Statoil replaces Aegon as Masters title sponsor

NORWEGIAN ENERGY company Statoil has signed as title sponsor of the Masters Tennis event at the Royal Albert Hall, London for the next three years in a deal brokered by IMG.

 

The event, formerly known as the Aegon Masters, will now be known as the Statoil Masters Tennis until at least 2014.

 

Statoil, which is present in more than 30 countries around the world, is making its first venture into sport in the UK to sponsor the Statoil Masters Tennis.

 

“Our company supplies energy to UK homes and work places from many different sources including wind power, natural gas and oil,” explained John Knight, Statoil’s executive vice president, Global Strategy and Business Development. “We are, in fact, one of the most significant importers of natural gas to the UK.”

 

Statoil’s partner company Statkraft, Knight added, recently invested more than £1 billion in the Sheringham Shoal wind power project in Norfolk.

 

“Our sponsorship of the Statoil Masters Tennis gives an opportunity for people in the UK to get to know us better and for us to make a broader contribution to UK society,” he said.

 

The Statoil Masters Tennis is part of the ATP Champions Tour – a circuit of former World Number One tennis players, Grand Slam singles finalists and Davis Cup winners.

 

Last week Statoil announced that rising British tennis star and IMG client, Heather Watson had signed an agreement to be an ambassador for the brand and its “Heroes of Tomorrow” programme.

 

 

By Matthew Glendinning

Follow Matthew on Twitter: @mattglen