ST. PETERSBURG, FL, USA - The WTA announced a deal with Chinese clothing brand Erke on Wednesday.
Erke will be the official partner and supplier of sports apparel for all on-court officials at the 2012 and 2013 editions of the TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships in Istanbul. That includes chair umpires, linespeople, ball kids and on-court TV camera crew.
"We are excited to partner with Erke as we showcase women's tennis to the world at our season-ending TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships in Istanbul," said Stacey Allaster, Chairman and CEO of the WTA. "Our year-end Championships will serve as a spectacular stage for Erke to continue to grow its brand to an international audience."
"ERKE has been focused on tennis marketing for many years. To ERKE, tennis is more than a sport; it is the best alignment of ERKE's brand culture," said Wu Rongguang, Chairman and President of the ERKE. "The partnership with the TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships is a perfect stage to show the ERKE brand image to the world."
Since 2009, Erke has signed sponsorship agreements with several WTA players, including Yanina Wickmayer and Vania King. Already Official Apparel Partner of the ATP's Shanghai Masters tournament from 2009 to 2013, Erke's deal with the WTA marks another milestone in its strategy to be a force not just in the booming Chinese tennis market, but internationally.
The 42nd edition of the WTA Championships will be from October 23-28. Tickets are available online or at Biletix ticket counters in Turkey.
