Back to press releases
  • Press release
  • Tennis

BNP Paribas becomes title sponsor of “BNP Paribas Taste of Tennis” in New York City

BNP Paribas today announced it has become the title sponsor of the 2008 Taste of Tennis (www.bnpparibastasteoftennis.com). Taste of Tennis is an annual exclusive celebrity food tasting event in New York City. The event, produced by AYS Sports Marketing and benefiting The Food Bank for New York City, is set for Thursday, August 21st at the W New York Hotel.

This sponsorship will make BNP Paribas the only title sponsor for the star studded event. This year's lineup includes tennis superstars Andy Roddick, Jelena Jankovic, Lleyton Hewitt, Robby Ginepri, along with acclaimed chefs and food personalities such as Alfred Portale and John Delucie.

BNP Paribas has been involved with tennis for 35 years when the Bank began sponsoring Roland Garros (the French Open) in 1973. Since then, the bank has constantly strengthened its commitment to support tennis both locally and worldwide. The Bank has been title sponsor of the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas since 2001, of the Fed Cup by BNP Paribas since 2005, and of the BNP Paribas Masters since 1986, as well as other major international tournaments including the WTA Bank of the West Classic in California, the Master Series Monte Carlo and the Internazionali BNL d”Italia.

The title sponsorship of the 2008 Taste of Tennis will allow BNP Paribas to reach scores of tennis fans in the U.S. and allow them to become familiar with the bank and their initiatives.

Michele Sicard, Head of Corporate Communications for BNP Paribas in North America said “We are delighted to partner with AYS Sports Markets and become the title sponsor of this prestigious event. BNP Paribas's commitment to tennis is one of the longest in the history of the sport. It reflects the lasting relationship of trust that we develop with our clients every day.”

BNP Paribas and tennis
In 2008, BNP Paribas will be celebrating the 35th anniversary of its partnership with tennis. Since 1973, BNP Paribas has been actively involved with the sport and has constantly strengthened its commitment since then--to support it both worldwide and locally, in family and school settings, and as a social activity.
As a result, BNP Paribas has historically been a privileged partner in all aspects of tennis: as an Official Sponsor of the French Open for 34 years, and a sponsor of the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas since 2001, of the Fed Cup by BNP Paribas since 2005, and of the BNP Paribas Masters since 1986, as well as other major international tournaments (WTA Bank of the West Classic in California, Master Series Monte Carlo, BNP Paribas Women's Open in Strasbourg, Grand Prix de Lyon, etc.). BNP Paribas also supports tennis at the local level in France, with 550 tournaments, including the Trophée BNP Paribas de la Famille, various training programmes developed by the Fédération Française de Tennis, and Yannick Noah's association Fête le Mur.

About BNP Paribas:
BNP Paribas (www.bnpparibas.com) is a European leader in global banking and financial services and is one of the 4 strongest banks in the world according to Standard & Poor's. The group is present in over 85 countries, with almost 163,000 employees. The group holds key positions in three major segments: Corporate and Investment Banking, Asset Management & Services and Retail Banking. Present throughout Europe in all of its business lines, the bank's two domestic markets in retail banking are France and Italy. In the United States, BNP Paribas employs 15,000 people including 2,500 employees in its Corporate and Investment Banking as well as Asset Management and Services businesses which are headquartered in New York. It is also present in other financial hubs throughout the United States including Chicago, San Francisco, Dallas, Houston, Miami and Boston. BNP Paribas also operates a retail banking business through its subsidiary Bank of the West with over 700 branches in the Western US.