December 23, 2011 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Sony Ericsson has announced that it is ending its sponsorship of the WTA Tour at the end of the 2012 season. In 2005, Sony Ericsson signed a six-year $88 million deal with the WTA as title sponsor of the WTA, which was extended through the end of 2012. But the strategic direction of Sony Ericsson has shifted toward product development and a focus on the company’s Android phones as they go head to head with Apple in the battle for smartphone market share thus ending the relationship.
"2012 will be the eighth and final year of the partnership," said the WTA in a statement. "They have been a great partner and we will miss them.”
Sony Ericsson PR Manager Graciela Pineda said, "This was a strategic decision based on the evolution of the business and the brand.”
