Wilson & ITF Expand Partnership
Wilson to Become Official Ball of Fed Cup and Extends Davis Cup SponsorshipFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Melanie McGeough
8700 W. Bryn Mawr
Chicago,
773-714-6703
MMcGeough@wilson.com
04/05/06 - Chicago, IL -- The International Tennis Federation (ITF) and Wilson Sporting Goods have announced a new three-year deal that names Wilson the Official Ball of Fed Cup and extends Wilson’s existing Davis Cup partnership through 2008. The new agreement starts with the 2006 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas World Group first round ties and Zonal group events the week commencing April 17.
Fed Cup is the largest annual international team event in women’s sport with 89 nations entered in 2006. The agreement with Wilson runs from 2006-2008 and gives the company on-site exposure at every Fed Cup tie played throughout the year.
ITF President Francesco Ricci Bitti said: “We are delighted that the ITF’s relationship with Wilson continues to grow. The company has shown a great commitment to the ITF and its activities for several years, and to tennis in general. Wilson’s partnership with Fed Cup is a further boost for the competition following its successful year in 2005.”
“We are proud to reaffirm our support and commitment to the ITF and to Davis Cup, one of the major highlights on the international sports calendar,” said Brian Dillman, GM of Wilson Racquet Sports. “It gives me great pleasure to witness the continued evolution of our relationship with the ITF as we now expand into an exciting new sponsorship with Fed Cup.”
Wilson began their relationship with the ITF in 2002 when they became the official ball of Davis Cup. With nearly 140 teams competing annually, Wilson has enjoyed tremendous on-site presence at every Davis Cup tie throughout the world during the past four years. Under this new agreement, Wilson is now the official ball to Davis Cup, Fed Cup and the ITF’s junior team competitions at the under 14 and under 16 level. In addition, Wilson is also the exclusive supplier of tennis rackets, shoes, clothing and accessories to the ITF Development Coaching Team.
About Fed Cup
Fed Cup by BNP Paribas is the largest annual international team competition in women’s sport, with 89 nations entered in 2006. The event was founded in 1963 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the ITF. BNP Paribas (Official Bank of Fed Cup) became title sponsor at the 2005 World Group Final at Roland Garros in Paris. Wilson Sporting Goods (Official Ball) becomes a new international partner. Follow all the action on www.fedcup.com
About Davis Cup
Davis Cup by BNP Paribas is the largest annual international team competition in sport with 133 nations entered in 2006. The title sponsor is BNP Paribas, the Official Bank of Davis Cup. International sponsors are Adecco (Official Recruitment), Fossil (Official Watch), Getronics (Official ICT Sponsor), Hugo Boss (Official Men’s Fashion Clothing
Sponsor), Kia Motors (Official Car) and NH Hotels (Official Hotel). International partners are NTT Communications (Official Managed Hosting Partner) and Wilson Sporting Goods (Official Ball). Follow all the action on www.daviscup.com
About Wilson Racquet Sports
Wilson Racquet Sports is a division of Chicago-based Wilson Sporting Goods, one of the world's leading manufacturers of sports equipment and owned by Amer Sports. Wilson designs, manufactures and distributes sporting goods throughout the world and focuses on making technologically advanced products which help all players play better. Wilson's core sport categories include: Football, Basketball, Baseball, Volleyball, Soccer, Youth Sports, Uniforms/Apparel, Golf, Footwear and Racquet Sports (Tennis, Racquetball, Squash, Badminton and Platform Tennis). For more information, visit www.wilson.com.
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Links:
www.wilson.com
For further press inquiries:
Communications Department,
International Tennis Federation
Tel: +44 (0)20 8878 6464
Fax: +44 (0)20 8392 4747
communications@itftennis.com
