Washington, DC-based Insurer Elevates Support for US Open Series Event
WASHINGTON, DC (14 June 2004) – The Legg Mason Tennis Classic announced that GEICO has signed on as the presenting sponsor of the 2004 Legg Mason Tennis Classic, a US Open Series Event on the ATP tour. This move elevates the company from the category of Official Sponsor to that of Presenting Sponsor for the next three years (2004-2006). GEICO will now be recognized as the “exclusive and official automobile insurance provider” for the event that takes place from August 14-22, at the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center in Washington, D.C. Further terms of the deal were not announced.
"GEICO is pleased to be the presenting sponsor for this year's Legg Mason Tennis Classic. We have supported the tournament and the Washington Tennis & Education Foundation (WTEF) for the past 10 years," said Ted Ward, Vice President of Marketing for GEICO. “WTEF is just one of many organizations where GEICO gives its time, energy and resources, to make this a better place for the champions of tomorrow. Investing in our community is the best insurance policy for the future."
"GEICO is the number one auto insurer in the DC metro area and has been a fixture in the nation's capital since its founding in 1936,” said Jeff Newman, Tournament Director. “Therefore, we are particularly pleased that they’ve chosen to build on their long relationship with the Legg Mason Tennis Classic by becoming our presenting sponsor.”
A portion of the proceeds from the Legg Mason Tennis Classic benefits the WTEF. The WTEF, which is the owner and beneficiary of the tournament, seeks to improve the life prospects for DC area youth, particularly those from lower-income communities, through tennis, educational and community based activities that teach discipline, build self-esteem and improve academic performance.
The 2004 Legg Mason Tennis Classic will feature two of the best in the game, Andre Agassi and Lleyton Hewitt, who returns for his first visit since his rookie season (1998). To order ticket packages or for more information, please call 202.721.9500. Single session tickets are available through TicketMaster.
GEICO’s three-year commitment as Presenting Sponsor comes on the heels of Legg Mason’s previously-announced four-year extension of their title sponsorship of the Legg Mason Tennis Classic presented by GEICO, which began in 1994. Legg Mason, Inc., headquartered in Baltimore, is a holding company that provides asset management, securities brokerage, investment banking and related financial services through its subsidiaries. (www.leggmason.com)
About GEICO
GEICO (Government Employees Insurance Company) is the number one private-passenger auto insurer in the D.C. metro area, and the fifth-largest nationwide. It provides auto insurance coverage for more than 5.5 million policyholders and insures more than 8.8 million vehicles. GEICO uses television, radio, print media and direct mail to attract customers to call its 1-800-841-3000 number and visit its Web site, and keeps its rates low by dealing directly with the customer. GEICO offers sales and claim services 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For more information, go to www.geico.com.