The Western & Southern Open shines a global spotlight on Greater Cincinnati each year, and Western & Southern Financial Group (Western & Southern) is proud to be the title sponsor for the 18th year — the longest title sponsorship of the nine worldwide prestigious ATP Masters 1000 events.
“The Western & Southern Open is truly a world-class event that brings national and international recognition and incredibly positive economic impact to Greater Cincinnati,” said John F. Barrett, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Western & Southern Financial Group. “We’re proud to be title sponsor and help keep this terrific tournament such a valuable part of our community.”
The event’s worldwide visibility and economic impact are significant. The tournament is televised in 165 countries, and visitors from all 50 states and 25 countries help generate more than $68 million in economic impact. In 2018, nearly 13,000 patrons attended the final session alone, setting a Western & Southern Open Sunday record.
The tournament is also an opportunity for giving back to the community. It has donated $11 million since 1974 to nonprofits such as Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, the Barrett Cancer Center at the University of Cincinnati, and Tennis for City Youth. Western & Southern’s title sponsorship helps ensure that the tournament can continue these philanthropic endeavors.
As title sponsor, Western & Southern provides popular fan activation programs during the tournament. These include the Coin Toss, where fans win the chance to flip the coin on court before a match, and the Western & Southern Experience, which presents fans with the opportunity to receive an autograph from a star player face to face.
Hosted at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio, the event is the nation’s oldest professional tennis tournament still played in its original city. ESPN commentators at the 2019 Wimbledon talked about what makes the Western & Southern Open so special. “The [Western & Southern Open] has gotten bigger and better every single year,” said Mary Joe Fernández Godsick, ESPN tennis analyst. “It’s one of my favorite tournaments.”
