Landmark Partnership Includes Sports Medicine for 250 of the World’s Best Tennis Players And First Aid for Nearly 200,000 Fans
CINCINNATI (March 17, 2014) – The Western & Southern Open and UC Health announced today the details of an expanded, multi-faceted partnership making UC Health the “Official Medical Services, Health Care and Sports Medicine Provider” of the annual international tennis event.
The Western & Southern Open is one of only five tennis events in the world, outside of the grand slams, where the best men and women play during the same week at the same venue. The tournament is played at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, OH. The event is scheduled for August 9-17, 2014.
UC Health will provide medical service and sports medicine for the more than 250 athletes that compete each year at the event. The athletes include such international icons such as Roger Federer and Maria Sharapova, along with dozens of other grand slams winners, their coaches and entourages. The players compete for a prize money purse that exceeds $6 million.
“We are thrilled to expand our partnership with The Western & Southern Open by providing our world-class medical care to the tournament’s world-class players. This is a perfect match on and off the court and underscores the strength of UC Health’s sports medicine program and expertise in providing advanced specialty care,” said Richard P. Lofgren, MD, President & CEO, UC Health.
On the fan side, UC Health will operate from a freestanding, state-of-the-art “UC Health First Aid Center” that was constructed on the venue in 2012. In 2013, 187,183 fans attended the nine-day event. Fans attend the event from all 50 states and more than 30 countries. The event has hosted more than 5.2 million fans since moving to its current venue in 1979.
The expanded partnership represents one of the most extensive sponsorships in the history of the Western & Southern Open, second only to the longstanding title sponsorship with the Western & Southern Financial Group, for which the tournament is named. Exact terms of the deal will not be released.
“In managing an international sporting event with world-class athletes and guests from across the globe, we are excited to fully align with UC Health, which is on the cutting-edge on so many healthcare fronts and one of the true flagship companies in our community,” remarked Vince Cicero, Chief Operating Officer and Tournament Director of the Western & Southern Open.
Other elements of the partnership include expanded and more extensive branding opportunities at the tournament site as well as nationally-broadcast television spots on ESPN2 and the Tennis Channel, courtside signage, integration through digital and social media channels and other promotional applications.
Tickets for the Western & Southern Open went on sale to the general public March 4. Fans can get more information or order tickets by visiting cincytennis.com or calling the tournament at 513.651.0303.
