One of the most prestigious tournaments on the calendar, the event that gave the world the Federer-Nadal team-up, was a culmination of many brains. But at the very core of it, there remains one honest intention: “It’s important to leave a legacy for the legends.” That came from Roger Federer and his respect for Rob Laver.

Talks and discussions on long car rides between Federer and his agent, Tony Godsick, soon turned the idea into a blend of spectacle, team spirit, and global star power that it is today. But does Federer really have ownership of the Laver Cup? 

Roger Federer and TEAM8: Founders of the Laver Cup

Two companies are responsible for the operations of the Laver Cup — Trident8 (UK) and Team8 (US holding company). The latter of the lot was the boutique firm co-founded by Federer and Godsick, who went on to become the CEO of TEAM8 and chairman of the Laver Cup. Considering the 20-time Grand Slam champion is still a client at the agency and on good terms, it’s only natural that he holds equity. Meaning, by extension, Federer could co-own the Laver Cup.

The tournament originated as an idea to create a Ryder Cup-style team event for men’s tennis. Federer, together with Godsick, developed the concept and drove early planning and funding. The now-CEO has been a principal operator from day one, managing the business and commercial rollout while Federer provided the sporting and brand pull– he brought all seven sponsors linked to him when the Cup kicked off in 2017. 

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?  

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. That means Godsick and Federer, the co-founders of the boutique firm, have the final say in commercial decisions. But it isn’t just the duo. 

In 2016, USTA committed $6 million for a 20% non-controlling interest in Trident8, and three years later, in 2019, ATP hopped on for a multi-year certification and operational partnership. It was renewed in 2024. 

Weighing in on the partnership, 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. With it’s ascension, also came assurance: Arnaud Boetsch, the Director of Communication and Image for Rolex, proudly asserted the continuation of the company’s partnership with the Laver Cup in 2025. Tracing back the steps, though, 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 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 (Vehical sponsor) and UBS (Financial Service) have joined hands as legacy partners for multiple years. To top it off, the Laver Cup receives sponsorships from Alipay+, Perplexity, Genesys, Flexjet, BOSS, and DAOU Vineyards, among 16 others.  

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.  

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.

His idea? Federer revealed that it was “To pay tribute to the past generation, bring in the new generation and then morph it all together Ryder Cup style with a concept that would work over the weekend.” Now, as Federer enters an ambassadorial role, we can certainly expect the San Francisco project to be a massive success. The signs are already showing with a sold out crowd, and an expectation for the revenue to surpass $33 million.