Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Larry Ellison Is Spending a Fortune to Save American Tennis

bloomberg.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

1–10 of 21 posts

Re: Larry Ellison Is Spending a Fortune to Save American Tennis

#4

Post by ics »

capkutay wrote: post #3

I thought it was Mark Hurd (the current oracle co-CEO) who was trying to save tennis http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-06-04/oracle-s-m...

From OP:

> During a weeklong visit to the stadium and Porcupine Creek, it became clear that on the strength of Indian Wells, Ellison isn’t content with adding a fifth Grand Slam to the pro tour. With help from Mark Hurd, Oracle’s co-CEO and fellow tennis aficionado, he wants to restore tennis to prominence in the U.S., and make the game more profitable globally. “I think we simply have to do something to improve the quality of American tennis,” Ellison says, sounding for a moment like someone determined to end malaria. To do that, he and Hurd are plotting an all-new American tennis tour, and they want to cultivate the next Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras.

Re: Larry Ellison Is Spending a Fortune to Save American Tennis

#7

Post by melling »

The next time HN readers run into the weeds and start complaining when some billionaire isn't solving world hunger, etc and is instead trying to solve a crazy technical problem, going to space, etc let's try and remember that most billionaires just have fun with their money

Re: Larry Ellison Is Spending a Fortune to Save American Tennis

#8

Post by Kluny »

capkutay wrote: post #3

I thought it was Mark Hurd (the current oracle co-CEO) who was trying to save tennis http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-06-04/oracle-s-m...

Unrelated, Hurd sounds like an ass.

> Unlike Ellison, Hurd played tennis throughout his youth. He was good enough to earn a full ride to Baylor and to play No. 1 for the team. Without any prodding at all, Hurd will pull out trophies earned at National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I championships. “You would never have seen one of these,” he says, knowing that I managed to play only Division III tennis. When the Indian Wells tournament is on, Hurd flies down from Oracle’s headquarters to mix business and pleasure. He speaks with customers and takes in the matches. He also plays at Porcupine Creek and can be found showing off his guns in a tank top.

Re: Larry Ellison Is Spending a Fortune to Save American Tennis

#9

Post by melling »

baddox wrote: post #6
dysinger wrote: post #5

Is this hacker news? Where do I go to read news about hacking?

Larry Ellison is closely associated with a prominent technology company.

The next time HN readers run into the weeds and start complaining when some billionaire isn't solving world hunger, etc and is instead trying to solve a crazy technical problem, going to space, etc let's try and remember that most billionaires just have fun with their money

Re: Larry Ellison Is Spending a Fortune to Save American Tennis

#10

Post by legohead »

Kluny wrote: post #8
capkutay wrote: post #3

I thought it was Mark Hurd (the current oracle co-CEO) who was trying to save tennis http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-06-04/oracle-s-m...

Unrelated, Hurd sounds like an ass. > Unlike Ellison, Hurd played tennis throughout his youth. He was good enough to earn a full ride to Baylor and to play No. 1 for the team. Without any prodding at all, Hurd will pull out trophies earned at National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I championships. “You would never have seen one of these,” he says, knowing that I managed to play only Division III tennis. Wh…

Then they are perfect for each other. I like the story of how Ellison will violate smaller airports no-fly times (due to the noise and close neighborhoods), and land his private jet anyway and just pay the fines.
Post reply on HN