Breaking: Tech giant Verizon signs multi-year deal with WTA and ATP, becoming official telco partner to both tours in the U.S., teaming up with Sinclair’s Tennis Channel for unparalleled fan engagement across tournaments in Indian Wells, Austin, and more. This groundbreaking partnership, brokered by Sinclair, unifies tennis sponsorship, offering brands a consolidated platform to reach fans throughout the season. Verizon, WTA, ATP, and Sinclair executives hail the deal, marking WTA’s latest step in driving women’s tennis progress and ATP’s first-ever telecommunications partnership.
Heads Up: Tennis’ Big Leagues Just Scored Big with Verizon
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ennis fans, prepare for a connectivity revolution. The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) and the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) have joined forces with telecommunications giant, Verizon, in a multi-year partnership that’s set to transform the sport’s digital landscape in the United States.
Verizon Hits an Ace with U.S. Tennis Sponsorship
The deal, brokered by Sinclair and its subsidiary Tennis Channel, sees Verizon become the official telecommunications partner to both Tours. Kicking off at the 2025 BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Verizon’s event portfolio spans nine prestigious tournaments, including the ATX Open, Charleston Open, and Cincinnati Open.
“This innovative partnership is a shining example of how we can work together across tennis to create value for partners,” said Marina Storti, CEO of WTA Ventures. Danielle Sano, ATP Chief Business Officer, echoed her sentiment, “It’s our first-ever telecommunications partner, which says a lot about the momentum behind tennis right now.”
Sinclair: Revolutionizing Tennis Sponsorship
Sinclair’s Chief Business Officer, JR McCabe, revealed that this partnership marks another step in the company’s ongoing expansion beyond traditional broadcasting. “Through a single sponsorship platform, Sinclair is redefining how brands engage with audiences and delivering a unified opportunity for advertisers to connect with fans throughout the season of tennis.”
“Did you know?”
Sinclair’s Tennis Channel is the U.S. home of tennis, broadcasting major events like Wimbledon, the U.S. Open, and Roland-Garros.
Verizon’s Grand Slam Plan for Tennis Fans
Eric Welles, Verizon’s Chief Sports and Digital Monetization Officer, indulged in some serve-and-volley analogies to describe the partnership: “We’ve spoken to many marketers and there was a consistent theme to the challenges of the fragmentation of the sport… This concept will revolutionize ways brands can access tennis, similar to the way other professional leagues operate with their rights partners.”
What This Means for Tennis Fans
In essence, Verizon’s investment in tennis paves the way for enhanced fan experiences. Expect exclusive content placements across Tennis Channel’s app, studio desk branding, and a wider presence on Tennis.com. With Verizon leading the way in 5G technology, we could also be on the cusp of a new era of immersive, real-time tennis coverage.
FAQs: Your Questions Answered
Q: When does Verizon’s sponsorship kick off?
The partnership launched in March 2025 at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.
Q: Which tournaments are included in Verizon’s event portfolio?
Verizon’s event portfolio spans nine U.S. tournaments, including the ATX Open, Charleston Open, and Cincinnati Open. See the full list above.
Q: How will Verizon’s partnership impact fan experiences?
Verizon’s investment promotes enhanced fan experiences, such as exclusive content placements, studio desk branding, and potentially immersive, real-time tennis coverage via 5G technology.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Sports Partnerships
This bold, innovative partnership between the WTA, ATP, Sinclair, and Verizon sets a new standard for sports sponsorships. As fans crave more personalized, interactive experiences, expect to see other sports following suit with their own connectivity-focused deals.
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