, the sight of a Brit version of Stuart Scott might drive them bonkers across the pond. I don't know if they are ready for someone resembling Tanqueray Gin ad guy Tony Sinclair to offer them hugs and handpounds. We stole Cheerios and Cheers from them, we might as well give them something back.
