Time running out for WTA to clinch sponsorship deal

By Martyn Herman

DOHA (Reuters) - The Women's WTA Tour could be looking for a new sponsor after Sony Ericsson confirmed on Sunday that they had still not decided to extend their current commitment past 2010.

Sony Ericsson, the mobile phone company, has sponsored the women's Tour since agreeing a six-year deal worth $88 million in 2005 but the deadline for renewing its partnership is rapidly approaching and no agreement has been reached.

"The deadline to respond to the renewal is the end of this year," Aldo Liguori, Sony Ericsson's corporate vice-president and head of global communications, told reporters on the final day of the $4.5 million Tour Championships.

"We still have a little bit of time left. I can certainly confirm we are looking at it very carefully. We are looking at our sponsorship seriously.

"We haven't made any decision yet, and all options are open. We will announce the decision alongside our partner at the appropriate time. That's all that I can say today because as of today we've not made any decision."

Stacey Allaster, the chairman and chief executive of the WTA, said 2009 had been a good year for women's tennis.

"We've had good attendance. We've actually had an 11 percent increase in attendance for our premier events, which we think is fantastic, particularly when you look at how other events and leagues have done in 2009," she said.

"We know how tough it's been. But prize money increased 34 percent and we had over $750 million of new stadiums open. All of that in a challenging economy."

(Editing by Alison Wildey; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)