Is The USGA Close To Inking A U.S. Women's Open Sponsor?

Golfweek’s Eamon Lynch says the USGA is on the verge of inking a deal for a U.S. Women’s Open presenting sponsor and quotes USGA chief brand officer Craig Annis as not ruling out what would be a first for the non-profit organization.

How about a “presenting” sponsor, in which the corporate branding comes after the event title?

“I would not rule that out,” Annis said. “We are always considering more ways to bring in corporate support for our championships and our programs and services.”

Annis declined to speculate on the potential price tag of any sponsorship — one source familiar with the pitch pegs it at $7-$10 million — and wouldn’t confirm whether a deal is close. “We would never disclose any conversations until they are ready to be made public,” he said.

The story also claims the U.S. Women’s Open loses $9 million annually. Yet Lynch says taking on such a presenting sponsor would be in an effort at achieving “purse parity” with the men’s U.S. Open and not about making up for revenue shortfalls.

“We’ve previously said that our long-term vision is to work to achieve purse parity,” he responded. “In the short term, we’re going to continue to be leaders in the purses amongst majors.”

On its most recent tax filing viewable to the public, the USGA reports $509,493,063 in net assets as of 2019. The organization is also halfway through a 12-year, $1.2. billion domestic TV rights deal.