Jim's Bio

Jim Bates

Partner

Jim is one of the founding partners at Sports Club Advisors. With a rich background as an M&A consultant, a seasoned sports and fitness expert, an entrepreneur, and an author, Jim is regarded as an industry thought leader.

Boasting over three decades of involvement in tennis and fitness clubs, Jim’s journey began at age nine with competitive tennis, leading to an NCAA D-I scholarship at Western Illinois University, where he garnered team Captain, team MVP, and All-Conference honors.

His post-collegiate path led him to a professional stint as a tennis pro at elite clubs, followed by an MBA from his alma mater, where he also contributed as an assistant coach for the tennis teams. He maintains three tennis professional credentials from the Professional Tennis Registry, and he also works for the USTA as a member of their Global CardioTennis Trainers Team.

With twenty-five years post-MBA, Jim has carved a niche in investment banking, while continuing to be actively involved in the racquet sports industry. He was part of the team that founded The Exit Planning Institute, and his literary contributions include co-authoring “Business Valuation for Dummies” published by Wiley & Sons in 2009.

Jim has been involved in dozens of deals with a cumulative value exceeding $300 million.

Education:

BB – Economics, Western Illinois University (1990)
MBA – Concentrations in Finance and Marketing, Western Illinois University (1998)

Awards, accolades and other professional responsibilities:

USTA Cardio Tennis Trainer
Midwest Business Brokers and Intermediaries Collaboration Award, 2006
Professional Tennis Registry Member of the Year for Illinois, 2012
Midwest Business Brokers and Intermediaries Collaboration Award, 2014
Professional Tennis Registry – State of Illinois Representative
Professional Tennis Registry – Faculty Member
Professional Tennis Registry – Conference Facilitator, Director of Tennis Conference

Memberships of professional organizations:

Professional Tennis Registry – holder of three certifications:
- High Performance
- 11 – 17
- Adult Development
USTA Coaching
Professional Pickleball Registry – Certified Instructor
United States Tennis Association

Writing:

Co-Author, “Business Valuation for Dummies”, Wiley Publishing, 2009
Contributed numerous articles published in TennisPro magazine and Tennis Industry magazine on a variety of different business topics for club owners.

Speaking:

Tennis and Fitness:

2013 PTR Director of Tennis Conference
2015 PTR Director of Tennis Conference
2014 TIA Owners and Managers Conference
2015 TIA Owners and Managers Conference
2016 TIA Owners and Managers Conference
2017 TIA Owners and Managers Conference (Specialty Course)
2018 TIA Owners and Managers Conference (Specialty Course)
2018 PTR Director of Tennis Conference (Conference Co-host and Speaker)
2019 PTR Director of Tennis Conference (Conference Co-host and Speaker)
2025 PTR Midwest Conference
2026 IAPPF Conferece at RacquetX
2026 PTR Midwest Conference

Speaking (Other):

Summer 2017 – “Strategic Management for Sports Clubs”, a 6-part webinar series for Tennis Industry Association
March 2016 – “How Valuation effects Exit Planning”, Internal Presentation at Northwestern Mutual’ s “Elite” Wealth Management Group, NWM Headquarters, Milwaukee, WI
September 2010 – Webinar: “A New Way to Look at Business Value”, The Exit Planning Institute
November 2009 – “How Buyers View your Business”, University of Chicago – Graduate School of Business, Entrepreneurial Roundtable Event, Chicago, IL
March 2007 – “Taking Care of Business”, Dealer Conference for Nationwide Manufacturer/Distributor of Commercial and Residential Overhead Doors, Champaign, IL
November 2005 – “Maximizing Value”, Northern Trust “Family Business Breakfast Series”, Chicago, IL
May 2004 – “Valuing A Cash Business”, Midwest Business Brokers & Intermediaries Seminar “How to Buy & Sell Businesses”, Chicago, IL
April 2004 – “Business Appraisal 101”, Masonry Contractors Association of America, “MCAA Showcase”, Chicago, IL
October 2003 – “Business Appraisal 101”, Refrigeration Services Engineering Society, “RSES National Convention”, Nashville, TN
February 2002 – “Business Appraisal 101”, Masonry Contractors Association of America, “MCAA Showcase”, Phoenix, AZ