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.