WTT Washington Kastles

The OSC Interview: Washington Kastles Owner Mark Ein

by Fran Stuchbury
Published on July 23, 2015 under World TeamTennis (WTT)
Washington Kastles


OurSports Central contributor Fran Stuchbury spoke to Washington Kastles founder and owner Mark Ein following their game against the Philadelphia Freedoms at the Pavilion in Villanova. Ein is an investor and entrepreneur, involved in ownership and management of a number of companies, including Kastle Systems, LLC, which manages security systems for commercial buildings. The Washington Kastles joined World Team Tennis back in 2008 and have won the King Trophy (WTT Championship) five times, (2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014) over a seven year period.

Fran Stuchbury: What interested you in bringing a World TeamTennis franchise to Washington?

Mark Ein: This is such an unbelievable opportunity to do something in my community. The sport of tennis has meant so much to my life, and the chance to give it back to the place where I grew up was an opportunity I couldn't pass up.

FS: How do you like working with WTT Co-Founder Billie Jean King and what she has done for the sport of tennis?

ME: It's such an honor and privilege to get to work with Billie. She is a legendary icon; she deserves all the accolades, and she has been incredible for the sport of tennis.

FS: You have had so many marquee players on the team that include Martina Hingis, Venus Williams, Serena Williams and others. Are players happy to be part of this team?

ME: I think players do love playing for the team. We have a lot of marquee players but what makes it most special to me are the core players that play every single night, like Leander Peas. Martina Hingis was with us last season all season long. That's what really makes it special is the team and the core people, playing night in, night out over three weeks.

FS: How much of an accomplishment for the franchise is winning the King Trophy four straight years?

ME: It's been really special. On the court the team has great chemistry, and off the court the support in our community has been incredible and they feed off each other. The better we do on the court, the more our community loves it and the more our players feel that support and they raise their game.

FS: Do the Kastles have a lot of involvement in the community?

ME: Hugely, that's really the cornerstone of our team, giving back to the community. We do a lot of things: we give out 1,000 free racquets every year, and we bring a couple hundred kids every night to the matches. That is what our franchise is all about.

FS: In 2014, the team moved into the Kastles Stadium at the Smith Center at George Washington University. How do you like playing there?

ME: It's been a great home for us; it's a great environment, very intimate, seats right on top of the court. Our players love it. We increase our capacity, our ticket sales have been up 25 percent year over year. It's been a home run for us, a great home.

FS: For fans that have not been to a Washington Kastles game why should they attend?

ME: It's the greatest experience in sports, if you love tennis you get to see some of the world's greatest players as close as you can ever see them. Even if you are not a tennis fanatic, you are going to get to see and root for your home-town team and see men and women in singles, doubles and mixed. It's all done in two and a half hours. I think tennis is the greatest sport.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



World TeamTennis Stories from July 23, 2015


The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central