“At the beginning, it was just an idea, talking and discussing on long car rides with my agent Tony [Godsick].” Roger Federer has repeatedly expressed his pride in the Laver Cup. What began as a bold idea to honor Rod Laver has become one of the most prestigious tournaments on the calendar, blending spectacle, team spirit, and global star power. But does Federer really have ownership of the Laver Cup?
Roger Federer and TEAM8: Founders of the Laver Cup
Well, Roger Federer co-owns the Laver Cup. The Laver Cup originated as an idea to create a Ryder Cup-style team event for men’s tennis. Federer, together with his agent Tony Godsick and the boutique firm they co-founded (TEAM8), developed the concept and drove early planning and funding. Godsick later became the TEAM8 CEO and the chairman of the Laver Cup. He has been a principal operator from day one, managing the business and commercial rollout while Federer provided the sporting and brand pull.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The Laver Cup was simply another addition to Federer’s portfolio of ownerships and investments. But with sold-out stadiums and rising viewerships, this simple investment became a massive highlight in the tennis world. So, if Federer doesn’t really have complete ownership over Laver Cup, how does the ownership structure look?
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Laver Cup Ownership Structure: TEAM8, Partners, and Visionaries
TEAM8 is the principal backer or creator of the Laver Cup. The company is the majority driver of the tournament’s commercial strategies. And that means Godsick and Federer, the co-founders of the boutique firm, have the final say in commercial decisions. Apart from the duo, the ATP also has a multi-year certification and operational partnership. And that’s one of the biggest achievements of the tournament.
Weighing in on the partnership with ATP, Godsick previously stated, “We are delighted to continue our partnership with the ATP… Their recognition validates the Laver Cup vision, which is to bring together the world’s top players – rivals year-round – as teammates, to celebrate and honour the legendary Rod Laver and his compatriots, while growing interest in this wonderful sport at new destinations around the world.”
But wait… There’s more to the partnership story. Rolex became the founding partner for the tournament. And as the Laver Cup began rising, Arnaud Boetsch, the Director of Communication and Image for Rolex, proudly asserted the continuation of the company’s partnership with the Laver Cup. And it wouldn’t have been possible without the involvement of the Brazilian businessman, Jorge Paulo Lemann, and Tennis Australia.
After all, these two are the entities that helped create the tournament. More recently, Tennis Australia has collaborated with the Laver Cup organization in media and broadcast ventures. For example, for the 2024 edition held in Berlin, EMG / Gravity Media collaborated with Tennis Australia to deliver parts of the media coverage for the event.
Additionally, Mercedes-Benz and UBS have joined hands as legacy partners for the tournament. And these partnerships are for multiple years. To top it off, the Laver Cup receives sponsorships from Alipay+, Perplexity, Genesys, Flexjet, BOSS, DAOU Vineyards, and many more brands.
That multi-entity architecture explains why Federer is rightly seen as a founder and the tournament’s most visible champion — but not its sole legal owner. TEAM8’s stewardship and Federer’s continuing role (brand, influence, occasional appearances) have been catalytic to growth. At the same time, commercial governance, ATP alignment, and sponsor/investor agreements distribute control and revenue across separate entities. This structure has helped the Laver Cup scale into a multimillion-dollar, commercially sustainable property. Let’s dig a bit deeper into Federer’s role in the tournament’s success.
Roger Federer’s Enduring Influence on Laver Cup’s Success
Federer’s global stature allowed TEAM8 to recruit top players, attract sold-out arenas, and secure blockbuster media interest in the Cup’s early years. Bringing in players like Casper Ruud, Carlos Alcaraz, and others was catalytic in further enhancing the tournament’s legacy. But it all began with Roger Federer as the face of the Laver Cup. Even the organizers explicitly credit Federer’s global popularity and trusted brand relationships for opening doors with world-class sponsors.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Away from the headlines, Federer’s commercial vehicle TEAM8, along with Tony Godsick, translated that sporting cachet into a sustainable business model. They negotiated ATP certification, long-term media rights, and multi-year sponsor agreements that let the Cup scale without being a one-man show.