Helfant named ATP leader

LONDON, Jan. 12 (UPI) -- Adam Helfant, a sports shoe corporate executive and ex-NHL lawyer, Monday was named executive chairman and president of the ATP World Tour.

Helfant, 44, succeeds Etienne de Villiers, who quit at the end of last year after holding the job since 2005.

"We are delighted to welcome Adam to the ATP as our new executive chairman," said Graham Pierce, the ATP tournament board representative. "Adam is widely acknowledged as one of the most talented executives in world sport, with exceptional sports, business and legal experience."

Pierce said the board believes Helfant has "the necessary strategic vision, operational strength and international perspective" to head up the sports organization.

Most recently, Helfant was Nike's corporate vice president for global sports marketing.

"There is no doubt that men's professional tennis is one of the world's most popular sports and, as a lifelong fan, it is a great honor to have been given the opportunity to take the helm at such an exciting time for the ATP," Helfant said.