Sponsors pull out
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Johnnie Walker is withdrawing its sponsorship of the World Championship, one of the most exclusive and extravagant events in professional golf, at the end of the year, writes Tim Glover.
The Championship was conceived by Johnnie Walker and IMG in 1991 when it was seen, at the Tryall course in Jamaica, by a television audience of 18 million people in 31 countries. In four years the figures had grown to 330m viewers in 92 countries. "The media value was three times the cost and it's very tough to walk away from something as strong as that," Paul Antrobus, a director of Johnnie Walker said yesterday. "It has grown so big it overrides what we are trying to do at a country level."
Johnnie Walker, part of United Distillers, spent £5m a year on the tournament out of an annual golf budget of £11m. "Within our package something had to give to enhance other things," Antrobus said. "Business is tougher and we want to get closer to our consumers."
Johnnie Walker will continue to sponsor the Ryder Cup, the biennial match between Europe and the United States, until at least 1997 and also the Johnnie Walker Classic, a European Tour event.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments