Communication Buildup: WTA, ATP, Tennis Channel Sign Alliance With Verizon
Wednesday, May 7, 2025 at 01:49PM By Barry Janoff
May 7, 2025: Led Zeppelin had a “Communication Breakdown.”
Call this a “Communication Buildup.”
Describing it as a “shining example of how we can work together across tennis to create value for partners,” the Hologic WTA Tour, ATP Tour and Sinclair’s Tennis Channel today unveiled a multi-year partnership with telecommunications company Verizon.
The regional sponsorship spans Hologic WTA Tour and ATP Tour events in the U.S, — including the ATP-WTA Masters 1000 BNP Paribas Open (Indian Wells, CA) and Miami Open presented by Itaú — with Verizon becoming the official telecommunications partner to each Tour.
Under the agreement, Verizon secures category exclusivity in the 5G wireless space.
Financial terms were not shared.
“This partnership with Verizon is a big step for the ATP,” Daniele Sano, chief business officer, said via the ATP. “It’s our first-ever telecommunications partner, which says a lot about the momentum behind tennis right now.
“It’s also a great example of how we’re shaping partnerships in new ways — built for brands looking for a single entry point into the sport. Verizon is a household name with deep credibility, and their investment in our sport will help bring tennis closer to fans across the U.S.”
The ATP, WTA and Sinclair said the agreement “creates a seamless solution for brands to engage with tennis fans wherever audiences consume the sport, including onsite, on-air and online, allowing for a continued brand narrative across the season.”
Sponsors will now have access to both the ATP Tour and Hologic WTA Tour calendar of events in the U.S., and all of Sinclair’s Tennis Channel properties — including Tennis Channel, TennisChannel 2 (FAST), the Tennis Channel app and Web site, and other digital platforms — under a single, comprehensive sponsorship package.
Participating U.S.-based ATP and WTA tour events include ATX Open (Austin, Texas), Delray Beach Open (Fla.), BNP Paribas Open (Indian Wells, CA), Miami Open presented by Itaú, Fayez Sarofim & Co. U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship (Houston), Credit One Charleston Open, Mubadala Citi DC Open (Washington), Cincinnati Open, Tennis in the Land powered by Rocket (Cleveland) and Winston Salem Open presented by Truist Bank and Flow Automotive. 
“This innovative partnership is a shining example of how we can work together across tennis to create value for partners,” Marina Storti, CEO of WTA Ventures, said via the commercial arm of the WTA.
“Just a few weeks after the launch of a bold new brand identity for the WTA, it is great to be taking yet another positive step for women’s tennis by welcoming Verizon to the WTA’s partner portfolio.”
The agreement also grants Verizon integrated access to Tennis Channel’s distribution ecosystem.
This includes exclusive content placements across Tennis Channel’s app, studio desk branding, T2 streaming (FAST) network, and Tennis.com, creating an unprecedented consolidated platform to engage with tennis audiences across the season.
“We’ve spoken to many marketers and there was a consistent theme to the challenges of the fragmentation of the sport,” Eric Welles, Verizon chief sports and digital monetization officer, said via the company. “This concept will revolutionize ways brands can access tennis, similar to the way other professional leagues operate with their rights partners.
“Verizon is an ideal partner, as they have led the way across many of the leagues in bringing together their brand with the respective sport and unlocking unprecedented experiences for the fans.”
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