The WTA Tour announced yesterday that Corel Corp., the
Ottawa-based developer of PC graphics and multimedia software,
has been signed to a multiyear, multimillion dollar sponsorship
deal. Under the agreement, Corel will become worldwide title
sponsor of the WTA Tour. The "Corel WTA Tour" debuts November
13-19 at the Tour Championships at Madison Square Garden in New
York. WTA Tour CEO Anne Person Worcester: "This is an important
date in the history of women's tennis" (WTA Tour). The OTTAWA
CITIZEN reports the deal is for three years at $4M a year. For
its part, Corel will receive "extensive international on-court
exposure -- signs, net posts, patches on players' tops -- and
television coverage." In addition, Corel will help the WTA
establish a Web site and assist with other promos, including
player profiles on CD-ROM. Corel CEO Michael Cowpland: "This
will turn Corel into a household name. Right now, we're No. 2
behind Microsoft for software." Cowpland expecially noted the
possibilities in Japan and the Far East." The deal also means
the likelihood of women's tennis returning to network TV.
Cowpland met with officials from Fox on Tuesday and he is
"certain" the network will televise all U.S.-based WTA Tour
events (Martin Cleary, OTTAWA CITIZEN, 10/12).
WHAT NEXT? Corel may "try to enlist the assistance of
publishing firms to help market the tour," according to Reynolds
and O'Loughlin of INSIDE MEDIA. Corel reportedly sent out a
proposal to a "number of computer publishers and magazine
companies in late August to gauge their interest in being
assigned certain tour marketing rights and amenities in exchange
for millions of dollars worth of pages in the magazines" (INSIDE
MEDIA, 10/4-18 issue).
