BNP Paribas will become the longest-running title sponsor in the history of the Indian Wells eventGETTY IMAGES
BNP Paribas has "extended its title sponsorship" of the ATP/WTA event at Indian Wells through '23, according to Andrew John of the Palm Springs DESERT SUN. The French bank began its deal in '09, and "over the course of the new five-year agreement," it will become the "longest-running title sponsor in the event’s history." BNP Paribas also "announced that it will increase its commitment to tennis and education in the Coachella Valley by increasing its number of annual scholarship recipients from two to three." In addition to the Indian Wells event, BNP Paribas is an official sponsor of the French Open, Davis Cup, Fed Cup, two other ATP events (Rome, Monte Carlo) and another WTA event (year-end finals in Singapore). The bank also "sponsors numerous other ATP World Tour and WTA tournaments, exhibitions, amateur, wheelchair, and community and tennis initiatives." BNP Paribas Open Tournament Dir Tommy Haas said, "We are looking always to expand, continue to grow, and make this event a world-class event, and to have your partnership means the world to us" (Palm Springs DESERT SUN, 3/19).
WISH THEY ALL COULD BE CALIFORNIA: BNP Paribas USA CEO Jean-Yves Fillion said of extending the Indian Wells deal, “This is one of the very best tournaments in the world. California is very important to us ... through our Bank of the West affiliate in California. We have a strong presence in the fabric of California as well as being really supportive of tennis in Europe, in Asia. I think being part of this wonderful journey with BNP Paribas Open over the last 10 years is very, very meaningful to the bank" ("Tennis Channel Live," Tennis Channel, 3/18).
