Sybase spokesperson Paula Dunn said that Sybase Corp.
has not made a decision on whether it will continue to be
title sponsor of San Jose's Sybase Open ATP tennis
tournament beyond '01. Reports have Pacific Bell, the
tournament's "second-largest sponsor," being interested in
taking the title role of the tournament if Sybase opts out.
The tournament takes place February 26-March 4 at the San
Jose Arena. It is the first West Coast tournament of the
'01 season and the second stop on the U.S. tour (BUSINESS
JOURNAL OF SAN JOSE, 12/15)....Meanwhile, in Houston, Jody
Goldstein reports the U.S. Clay Court Championships are
"moving" from Orlando to Houston next May. The tournament
will offer $400,000 in prize money. USTA Dir of Pro Tennis
David Brewer said that the tournament moved from Orlando
"due to Disney's decision to cut back on professional sports
in favor of amateur events at its complex." Houston's
Westside Tennis Club signed a five-year deal for the
tournament (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 12/21). Also in Houston,
Dale Robertson writes that Gallery Furniture Owners Jim and
Linda McIngvale led the effort to bring the tournament to
Houston and "are on the hook for only $650,000 annually,
everything included" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 12/21).
MBNA ON BOARD WITH USTA: MBNA has signed a long-term
deal to become the official credit card issuer of the USTA.
MBNA will issue the USTA MasterCard affinity card, the USA
Tennis MasterCard and a future USTA Foundation MasterCard.
A percentage of every transaction will fund community tennis
programs in the USTA's 17 section offices (MBNA).
