Bed-Stuy tennis coach loses concession rights on Jackie Robinson Courts

Frances Ferdinand is a beloved coach and Brooklyn native who says she has fully engulfed herself into the community since her start on the court in 2019. But she recently lost her concession rights at Jackie Robinson Courts to the highest bidder in a silent bid.

"Everybody is upset because, again, we really do use this park. there is tai chi that happens here," Ferdinand told News 12. "There is so much that we do in this park, and there is so much that I do in this park and in the neighborhood that it just feels like that access has been torn away from us again.”

Ferdinand says she wanted to carry on the legacy of her former coach and build a love for tennis within the walls of a strong community.

In a statement to News 12, the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation states, "At Jackie Robinson Park Playground, the permit applies to only one of the tennis courts; the other courts are available for regular tennis use, including free tennis instruction. Paid tennis instruction without a permit is not allowed, nor are operators allowed to advertise paid tennis instruction if they were not awarded the permit."

News 12's Daniella Rodriguez spoke to Ferdinand and some of the community members who say they are devastated about the rights changes.