SEATTLE (Nov. 11, 2003) — Michelin North America Inc. has signed a two-year deal with the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) designating Uniroyal the official tire of the PBA Tour.
The new agreement provides tournament entitlement of the PBA Uniroyal Classic, to be held March 3-7 in Indianapolis. The deal also will give Michelin another means to provide information on its Uniroyal products, the Greenville, S.C.-based tire maker said.
Uniroyal Tire will sponsor three PBA Tour players, and that team will have a season-long competition with other sponsor teams and vie for a $100,000 championship. Uniroyal Tire team members include Michael Haugen Jr., Brian Kretzer and Tony Reyes.
“We are proud to join the PBA as the official tire of the PBA Tour,” said Tim Jamison, Uniroyal Tire brand director. “This is the perfect opportunity to sponsor a great sport and reach a key target audience for our brand.”
The 2003-2004 PBA season began Oct. 8. During 2002, television ratings of PBA events grew 6 percent on ESPN, according to the PBA, while the association's membership increased 20 percent and tournament entries expanded by more than 35 percent.