The USTA and AEG today announced that the USTA, workingly closely with the USTA Southern California Section, will manage and operate all community-based tennis programming at The Home Depot Center, the $130 million sports complex under construction in Carson, Calif. The agreement is another outgrowth of the USTA-AEG partnership, which was announced in April of this year and is charged with developing new initiatives to elevate the excitement, visibility and development of tennis in the United States.

As part of the agreement, the USTA will supervise and coordinate all grass roots tennis programming, sanctioned tournaments, events and uses within the development owned and operated by AEG.

The Home Depot Center, scheduled to open in June 2003, is a unique 85-acre \"sports campus\" being developed on the campus of California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) by AEG.  The state-of-the-art complex will feature a 13,000-seat tennis stadium along with 36 new or renovated tennis courts.  The development also includes a 27,000-seat soccer stadium, a 20,000-seat track & field stadium and other facilities for volleyball, cycling, softball, baseball, basketball and other sports.  Recently, the U.S. Soccer Federation announced plans to move their national training headquarters to the complex.

Located within the development will be the Pete Sampras Tennis Academy. Founded as a partnership between Sampras and AEG, the Pete Sampras Tennis Academy will provide tennis programs and instruction for players of all abilities and serve as a full time training center for touring pros and players preparing to join the professional tour.  A full time staff including current and former professional players will direct a complete schedule of programs with an emphasis on interacting with the youth of the community.   

\"Southern California has always been a hotbed of tennis activity for all levels of play,\" said Rick Ferman, USTA Executive Director. We look forward to working closely with AEG and the Southern California Section to establish comprehensive tennis programming at Home Depot Center, which will help service the needs of the community.\" 

Earlier this year, the USTA announced the launch of its USA Tennis High Performance west coast national training center at The Home Depot Center when the new facility opens next year.

\"It's ideal for AEG to embrace the resources of the USTA,\" said Timothy J. Leiweke, President and CEO of AEG. \"I can't think of a better organization to operate all of our non-professional tennis-related programming at Home Depot Center than the USTA, the national governing body of tennis in the United States. The USTA's wealth of tennis programs has great options for tennis players of all ages and abilities.\"

\"The agreement allows us to build on our relationship and help facilitate the development of American elite players,\" said Merv Heller, President and Chairman of the Board, USTA.  It also provides a unique opportunity for players to participate in community tennis programs at a world-class facility.\"