VIKING ATHLETICS’ PLATFORM TENNIS BALL
NAMED “OFFICIAL BALL” OF THE CHAMPIONSHIPS
THROUGH THE 2009 NATIONALS

By Charles E. Vasoll

This headline reflects the subject of a “Press Release” that was on my e-mail in July. David Kjeldsen and the Viking Athletics organization are to be congratulated for all they have done for the game. They certainly deserve this recognition. I’m afraid, however, that such a long term commitment, while it has certain benefits, also raises some concerns.

A few years ago there were two vendors, Viking and Wilson, both producing balls for the sport. At its meeting in December, the APTA Board of Directors would vote on a proposal spelling out which ball would be used in the National Championships, Ranking Tournaments and Senior events. There was no payment to the APTA for this designation. It only carried prestige for the winner.

Everyone connected to our sport knows that Viking is presently the principal supplier of balls. The APTA Board of Directors no longer has to make the momentous decision as to which ball will be selected for the National Championships. There are some competitors but they are small and do not contribute significantly to the play of the game. When Viking purchased the Wilson ball in 2001, the first era of strong competition in the manufacture of balls disappeared. I fear that with the announcement of the “Official Ball”, the APTA has now closed the door to future competition in supplying the ball. By having the advantage of advertising that it is the “Ball Used in the National Championships”, Viking obtains a significant edge through 2009.

Of course, the first question asked may be, “is more than one supplier needed?” The number of balls sold each season in the past few years has declined, I am told. There are probably two reasons for this. First, the ball is better. Despite the improvements in the paddle, which wears down the ball more, and the strength of the players who hit it harder, Viking has produced a ball that plays longer than previous ones. Second, we have been told that there appears to be less play now. There are really no statistics to determine whether this is true but the assumption is often made based upon the increase or decrease in the number of entries in APTA tournaments. I’m not sure that is an accurate gauge. I believe recreational and league match play are still as strong as they ever were. However, no matter how you look at it, the market for platform tennis balls is very small. I’ll bet the Spauldeen (that pink handball) out sells it 100,000 times.

Recognizing the market for balls is small and, if it is shrinking, even one supplier may not be able to make a sufficient amount of profit to remain in the ball supply business and price the ball at a reasonable level. More than one supplier might even have the opposite effect. Instead of the price coming down with competition, the price might go up as each vendor gets a smaller portion of the market making their costs increase. I’ll have to check out those economics with Alan Greenspan.

Viking has not used its “near monopoly” position to price the balls unfairly. The main profit (after embroidering) has to be in selling the racquet. Yes, the cost of a ball has increased (haven’t a lot of things) but it is still very competitive with our cousin, (lawn) tennis. That sport usually uses a container of three balls for a three set recreational match at a cost of approximately $2.30. One platform tennis ball lasting for three sets retails for about $2.50.

I don’t know if Viking contributed monetarily or otherwise to the APTA to obtain this endorsement. It would certainly seem that the Association should have requested some consideration. On the other side, what happens if Viking decides to go out of the platform tennis business? By not providing an incentive for another supplier to become the “Official Ball” of the Championships, the Board has greatly reduced the chances that another enterprise would get involved in the production of balls.

I don’t want this to be interpreted as a “knock” on Viking or David Kjeldsen. His heart is definitely in the right place. He loves the sport as much or more than I do. But the “bottom line” is still one of economics. You have to sell your products at a profit or you will not be able to continue in business.

I don’t want to be gloomy but maybe it would be prudent for the APTA to purchase a large life insurance policy on Mr. Kjeldsen. If I were still on the APTA Board I would recommend it. He is that valuable to the sport and would be difficult (and costly) to replace him.

Let’s also hope for the excellent financial health of Viking Athletics, Ltd. At this point we need them more than they need us.

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