Financial Freedom. Best business news.

The U.S. Tennis Association has acquired Cincinnati's Western & Southern Masters tennis tournament from nonprofit Tennis for Charity, and plans to make it more of a national event.

Terms of the deal weren't disclosed, according to Sports Business Journal, a Dayton Business Journal sister publication, and it still needs an OK from the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP). Tennis for Charity will continue to own the Women's Open event.

Paul Flory, who runs the Warren County tournament, will retain a minority interest and continue to play a major role, according to the story. The tournament is negotiating with its sponsor, Western & Southern Financial Group, for a renewal.

Arlen Kantarian, USTA chief executive of pro tennis, told the Sports Business Journal that it planned to expand the tournament's broadcast hours on ESPN2, move the finals to CBS, boost marketing and upgrade the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, where the event takes place.

The deal doesn't include the tennis center, which sits on 89 acres near the Kings Island theme park no fax payday loan. The USTA will lease the property from Tennis for Charity.

Flory said in the story that the nonprofit wanted a partner to finance up to $20 million in needed capital improvements.

"We had one intent, and that is to build the event," he said.

The Western & Southern Masters tournament was held from July 25-Aug. 3. The Women's Open, a Tier III event on the international Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, will take place Aug. 9-17.

The tournaments have provided more than $7.7 million in charitable contributions since they began in 1974.