In an era of corporate sports, John Korff (MBA '77) is a throwback to the days of the maverick impresario. A promoter of sporting events, hot-air balloon festivals, and other extravaganzas, he is the founder of the A&P Tennis Classic, a women's professional tournament in Mahwah, New Jersey. He's also a man on something of a mission — to get the sports-marketing business to lighten up and make big events more fun for all involved.

Describing Korff as an ultramarathoner and "offbeat 48-year-old Deadhead bachelor," the Newark, New Jersey, Star-Ledger (July 12, 2001) observed, "For 24 years, Korff has worked to shrink the widening chasm between sports fans and their heroes by turning his [tennis] event into a week-long food and music festival." Explained Korff, "If you take big-time athletes and put them in a family-friendly environment where the fans can have real access to the tennis players, that's unique." In addition to her matches, a player in Korff's tournament might find herself on stage dancing with the Beach Boys, participating in a Frisbee-throwing contest, whacking souvenir tennis balls into the crowd, or having a Q&A session with fans.

A once-hostile tennis establishment is beginning to see things Korff's way. In 1989, Korff parted company with the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) because it wouldn't allow him to invite then 13-year-old Jennifer Capriati to his event. But in 1999, the WTA asked Korff to join its board, while the Players Association chose him for its business advisor. Although his business has its ups and downs and there's a constant scramble to arrange sponsorships, Korff said, "I'd much rather be scared than bored."

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