IBM Inks Four-Year Extension Deal With USTA For U.S. Open Tennis
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IBM Manages U.S. Open's Web Site,
On-Site Scoring System, Umpire Technology |
IBM has renewed its U.S. Open tennis sponsorship in a four-year deal that will see IBM spend around $20M "in rights fees, advertising and back-office infrastructure" through '12, according to Daniel Kaplan of SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL. IBM has been a partner of the U.S. Open since '92. USTA Chief Business Officer of Professional Tennis Pierce O'Neil: "It is a difficult economy out there and we know people are cutting back, and to have a partner like IBM renew, that bodes well for us." Kaplan reports the tournament allows IBM, "in addition to branding ... to show off its technology expertise to clients." IBM manages the event's Web site, which last year had 39 million visits during the tournament, "handles the on-site scoring system, and even provides technology for the umpires." IBM VP/Client Exec Marketing Rick Singer "would not say how many clients IBM entertains other than to say that it's more than dozens." Singer added that a "big twist this year will be running the system on 40[%] less energy." O'Neil negotiated the sponsorship renewal with Singer and said that IBM is "contracted to advertise on CBS Sports' telecast of the Open and is currently in discussions with ESPN2 about their coverage." Kaplan notes IBM recently renewed with Wimbledon at an "increased fee, cementing the company as the only sponsor of all four of the tennis Grand Slams." IBM also sponsors The Masters and U.S. Open golf tournament (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 7/20 issue).
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