FedEx Extends Sponsorship of PGA TOUR's FedExCup
Competition
Five-year agreement runs through 2017 season
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. and MEMPHIS, Tenn., February
22, 2012…The PGA TOUR and FedEx Corp. (NYSE:
FDX) today announced a five-year extension of the shipping
giant's umbrella sponsorship of the FedExCup, effective
2013 through 2017.
The FedExCup, which fundamentally changed the PGA
TOUR structure by introducing a season-long competitive and
promotional platform in 2007, will continue to offer $35
million in total bonus money to players based on their
finish in the points standings, including $10 million to
the winner. Beginning in 2013, the four-tournament PGA TOUR
Playoffs for the FedExCup will be officially called the
FedExCup Playoffs.
"Since its inception in 2007, the FedExCup has
transformed the competitive landscape on the PGA TOUR and
significantly benefitted all of our stakeholders," said PGA
TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem. "It makes every FedExCup
event more meaningful, adding substantial value to our
tournaments, title sponsors and television partners.
Most importantly, the FedExCup offers our fans
more ways to engage in our sport and get excited about our
players week in and week out.
"We are thrilled that FedEx has had such a positive
experience with the FedExCup and will continue its
sponsorship through 2017," Finchem continued. "We look
forward to working with FedEx to continue the growth and
impact of the competition in these coming years."
"The FedExCup has been a very effective way for FedEx
to engage in the community and reach our customers over the
last five years," said T. Michael Glenn, executive vice
president of Market Development at FedEx. "One
of the most significant dividends of our FedExCup
commitment has been that it allows us to support national
and local charities, such as the St. Jude's Children's
Hospital through the FedEx St. Jude Classic, in a very
hands-on manner."
FedEx has built advertising and promotional campaigns
around its sponsorship of the FedExCup as well as creative
activation surrounding the Playoffs. As part of the
extension, FedEx will continue to advertise in PGA TOUR
telecasts and other media outlets and become further
integrated into the PGA TOUR's digital and global
endeavors. FedEx also plans to continue its
business-building initiatives at tournaments in key
markets.
The FedExCup Playoffs have provided fans the
opportunity to see golf's greatest players compete at the
highest level in four Playoff events that result in a
climactic and exciting conclusion to the season.
"We've had a terrific list of champions with two-time
winner Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh, Jim Furyk and 2011
champion Bill Haas, who won in such dramatic fashion last
year in a playoff at the TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola,"
Finchem noted. "We look forward to more exciting finishes
to the FedExCup in the years to come."
In addition to the FedExCup, longstanding involvement
with FedEx and the PGA TOUR dates back to 1986 when it
became title sponsor of the FedEx St. Jude Classic. FedEx
announced last May an extension of its tournament
sponsorship through 2014. FedEx expanded its involvement
with the PGA TOUR in 2002 by becoming an Official Marketing
Partner and then added the FedExCup in 2007 with the
original six-year agreement.