KAREN SCOTT HAPPER, PRESIDENT & CEO

---

CHAMPAGNE TENNIS ETCETERA, INC.

NORTH VENICE, FL 34275

KAREN @CHAMPAGNETENNIS.COM

941-480-0266

PROFILE

KAREN SCOTT HAPPER

Karen began her career in sports marketing in 1976 in Melbourne with the promotion company for the Australian Open and in 1978 and 1979, she was the Manager of the Australian Open Tennis Championships. She is still the only female to ever be in charge of a Grand Slam tennis tournament. From 1980-1988, Karen continued her career in Sydney as the Managing Director of Donald Dell’s American ProServ international tennis management company and her own sports marketing company. In August of 1988, Karen married Marshall Happer, an American, and moved from Sydney to the United States and created her American sports marketing company, Champagne Tennis® Etcetera, Inc., to continue her international sports marketing business.

Karen has earned the support and respect of the women and the men professional players and all the important professionals in the tennis business such as the International Tennis Federation, the WTA Tour, the ATP Tour, the Grand Slams and all of the international management companies. She has also has a great relationship with many of the great women and men tennis players This is unique in the sports industry.

As a sports marketing professional for over 40 years, Karen has been involved in the promotion and production of numerous tennis and other sports tournaments and events, many charitable fund raisers and the personal representation of the careers of numerous professional tennis players. Every sports event or charitable fund raiser required the creation of the event, its promotion and management

Australian Women’s Museum

Karen is recognized by the Australian Women’s Museum as a “Pioneer Woman” as a result of her long career in sports marketing.

1976-1980 Melbourne

Karen began her sports marketing career when she was employed by John Newcombe and Wayne Reid (President of the Lawn Tennis Association of Australia now Tennis Australia) in 1976 to organize the International Tennis Development Foundation and promote a project designed to strengthen the standard of tennis throughout Asia. Also in 1976, she served as Organizer and Promoter for a nationally televised special fund raising dinner for Tennis Australia to honor the famous Australian Davis Cup Coach, Harry Hopman, and all of the great Aussie Davis Cup players.  Arthur Ashe was the guest speaker.  The dinner was attended by all living Australian Davis Cup players, along with many other players, officials, tennis enthusiasts and supporters.

While in Melbourne between 1977-1980, Karen directed professional tennis tournaments in Adelaide, Hobart & Sydney and in 1978 and 1979, she served as the Tournament Manager for the Australian Open Tennis Championships in Melbourne, both won by Guillermo Vilas of Argentina. She is still the only female to ever be in charge of a Grand Slam tennis tournament.

In 1978, Karen conducted and promoted the International Basketball Series in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide featuring Australia vs. United States star players.

1980-1988 Sydney

In 1980, Karen returned to Sydney and created her own sports marketing company and also began a 9-year term as the Managing Director of ProServ Australia, the Asia/Australian branch of Donald Dell’s American sports marketing firm, ProServ. Between 1980 and 1988, Karen was involved in the promotion and direction of a large number of professional tennis events including the Australian Indoor Championships in Sydney, men and women’s tournaments in New South Wales, tournaments in Hobart and Brisbane and one event on Hamilton Island. In 1987 & 1988 she commuted from Sydney to Edinburgh Scotland to create and direct a new grass court tournament in front of Wimbledon.

While living in Sydney, she also represented for ProServ professional players: Jimmy Connors, Ivan Lendl, Tracy Austin, Pam Shriver, Wally Masur, etc., and she served as Area Manager on behalf of ProServ and Volvo to manage Volvo’s worldwide umbrella sponsorship of the international Volvo Grand Prix of Tennis in the 9 annual tournaments staged in Australia, New Zealand and Asia in 1980-1988.

During this time period. Karen also founded and promoted the fashionable ONE LOVE tennis clothing line for women with the famous Australian Couturier, Mel Clifford in 1985-1988. The ONE LOVE line was exported to London (Harrods) and to the United States in New York (Bloomingdale's), Hawaii, Palm Springs, California and Palm Beach, Florida.

In 1985, Karen managed the first Australian Team to successfully conquer Mount Everest (without oxygen), including the marketing of endorsements and a television special on Australia’s Nine Network.

1988-2020 USA

Karen’s first big promotion in the United States was as the tournament director for the 1990 Fed Cup in Atlanta, the official women’s team event of the International Tennis Federation comparable to the Davis Cup, which included 47 countries.

Between 1989-1992, Karen served as professional consultant to the special fund-raising awards dinners in New York City for the Women’s Tennis Association which was attended by many players, officials, tennis enthusiasts and supporters.

Between 1989 and 1993, Karen also consulted with the big Super Series Volvo International Tennis tournament in New Haven CT and annually directed a senior event in connection with the main tournament usually featuring the great Australian Legends: Rod Laver, Fred Stolle, Roy Emerson and others. In 1994, she organized and promoted a special entertainment event for the Australian Wine Importers in New Haven, Connecticut, in conjunction with the 1994 Volvo International.

