Uniroyal will be the official tire of the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) under an exclusive, two-year sponsorship agreement between the PBA and Michelin North America Inc.
The new agreement provides tournament entitlement of the PBA Uniroyal Classic, set for March 3-7 in Indianapolis, Ind.
Michelin will sponsor three PBA Tour players -- Michael Haugen Jr., Brian Kretzer and Tony Reyes -- on its Uniroyal "Team Championship" roster. The team is one of many competiting for a season-long, $100,000 championship.
Other PBA sponsors include Miller Brewing Co., Pepsi Cola, Banquet Foods, Baby Ruth, Days Inn, GEICO Direct, Jackson Hewitt Tax Services, Bayer, Odor-Eaters, Dexter Footwear, Cambridge Credit Counseling, the American Bowling Congress, Storm Bowling Products and Wild Turkey Bourbon.
"We are proud to join the PBA as "Official Tire Of The PBA Tour," says Tim Jamison, Uniroyal 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 on October 8. During 2002, television ratings of PBA events grew 6% on ESPN. Tournament entries increased more than 35%.
