BNP Paribas North America CEO Jean-Yves Fillion on Saturday "wasn't able to say what the future held" in regards to how long his company will title-sponsor the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden, but "if the history of the company is an indication, it will probably be a while," according to Shad Powers of the Palm Springs DESERT SUN. The Paris-based bank is in the seventh year of its deal with the tourney, which runs through '18. Fillion, speaking a day before this year's tourney wrapped up, said tennis "fits really well what the bank is about, in terms of sportsmanship, fair play, dedication, and self-improvement." He added, "The tournament is also a fantastic opportunity to see amazing tennis, of course, but also spend quality time with the clients, clients coming from all over the place, and quality time with investors." Powers noted BNP Paribas "is everywhere in Europe, but is trying to expand its footing in North America and Asia." Fillion said that having the name attached to the fifth-largest tournament in the world "certainly helps that cause." He said, "We are extremely ambitious in the U.S. Reinforcing the name and the brand is critical, and tennis is an excellent medium to do this. To associate yourself with such a fantastic event, you just need a window to do it. And the relationship has been excellent." Powers wrote with the "extra headlines" this year surrounding Serena Williams' return to the event, the bank's name "was sent across the airwaves and printed in newspapers even more than ever this year." Fillion said that this type of exposure "doesn't hurt, but that he doesn't root for such things" (Palm Springs DESERT SUN, 3/22).
EVENT SETS ATTENDANCE RECORD: This year's version of the BNP Paribas Open concluded yesterday with a "record total attendance" of 456,672 fans (Palm Springs DESERT SUN, 3/23). Yesterday's final session, which featured Novak Djokovic beat Roger Federer and Simona Halep up-end Jelena Jankovic in the finals, drew a crowd of 16,988, above capacity at the 16,100-seat main stadium. The total crowds are up 24,145 from last year, and Indian Wells is "closing in on attendance at the French Open, the lightest-attended Grand Slam" (L.A. TIMES, 3/23).
