Indian Wells Tournament Director Steps Down Following Controversial Comments

Not exactly a shock.

Image via USA TODAY Sports/Jayne Kamin-Oncea

On Sunday, Indian Wells tournament director and CEO Raymond Moore made himself look like a bit of a jag when he said:

"In my next life when I come back I want to be someone in the WTA, because they ride on the coattails of the men. They don't make any decisions and they are lucky. They are very very lucky. If I was a lady player, I'd go down every night on my knees and thank God that Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal were born, because they have carried this sport. They really have."

He voiced that, of all times, right before Serena Williams faced Victoria Azarenka in the women's final. 

For some reason those comments didn't sit well, with Williams lending her voice to the many who were quite annoyed by them. They're also the type of remarks that can cost you your job, which came full circle late last night when Moore stepped down. According to BNP Paribas Open owner Larry Ellison: "Ray let me know that he has decided to step down from his roles as CEO and Tournament Director effective immediately. I fully understand his decision."​

Moore had been involved with the tournament for 29 years, and had been the CEO at Indian Wells since 2012.

[via @BenRothenberg]

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