In 1992, she created a Legends event in Palm Springs for Rod Laver and in 1994 she created a senior event in Mexico for Fred Stolle.

In 1992, Karen also returned to Melbourne to serve as Organizer and Promoter of the “Newport in Australia” fund raising dinner for the International Tennis Hall of Fame during the 1992 Australian Open. This special fund raising dinner for the International Tennis Hall of Fame was attended by many players, officials, tennis enthusiasts and supporters. 

In 1993, Karen joined RSB Ventures LLC, the operations company for the new Jimmy Connors’ Champions Tour in the United States and for the Rest of the World outside of Europe as Senior Vice President. This became the international senior tour sanctioned by the ATP, in the United States and the rest of the world outside of Europe. The Tour began in 1993 with 3 tournaments and grew to 22 tournaments worldwide by 1996. The Champions Tour featured Jimmy Connors, John McEnroe, Bjorn Borg, Vitas Gerulaitis, Guillermo Vilas, Johan Kriek, etc.

Between 1993 and 2001, Karen directed Champions tour events in Rye, New York, Harrison New York, New York City, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Sydney and Melbourne Australia, Raleigh NC and Atlanta GA.   During this period, Karen brought a number of important sponsors to the Champions Tour such as Tropicana, Cunard, Success Magazine, BTI telecommunications, Cynvisc and others.

In 2000, she was a consultant to Millsport for the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

In 1995, after the tragic death of Vitas Gerulaitis from carbon monoxide poisoning, Karen served as Organizer and Promoter of the special fund raising dinner for the Vitas Gerulaitis Foundation at the Plaza Hotel in New York on the eve of the 1995 US Open and which was attended by many tennis stars, officials, personalities and friends of Vitas Gerulaitis.

In 1999, Karen was the founder and tournament director of the BTI Champions senior tournament in Raleigh NC, when she received a call from the United States Tennis Association for help with the 1999 Fed Cup Tie between the United States and Croatia, which had to be moved from Croatia at the last minute on account of the Kosovo War. Karen was able to accommodate the USTA and schedule the Fed Cup Tie in Raleigh just before her BTI Champions event. All tickets were marketed and sold in 4 days. The national and international exposure for the Tie, which was telecast on ESPN confirmed Raleigh as an international tennis city, with world class facilities, capabilities and people. Because of the success of the Federation Cup Tie and its positive economic impact on the Raleigh area, the Greater Raleigh Convention & Visitor’s Bureau awarded Karen Scott Happer its highest and most prestigious award in 1999, the “Thad Eure, Jr.”, Award as Entrepreneur of the Year. She was also asked to and did join the oldest and most prestigious Rotary Club in Raleigh.

Karen negotiated and serviced million dollar+ sponsorships for Vioxx backcourt signage for Merck & Company for the 2001-2002 US Open in New York City and for the 2001-2003 WTA Finals at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

In 2002, Karen became Executive Vice President and joint owner of KSB Ventures LLC, a Washington, DC company engaged in the sports marketing business. While so engaged, Karen sold sponsorships to Merck for Vioxx for the US Open Tennis Championships in New York and the WTA Finals in Los Angeles, California, to CVS and to American Airlines for the International Tennis Hall of Fame Championships in Newport, Rhode Island, and to Jet Blue Airways for the TD Waterhouse Cup on Long Island, New York.

In 2002 and 2003, Karen negotiated and sold sponsorships for the North American ATP Tournaments and various other tournaments and events. 

On May 1, 2004, Karen resumed full time in the general sports marketing business as President and CEO of Champagne Tennis® Etcetera, Inc., and continued her work with Jimmy Connors and with various high profile tennis and sporting events concentrating on bringing new sponsors to professional tennis.

In 2004, Karen negotiated and serviced Jet Blue Airlines sponsorship for the 2004 T.D. Waterhouse Cup Championships in Long Island, New York and in 2005-2010 she negotiated & serviced JetBlue Airlines sponsorship for the 2005-2010 Legg Mason Classics ATP Tour tournament in Washington, DC.

In 2004-2005, Karen served as a marketing consultant for Superset Tennis Ltd, which was a new experimental concept for a professional tennis promotional event.

Between 2005 and 2020, Karen has represented Jimmy Connors who is generally regarded as the biggest competitor ever in the history of men’s professional tennis. Karen’s representation of Jimmy has included:

Negotiating and managing professional appearances for Jimmy Connors at Wimbledon, the US Open and other venues. 

BBC commentary deals for 2005, 2006 and 2007 Wimbledon telecasts.

Appearance for Jimmy Connors as guest speaker at World Conference of Zurich Capital in Phoenix, Arizona in May of 2005.

In 2005-2006, Karen served as the marketing consultant to the World Sumo Challenge in New York’s Madison Square Garden. 

