BNP Paribas, FFT Renew 44-Year Partnership For Roland Garros

The French Tennis Federation (FFT) and BNP Paribas announced the renewal of their long-term partnership, with BNP Paribas remaining the official and principal sponsor of the French Open through '21. The partnership started in '73. FFT President Jean Gachassin said, "In the world of sports sponsorships, the duration of this partnership is almost unparalleled: Roland Garros and BNP Paribas will be celebrating 44 years of mutual cooperation at the 2017 event" (BNP Paribas). SPORTBUZZ BUSINESS' Alexandre Bailleul reported BNP Paribas "will not renew its title sponsorship with the Paris Masters 1000 tournament." A BNP Paribas source said, "BNP Paribas is proud to have been the title sponsor of the Paris Masters 1000 since 2001. Today, in Paris, BNP Paribas made the choice to concentrate its efforts on supporting the ambitious transformation of the Grand Slam that is Roland Garros" (SPORTBUZZ BUSINESS, 2/13).