In a significant move poised to reshape the commercial landscape of professional tennis in the United States, the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) and the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) have announced a groundbreaking multi-year strategic partnership with Verizon.
The telecommunications leader has been unveiled as the official telecommunications partner for both Tours at premier events across the U.S., marking a historic first for the ATP in this sponsorship category.
This collaboration, which officially commenced at the 2025 BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells this past March, is a cornerstone of the newly launched “Tennis Enterprises” initiative. Spearheaded by Sinclair Broadcast Group and its subsidiary Tennis Channel – the U.S. home of tennis – Tennis Enterprises is designed to offer brands a singular, comprehensive gateway to engage with the sport’s extensive and passionate American audience.
Under the terms of this expansive agreement, Verizon secures category exclusivity in the 5G wireless space. The company will gain prominent brand visibility across a slate of prestigious U.S. tournaments, including the ATX Open (Austin), Delray Beach Open, Miami Open presented by Itaú, Fayez Sarofim & Co. U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship (Houston), and the Credit One Charleston Open. The partnership will also extend to future tournaments such as the Mubadala Citi DC Open, Cincinnati Open, Tennis in the Land powered by Rocket (Cleveland), and the Winston-Salem Open presented by Truist Bank and Flow Automotive.
Industry leaders hailed the partnership as a pivotal development. Daniele Sano, ATP Chief Business Officer, said, “This partnership with Verizon is a big step for the ATP. It’s our first-ever telecommunications partner, which says a lot about the momentum behind tennis right now. It’s also a great example of how we’re shaping partnerships in new ways, built for brands looking for a single entry point into the sport. Verizon is a household name with deep credibility, and their investment in our sport will help bring tennis closer to fans across the U.S.”
Marina Storti, CEO of WTA Ventures, added, “This innovative partnership is a shining example of how we can work together across tennis to create value for partners. Just a few weeks after the launch of a bold new brand identity for the WTA, it is great to be taking yet another positive step for women’s tennis by welcoming Verizon to the WTA’s partner portfolio.”
Sinclair Chief Business Officer, Consumer Products, JR McCabe continued, “Through a single sponsorship platform, Sinclair is redefining how brands engage with audiences and delivering a unified opportunity for advertisers to connect with fans throughout the season of tennis. This marks another step in Sinclair’s ongoing expansion beyond traditional broadcasting, reinforcing our commitment to providing customised, innovative solutions for partners.”
Verizon Chief Sports and Digital Monetisation Officer, Eric Welles, concluded, “We’ve spoken to many marketers and there was a consistent theme to the challenges of the fragmentation of the sport. This concept will revolutionise ways brands can access tennis, similar to the way other professional leagues operate with their rights partners. Verizon is an ideal partner, as they have led the way across many of the leagues in bringing together their brand with the respective sport and unlocking unprecedented experiences for the fans.”
A key component of the partnership is Verizon’s integrated access to Tennis Channel’s expansive distribution ecosystem. This will include exclusive content placements across Tennis Channel’s digital application, prominent studio desk branding, visibility on the TennisChannel 2 (T2) free ad-supported streaming (FAST) network, and features on Tennis.com, creating a consolidated media platform for engaging tennis fans throughout the season.
Verizon, a leading global communications company, adds the ATP and WTA to its impressive sports portfolio, which already includes major entities such as the UFC, FIFA, Hard Rock Stadium, the Miami Dolphins, and South Florida Motorsports (SFM). This strategic alliance is set to enhance the fan experience and provide Verizon with unparalleled access to the U.S. tennis market.