Text by Tom Yantz, Hartford Courant; video by Tim Lammers, FOX CT
HARTFORD – Travelers has reached an agreement with the PGA Tour to extend its title sponsorship of the Travelers Championship through 2024, it was announced on Thursday morning.
The announcement of the 10-year contract was made by PGA Tour Commisioner Tim Finchem Thursday at a press conference at The Connecticut Convention Center.
The previous contract was through the tournament June 19-22 at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell. The tournament purse is $6.2 million, a $1.8 million increase since TravelersCompanies, Inc. took over as title sponsor for the 2007 tournament.
Finchem, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, Travelers Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Jay Fishman, Travelers Executive Vice President & Chief Administrative Officer Andy Bessette and tournament director Nathan Grube spoke at the press conference.
“We have no better partner on tour than Travelers and Jay Fishman,” Finchem said.
Finchem’s appearance in Hartford was significant. His last one was April 12, 2006 when St. Paul Travelers agreed to be the tournament title sponsor, starting in ’07. This was essential because the tournament had needed a title sponsor after Buick’s departure in 2006.
The Travelers has been on board as the tournament title sponsor ever since.
“We are in it for the long haul,” Fishman said.