BB&T to Extend Sports Sponsorships With Atlanta Tennis Championships

It looks like the three-year wait for a title sponsor at the Atlanta Tennis Championships is just about over.

Banking giant, BB&T will be the title sponsor this year for the ATP 250 event that begins July 14 in Atlanta.  A formal announcement is expected this week, and this is nothing but good news for tennis fans in the South.

After two years in the North Metro suburbs, the event this year has found a home at Atlantic Station, where skyline views and ample shopping and restaurant options will potentially attract even more fans to the event that has featured some of the best tennis players in the world as they prepare for the U.S. Open.

BB&T is no stranger to sports sponsorships as they are the official bank of the Atlantic Coast Conference, and are the primary sponsor of Richard Childress Racing's No. 31 car driven by Jeff Burton.

They also have a 10-year deal with Wake Forest University for the naming rights at their football stadium, now called BB&T Field.

It's a natural fit, BB&T has a large presence in Metro Atlanta and banks and financial institutions can reach customers and potential customers by partnering with professional tennis tournaments.

Top-10 player Mardy Fish is the two-time defending champ of the Atlanta Tennis Championships.  Americans Andy Roddick, John Isner and Jack Sock have already committed to the 2012 event.

More details to come...

Update on Monday, April 23, 2012 at 11:15AM by Rick C.Limpert

I guess we can now call it the BB&T Atanta Open.

The Twitter account has changed names and you can follow the tournament at @BBTatlantopen