Nike’s Wulff May Join WTA

The WTA is close to ending its six-month search for achief executive officer, and has focused on Nike executive Kevin G. Wulff. Wulff would replace outgoing Bart McGuire.

An announcement is expected Monday at the tour’s season-ending championship in Munich, Germany. The Sports Business Daily has reported Wulff will succeed McGuire. “He is one of the leading contenders,” said Chris De Maria, WTA vice president of communications, adding that no deal with Wulff has been finalized.

Wulff, 49, joined Nike in 1993 and is the company’s vice president for emerging business and subsidiaries. He held high-ranking positions with Nike USA and Nike Canada. Previously, he was an executive with Miller Brewing Co. in Milwaukee.

His personal philosophy, as detailed in his Nike biography, sounds as though it could fit the WTA’s current needs: “Take calculated risks. Don’t be afraid of change--if it’s not broke, break it.”

The WTA had hoped to announce a successor to McGuire, who had been with the organization since 1998, at the U.S. Open. McGuire is expected to work with his successor in a transition period through the rest of 2001.