Tennis promoter faces felony worthless check charge

Asheville Citizen-Times sports reporter extraordinare Keith Jarrett has a hot follow on the debacle of a tennis event that was held earlier this year. Remember when were were told that Andre Agassi was coming to town for a tennis exhibition? It didn't happen, and it looks like some people didn't get paid. The event promoter is pictured above, photo-ed by me, at the event.

From Keith's story:

ASHEVILLE — An Asheville promoter was charged Monday with a felony issuance of a worthless check to a pro tennis player.

Brian Woods, who brought a tennis exhibition to the Asheville Civic Center on Aug. 28, is charged with writing a check to Ashley Harkleroad for $3,750 that was returned because of insufficient funds.

“It wasn't like I intended to write a worthless check,” Woods said Monday night after he was released on a written promise to appear in a Buncombe County court today.

“I contacted them and told them I would get the money to them as soon as possible, but I couldn't work out anything because they started making threats.”

Woods, president of W Sports Marketing in Asheville, announced plans this summer to bring prominent tennis players Marat Safin and Novak Djokovic plus Harkleroad to the Civic Center, with ticket prices ranging from $49-$200.

Harkleroad, who played against Roberson High standout MayaBlue Stauffer-MacDowell in the exhibition, has been ranked as high as 39th in the world and posed for Playboy magazine in 2008.

The tennis exhibition was billed as the Grand Slam of Asheville, and Woods later announced that retired legend Andre Agassi would replace Djokovic as Safin's opponent.

Comments

[restless]

It looks as if no one was there. All the empty seats. Sheesh, no wonder he doesn't have the dough to pay the bills. I feel sorry for the guy but it seems as if he was in over his head from the start.

[Ash]

restless, there were very few people there overall, and fewer still who actually paid for a ticket to watch the tennis. really sad. and i agree with completely about him being in over his head.

[bwoodsfanclubNOT]

Ya know, you reap what you sow! ...... Implementation of good values goes a long way! Hope you get off soon! HA ;);)

[greenashevilleblogspot.com]

What a joke! Who's gonna pay that kind of money to see the same quality you can see at Aston Park for free? Somehow it doesn't surprise me that this happened in Grand Scam Asheville!

[Orbit DVD]

You should always go into one of these events with the expectation that you will lose money, especially if you are trying to bring something new to town.

[smart one]

THIS GUY IS A CON ARTIST, HE HAS TRIED TO DO THIS AGAIN WITH AN MMA FIGHT. STAY AWAY