NEW YORK (AP) Billie Jean King's summer tennis league just got a boost from ESPN.
World Team Tennis and ESPN agreed Tuesday to a four-year deal to stream 20 matches live annually on ESPN3 and show the final July 27 on ESPN2.
King's coed league enters its 39th season with new ownership members Venus Williams and Andy Roddick. Williams will attempt to lead the Washington Kastles to their fourth straight WTT title, while Roddick will play for the new Austin Aces.
The Aces will face another new team, the San Diego Aviators, in the opener July 7. The next night, the Aces will feature 2013 Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli.
Mylan WTT CEO Ilana Kloss says the partnership will help introduce more fans to the league and ''gives us a broader platform to showcase the best in professional team tennis.''
