For tennis and golf, tournaments without fans come at a cost

FILE - In this Aug. 27, 2017, file photo, players practice for the U.S. Open tennis tournament at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York. When he first contemplated the prospect of a U.S. Open without fans because of the coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. Tennis Association’s chief revenue officer figured there was no way it could work. Lew Sherr eventually came around to embracing the idea of a closed-door Grand Slam tournament -- if it’s held at all; a decision is expected in the next two weeks -- because it still could make money even if millions were forfeited with zero on-site receipts from tickets, hospitality, food and beverage or merchandise sales. (AP Photo/Peter Morgan, File)

FILE - In this Sept. 10, 2015, file photo, workers clean the empty stands in Arthur Ashe Stadium after the women's semifinal matches were postponed because of rain at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York. When he first contemplated the prospect of a U.S. Open without fans because of the coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. Tennis Association's chief revenue officer figured there was no way it could work. Lew Sherr eventually came around to embracing the idea of a closed-door Grand Slam tournament -- if it's held at all; a decision is expected in the next two weeks -- because it still could make money even if millions were forfeited with zero on-site receipts from tickets, hospitality, food and beverage or merchandise sales. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens, File)

FILE - In this May 31, 2020, file photo, cars speed past empty stands during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tenn. Tennis and golf tournaments could be in real financial trouble if they are held without spectators because of the coronavirus pandemic. The biggest team leagues such as the NFL and NBA seem to be in good shape because they derive most of their money from TV contracts worth billions each season. NASCAR also relies mainly on broadcast rights fees. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)