STATELINE, NEV., July 21, 2015 – American Century Investments will continue as title sponsor of the nation’s premier celebrity golf tournament, the American Century Championship, through 2022. The championship will continue to take place at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course in Lake Tahoe as a result of a seven-year extension, jointly announced by American Century Investments and NBC Sports, owner and operator of the championship.
“Working in collaboration with NBC, Edgewood and the LTVA, the American Century Championship has become the gold standard of celebrity golf tournaments,” said American Century Investments’ Chief Marketing Officer Mark Killen. “This event provides our company with a high profile platform to tell the story about our unique ownership structure to a national television audience. We’re proud of the fact that more than 40 percent of our profits fund basic research to find cures for cancer and other gene-based diseases. Furthermore, the tournament has served as a backdrop for fundraising activities that have benefitted national charities, as well as worthy non-profits in the Tahoe area.”
The agreement was announced at a news conference during Friday’s opening round at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course at the American Century Championship. The Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority will continue as official host destination for the championship, providing tournament volunteer coordination.
Jon Miller, president of programming for NBC Sports and NBC Sports Network, joined Killen to announce the partnership extension that runs through 2022, taking effect at the conclusion of the 2015 championship on Sunday. Financial terms were not disclosed.
“NBC’s partnership with American Century Investments over the past 17 years has been a spectacular success for all parties involved,” said Miller. “The tournament belongs here. This resort destination is the perfect location for the championship, and American Century Investments and the celebrities have fallen in love with Lake Tahoe.”
“We’re pleased to have the American Century Championship at Tahoe South for the next seven years,” said Carol Chaplin, executive director of the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority. “The tournament’s branding is a recipe for success with its economic impact and marketing the South Shore of Lake Tahoe – California and Nevada – as a unique, world-class, year-round destination.”
The nation’s longest running celebrity golf tournament, the American Century Championship has donated more than $4 million to a number of national and local charities. The Stowers Institute for Medical Research is the official national beneficiary of the 2015 championship. Established in 1994 by American Century Investments founder James Stowers Jr., and his wife, Virginia, the Institute is a biomedical research organization that focuses on improving human health through basic research.
American Century Investments became title sponsor in 1998. With the agreement announced today, American Century Investments will celebrate 25 years as title sponsor of the American Century Championship in 2022.
The 2015 American Century Championship completed its 26th year and featured a record field of 91 participants headlined by entertainment superstar Justin Timberlake and 2015 Hall-of-Fame inductees Jerome Bettis, Tim Brown and John Smoltz. Former Major League Baseball all-star pitcher Mark Mulder won the 2015 American Century Championship with 82 points in the modified stableford format, highlighted by a final round 5-under-par 67. Fellow former Major League Baseball pitcher Eric Gagne finished in second place with 81 points. Nearly 41,000 fans attended the championship attendance, the largest turnout in the tournament’s 26-year history.
About American Century Investments
American Century Investments is a leading privately-held investment management firm, committed to delivering superior investment performance and building long-term client relationships since its founding in 1958. Serving investment professionals, institutions, corporations and individual investors, American Century Investments offers a variety of actively managed investment disciplines through an array of products including mutual funds, institutional separate accounts, commingled trusts and sub-advisory accounts. Through its ownership structure, more than 40 percent of American Century Investments’ profits support research to help find cures for diseases including cancer, diabetes and dementia. For more information about American Century Investments, visit www.americancentury.com.
About the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority
Designated the “America’s Best Lake” by USA TODAY readers (2012), Tahoe South combines the distinctive appeal of two worlds: spectacular natural beauty and a modern tourism destination with an array of outdoor recreation, entertainment, nightlife and gaming. Tahoe’s timeless splendor and an emerging economic diversity toward health and wellness, green business practices and sustainability continue to define its inimitable personality. For information about lodging, recreation and family packages at Tahoe South, call 1-800-288-2463 or log onto www.TahoeSouth.com.
About NBC Sports Group
When the Comcast-NBCUniversal transaction was completed in January 2011, the sports assets of the two companies combined to form NBC Sports Group, which serves sports fans 24/7 with premier live events, insightful studio shows, and compelling original programming. The sports media company consists of a unique array of sports assets, including NBC Sports, NBC Olympics, NBCSN (NBC Sports Network), Golf Channel, 10 NBC Sports Regional Networks, NBC Sports Radio and NBC Sports Digital. NBC Sports Group possesses an unparalleled collection of television rights agreements, partnering with some of the most prestigious sports properties in the world: the International Olympic Committee and United States Olympic Committee, the NFL, NHL, NASCAR, PGA TOUR, PGA of America, Churchill Downs, Premier League, Tour de France, French Open, Formula One, IndyCar and many more.
About Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course
Set along the south shore of beautiful Lake Tahoe, Edgewood Tahoe is arguably one of the most scenic golf courses in the world. Designed by George Fazio and opened in 1968, Edgewood is rated by Golf Digest Magazine as one of “America’s Top Golf Courses.” Challenging yet fair, this course offers a choice of four sets of tees, ranging in length from 5567 yards to a demanding 7555, providing a suitable test for golfers of all skill levels.
Contact:
Steve Griffith
Vizion Group PR
484-433-7757
sgriffith@viziongroup.net
Phil Weidinger
Weidinger Public Relations
775-588-2412
dinger@weidingerpr.com
Jeremy Friedman
Golf Channel / NBC Sports Communications
407-721-9752
Jeremy.Friedman@golfchannel.com
Chris Doyle
American Century Investments
913-530-0510
Chris_doyle@americancentury.com
