USTA Foundation Named Official Charity of BNP Paribas Showdown
StarGames Inc. and MSG, promoters of the eighth annual BNP Paribas Showdown and World Tennis Day, have announced that the USTA Foundation, the national charitable organization of the United States Tennis Association (USTA), has been selected as the official charity of the BNP Paribas Showdown for the second consecutive year.
The Showdown at Madison Square Garden (MSG) will take place March 10. This year’s event will feature 17-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer, rising star Grigor Dimitrov and tennis legends Monica Seles and Gabriela Sabatini.
The BNP Paribas Showdown and World Tennis Day serve as an opportunity for the USTA Foundation to increase awareness and messaging for the sport through multiple means including video board signage, on-court presentations and PA announcements. With the help and support of its newly appointed chairman, former world number four James Blake, the USTA Foundation will extend its reach to the thousands of MSG fans and supporters in attendance as well as those watching on ESPN2.
One of the major highlights of the evening yet again will be the development of a piece of artwork. This year the celebrated painter Cortney Wall will be the guest artist.
Wall is one of a very few women sports artists in the United States and has painted legendary athletes from Mickey Mantle to Michael Jordan. While the tennis stars produce their strokes on court, Wall will work her brushstrokes to paint the tennis players for the first time. Her method is very entertaining to watch with an original painting depicting various elements of the Showdown to be completed by the end of the event. Fans will have an opportunity to bid via an auction for the original and unique work.
“The USTA Foundation is proud and honored to once again be a part of this spectacular event,” said Dan Faber, executive director of the USTA Foundation. “The BNP Paribas Showdown is a great opportunity for us to further our mission of impacting the lives of children through tennis and education programs.”
Sports marketing and entertainment company StarGames along with MSG are donating an exclusive VIP opportunity for two to attend the 2015 BNP Paribas Showdown. The luxury package will be auctioned off for the first time in a worldwide auction and the proceeds will be donated to the USTA Foundation.
The package includes courtside, front row tickets, an opportunity to participate in a tennis clinic with one of the Showdown’s four players and an invitation to attend a pre-match hospitality party that is expected to attract Federer, Dimitrov, Seles and Sabatini. Also part of the package, the highest bidder will take home two tickets to attend the 2015 US Open.
This package is open for bidding via www.charitybuzz.com/WorldTennisDay—the auction will close on March 4, 2015. In addition, Wall’s painting also will be available via a unique worldwide live auction during the BNP Paribas Showdown, again on www.charitybuzz.com/WorldTennisDay. For complete auction details go to www.charitybuzz.com.
“We are very excited about this opportunity and to have Cortney Wall’s skills on show," said Jerry Solomon, CEO of StarGames. "The BNP Paribas and World Tennis Day have become firmly entrenched in the tennis calendar and this year’s events promise to once again be tremendous fun and yet another superb platform for tennis. StarGames and MSG are once again proud to be connected with the USTA and USTA Foundation.”
“The support of StarGames and MSG goes a long way in emphasizing the importance of our mission. This will truly be a remarkable night where we can come together and showcase to the incredible tennis fans of New York City the many elements that tennis can bring to those in need.”
The USTA Foundation supports programs nationwide that leverage tennis, education and life skills to prepare under-resourced youth for college and beyond. To date, the Foundation has awarded more than $19 million, benefitting thousands of children and adults through tennis, education, and health programs and college scholarships.
Tickets for the BNP Paribas Showdown, March 10, are available the Madison Square Garden Box Office or through any Ticketmaster outlet.
