Contacts:
For Immediate Release Baltimore, August –Continuing a tradition of reinvesting in the communities it serves, PNC Bank has announced its new title sponsorship of Pam Shriver’s annual charity tennis tournament. PNC, which recently completed its purchase of Mercantile Bankshares Corporation in March, has agreed to a multi-year deal to sponsor one of Baltimore’s longest standing charitable sporting events. To reflect the new partnership, the event now boasts a new name and identity: “PNC Tennis Classic presented by The Baltimore Sun,” announced tournament organizers. The 2007 Tennis Classic will feature former US Open Champion, Andy Roddick, and the world’s No. 1 ranked doubles team, American brothers Bob and Mike Bryan, at the 1st Mariner Arena on October 9, 2007 at 7 PM. The format for the event will include a doubles challenge match with the Bryans; a feature singles match with Roddick; plus local sports celebrities from the Orioles and Ravens mixing it up with the tennis pros in a pro-celebrity doubles match, billed the Orioles Challenge. “I am pleased to welcome PNC to a very loyal and committed Tennis Classic family of supporters,” Tournament Chairman and Founder, Pam Shriver, said. “I’m thrilled to partner with an organization that shares our vision in investing for a brighter future for our children. It’s so amazing to be able to celebrate our new partnership with the best and brightest stars in tennis. Andy and the Bryan Brothers will be sure to be real crowd pleasers.” Celebrating its 22nd year, the Tennis Classic has raised more than $4 million for needy children’s charities under the guidance of the Baltimore Community Foundation, a publicly endowed nonprofit organization. Both Shriver and PNC share many of the same philanthropic passions and hope to make big strides and reach new heights in their combined community efforts. “PNC welcomed the opportunity to be associated with Pam Shriver and an event with such a successful track record for helping children’s charities,” commented Mike Reid, PNC regional president for Greater Baltimore. -more- Roddick, currently ranked No. 4 in the world, is among the leaders in the US Open Summer Series and hopes to springboard his recent victory at the ATP Tour event in Washington, DC earlier this month towards another US Open title. Already with eight ATP doubles titles to their name, the Bryan’s are also looking towards a victory at this year’s US Open to add to their record-breaking season. The PNC Tennis Classic presented by the Baltimore Sun has become one of the region’s premier charitable sporting events. The Tennis Classic is scheduled for October 9 at Baltimore’s 1st Mariner Arena. Tickets are on sale now though all Ticketmaster outlets including the 1st Mariner Arena, or by calling Ticketmaster Phonecharge at 410-547-SEAT (7328). Sponsorship and ticket information can be obtained by calling the Tournament Office at (410) 296-2929 or via the web at www.pnctennisclassic.org. The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (www.pnc.com) is one of the nation's largest diversified financial services organizations providing consumer and business banking; specialized services for corporations and government entities, including corporate banking, real estate finance and asset-based lending; wealth management; asset management and global fund services. ### |