No IPTL Money = No Roger Federer, No Serena Williams And Lots Of Irate Fans
After a blockbuster season last year, the IPTL is running on fumes this year. With little in the coffers, the exo tour was already without many star players, but at least they had Roger Federer and Serena Williams. Until today.
The IPTL announced that both Roger and Serena would be unable to play the circuit because the series basically didn’t have the money to pay them.
“We have had challenges this year, and we were hoping to get past them. With the current economic climate in India and the uncertainty of spending money, I reached out to both Roger and Serena to explain the situation,” explained IPTL head Mahesh Bhupathi.
“They have both been very supportive of the IPTL the first two seasons and we look forward to bring them in future years.”
How long did the IPTL know they couldn’t pay Federer and Serena is not known. What is is that fans hoping to see Federer this weekend in Hyderabad, India weren’t pleased.
How awfully convenient, @Maheshbhupathi. Create a marketing gimmick -> tickets inject money into a failing league -> ditch. Pathetic stuff. https://t.co/Sx2vmWxWqx
— Sameer Dharur (@SameerDharur) December 6, 2016
@iptl Since without Serena and Roger this is of no worth, a quick and full refund is expected
— Vivek Tiwari (@iamtiwarivivek) December 6, 2016
@iptl refund my hard earned money. u cheated us by telling Roger's name. Our exitement, Match, hotel & travel tkts everything waste now..😢
— Suresh Rasappan (@FanOfFedEx) December 6, 2016
@iptl tickets I bought aren't worth a dime now. Please refund them
— Gafoor खान (@AGrammarJew) December 6, 2016
@fedology I feel so bad for you😔 Surely @iptl should have confirmed with Roger before using his name and duping poor fans😑
— Gothami (@gothami_de) December 6, 2016
@iptl @Maheshbhupathi a disgrace to sell tickets using pull of stars who now won't come. You should be ashamed.
— Ross Barrowman (@RossBarrowman16) December 6, 2016
@iptl refund my hard earned money. u cheated us by telling Roger's name. Our exitement, Match, hotel & travel tkts everything waste now..😢
— Suresh Rasappan (@FanOfFedEx) December 6, 2016
@iptl @Maheshbhupathi 38k i spend buying match ticket and travel is not something i got through lottery, itz a hard earned money plz refund
— RaHuL RaVeEnDrAn (@rahul_srtcal) December 6, 2016
@iptl I ain't paying 6k a day to watch bopanna bro
— Pratyush Peddireddi (@crawlinchoklet) December 6, 2016
@iptl @Maheshbhupathi This is unfair & complete injustice to fans. It seems like you have used #Federer name to sell tickets at high prices!
— jagscasm! (@iamGJH) December 6, 2016
@iptl This s dsigusting from your end to cheat people using Roger's name i ahvea spedna round 38k for two tickets and travel . #ShameonuGuyz
— RaHuL RaVeEnDrAn (@rahul_srtcal) December 6, 2016
All ticket holders can request refunds should they choose. And it sounds like many of them will.
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