The New Indian Wells: Larry Ellison, Robert Lansdorp, Free Mojitos

Big news: Larry Ellison, Mojitos, Robert Lansdorp – not necessarily in that order.

If you follow the fortunes of my favorite pro tournament – that would be Indian Wells – you know it seems there are major changes almost every year. First, the tournament almost went to China, but was saved at the last moment. (Click Here.) Then it didn’t have a sponsor, but became the BNP Paribas Open, again barely in time. (Click Here.)

But this year the news is bigger than ever, because in January one person bought the whole tournament – that’s right bought Indian Wells, 100%. That person is Larry Ellison.

America’s Cup in February, Indian Wells in March.

In case you don’t know who Larry Ellison is, his real business is a company called Oracle, which, I have been told, is the world’s largest software company. Oracle is to business software what Microsoft is to your personal computer, except Oracle products tend to actually work. If you follow sailing, he’s the same guy who has been trying for years to win the America’s Cup. And just this February, he finally did it, in Spain, sailing probably the most hi-tech racing boat ever created, a tri-maran…