PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla., and DULLES, Va. – April 19, 2004 – The ATP, the governing body of the men’s professional tennis circuit, today announced an alliance with America Online, the world’s leading interactive services company, to provide comprehensive access to an array of multimedia tennis content specially developed for AOL® for Broadband members. Under the agreement, the ATP will provide specially produced video, audio and editorial content from up to 25 ATP Tournaments to AOL® for Broadband members at no additional cost. A portion of the content will also be made available at no cost to AOL® dial-up members.
‘We’re pleased to have secured a relationship with a company like AOL, which has established itself as the global leader in online services as well as in innovative sports programming, and which offers a large membership base with whom we can provide our unique ATP content,’ said Chris Clouser, President, ATP and CEO ATP Properties. ‘This new agreement will bring tennis fans closer to ATP players than ever before through unique programming and content. We’re thrilled AOL recognizes that ATP tennis content will enhance its already impressive programming lineup.’ Under the new agreement, ATP will provide AOL for Broadband members access to a variety of multimedia content, including:
Video Highlights Package: Up to 3 minutes of match highlights for 20 ATP Tournaments, press conferences, and other non-match related video content;
Audio Clips: Up to 2 audio clips per tournament from players at 25 ATP Tournaments;
Tennis Timeouts: One-on-one interviews between award-winning host Roy Firestone and top ATP players.
Also, as part of the agreement, AOL will become the official ISP of the U.S. broadcast of the Tennis Masters Cup—the season finale co-owned by the ATP, ITF and the Grand Slams—to be held for the second consecutive year in Houston, Texas, from November 13-21.
‘We are excited about our new relationship with the ATP and its athletes as it furthers our commitment to providing our broadband members with the most comprehensive and compelling sports content available on the Internet,’ said Carlos Silva, Senior Vice President, AOL® News and Sports. ‘The ATP’s content is a great fit for our members and helps extend AOL’s broadband leadership in multimedia sports offerings available online. With our diverse and rich programming, AOL Sports has become a premier broadband destination for sports and entertainment fans.’
Shawn Hardin, Senior Vice President, Broadband Product and Programming, said: ‘AOL for Broadband provides members with a wide variety of multimedia entertainment, including on-demand video, live music performances, exclusive sports content, and movie and television clips. By adding ATP multimedia content to our broadband offerings, we further enhance the online experience for our members.’
The ATP and ATP Properties have experienced unprecedented momentum in 2004, with several major business agreements announced within the past two months, including global partnerships with INDESIT of the Merloni Elettrodomestici, Lacoste and Luxilon Industries, maker of the popular ‘Big Banger’ strings used by more than 30 of the Top 100 players on the ATP circuit. Together with ATP premier partner Mercedes-Benz, these leading brands join others including Lotto Sport Italia, Club Med, Waterford Crystal, Penn, Greenset and Profile Pursuit as key commercial partners of the ATP.
For more details contact:
ATP VP Corporate Communications David Higdon
dhigdon@atptennis.com
+1-904 285 8000