WESTERN & SOUTHERN OPEN IN CINCINNATI RENEWS TITLE SPONSOR

Written by: Staff on 24th April 2012

WESTERN & SOUTHERN OPEN IN CINCINNATI RENEWS TITLE SPONSOR |

The Western & Southern Open has extended its relationship with the Western & Southern Financial Group for three more years to keep the Cincinnati-based company as title sponsor of the city’s prestigious professional tennis tournament through 2014.

The parties did not disclose the specific terms of the three-year, multimillion-dollar deal. The Western & Southern Financial Group has been the tournament’s title sponsor since 2002.

“The Western & Southern Open is a world-class event that brings national and international recognition and incredibly positive economic impact to Cincinnati. We’re proud to continue our title sponsorship and help keep this terrific tournament such a valuable part of our community,” commented John F. Barrett, President, Chairman and CEO of the Western & Southern Financial Group.

As title sponsor, the company receives a number of benefits including tournament naming-rights, court signage and television broadcast elements. In recent years, the company has launched popular fan activation programs such as the Coin Toss where fans win the chance to flip the coin on court before a match, and the Western & Southern Experience, which presents fans with the opportunity to receive an autograph from a star player face to face.

“Western & Southern has been a true partner of the event for more than a decade,” remarked tournament Chief Executive Officer Elaine Bruening. “It’s a perfect marriage between an iconic Cincinnati company and our historic event, first played here in 1899.”

“The Western & Southern Open is the marquee event during the Emirates Airline US Open Series which brings the biggest names in the game to a passionate tennis audience,” said Gordon Smith, USTA Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director. “With such an active and committed title sponsor in Western & Southern, this great tournament is poised for even more success in the years to come.”

The United States Tennis Association (USTA) is a majority owner of the Western & Southern Open, which is one of only five events in the world, outside of the Grand Slams, to host a top-tier men’s and women’s event during the same week at the same venue. The other events of this stature are in Indian Wells, Madrid, Miami and Rome. The tournament is played at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, OH, which is the only tennis facility in the nation outside of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center to have four permanent stadiums. The facility is in the final year of a three-year, $24 million expansion.

The event is the nation’s oldest professional tennis tournament still played in its original city. Past champions include legends like John McEnroe, Virginia Wade, Bill Tilden and Margaret Court. More recently, Roger Federer, Andre Agassi and Maria Sharapova have captured titles.

“It’s always been one of the most important stops on the tour each year,” said 4-time champion Federer. “They have a great history and some of the most passionate and knowledgeable tennis fans in the world.”

Sharapova, the defending women’s champion, added: “”I’ve experienced great success in Cincinnati and I’m excited to see the event continue to grow.”

Tickets are on sale now at www.cincytennis.com for the 2012 event.