Represented Billie Jean King in 2006 for her endorsement of her signature tennis court with Rainbow Vision Properties, Inc.

Negotiated and managed agreement for Jimmy Connors to coach Andy Roddick in 2006-2007.

Negotiated Schick/Energizer’s sponsorship in association with Publix Supermarkets across Florida of the 2006 and 2007 Chris Evert Pro-Celebrity Tennis Classics.

Negotiated endorsement agreement with Wright Medical for Jimmy Connors new hip replacement.

Co-produced and promoted in 2006 a new tennis instructional DVD with former and current champions entitled: “Jimmy Connors: The Fundamentals of Tennis” featuring Jimmy, Chris Evert and other professionals.

Created the Grand Slam Winners’ Classic, Presented by Harris Private Bank at the Colony Tennis Resort on Longboat Key, Florida, November 30-December 1, 2007, featuring 8 of the world’s greatest Grand Slam Champions (Fred Stolle, et al.) to support the Wellness Community (after Karen survived breast cancer). This event was moved to the Venetian Golf and River Club for 2008, again supporting the local cancer charity.

In 2008, Karen worked with Star Games LLC on the promotion and production of the BNP Showdown at Madison Square Garden including the servicing of the BNP title sponsorship.

Also, in 2008, she negotiated & serviced the BNP Paribas title sponsorship of BNP Paribas Taste of Tennis New York for August, 2008-2013, immediately prior to the US Open each year. She also brought Jet Blue Airlines as a support sponsor for the Taste of Tennis event.

In 2008, she was also a marketing consultant with the World Trade Centers’ Association and its General Assembly in Dubai, November 7-10, 2008, and a marketing consultant with the Intrepid Air & Space Museum in New York City.

Negotiated contract with The Tennis Channel for Jimmy Connors to be the “Face of the 2009 & 2010 US Open” coverage and managed his appearances with the Tennis Channel.

Negotiated title sponsorship with National Australia Bank for 2009 & 2010 Taste of Tennis Australia events in Melbourne. Partnered with AYS for the promotion and production of the events.  Brought Pandora in as a Presenting sponsor in 2010.

Negotiated Fiera Sceptre’s major sponsorship of the proposed Montreal Showdown.

Consultant to 2010 Squash Tournament of Champions at Grand Central Station, New York City.

Negotiated Power Shares Series appearances for Jimmy Connors at FT. Lauderdale and Philadelphia senior events.

Negotiated Senior Tour playing appearances for Jimmy Connors in Zurich and Montreal.

Negotiated an extended BNP Paribas million+ dollar title sponsorship of the BNP Paribas New York Showdown for 2010 through 2017. Worked with Star Games on the promotion and production of the BNP Showdown at Madison Square Garden including the servicing of the BNP title sponsorship. 

Introduced Euflexxa (joint lubricator) to tennis sponsorship for the BNP Paribas Showdown at Madison Square Garden, New York City, February 28, 2011.

Negotiated sponsorship for Sanofi-Aventis for Caesars Tribute II – “A Celebration of Women of the Ice”, December 3, 2011, Atlantic City NJ.

Negotiated title and ancillary sponsorships for the ANZ Taste of Tennis Australia, January 14, 2011, in Melbourne, Australia. Partnered with AYS on the promotion and production of the event.

Marketing of the Tribute: A Celebration of Women of the Ice at Caesars Palace, Atlantic City, December 3, 2011.

Negotiated and serviced title sponsorship for Swisse Taste of Tennis Australia, January 10, 2013, at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, Melbourne Australia. Partnered with AYS on the production of the event.

Negotiated BNP Paribas title sponsorship of BNP Paribas Hong Kong Showdown for 

2013 and 2014.

Marketing of 2013 World Tennis Day the BNP Paribas Showdown in Hong Kong (2013-2014).

Served as Executive Producer and Tournament Director of the 2014 London Showdown at Earls Court.

Negotiated & serviced sponsorships with Wall Street Journal and Vince Camuto for 2016 and 2017 BNP Paribas Showdown at Madison Square Garden.

Negotiated title sponsorship with Eric Smallwood/Apex Marketing for Champions Tour event at the Royal Albert Hall, London 2016 for Visit Mexico.

Negotiated for Citi Taste of Tennis major support sponsorship by Etihad Airlines.

Negotiated participation by Jimmy Connors in the Legends at Camana Bay, Cayman Islands, February 9, 2018, mixed doubles special: Pat Cash & Sloan Stephens vs. Jimmy Connors & Claire Lui.

Negotiated television commentary for Jimmy Connors for the Amazon's new telecasts of the 2018 US Open along with corporate appearances at the US Open.

Negotiated  and serviced sponsorship of Copper Gel of CITI Taste of Tennis events in Indian Wells and New York, which included personal appearances by Mike Tyson, former Heavyweight Champion of the World.

Negotiated corporate appearances for Jimmy Connors at the 2019 US Open.