Palm Beach, Florida, June 25, 2012 – Boeing, the world’s largest aerospace company and leading manufacturer of commercial jetliners, has signed a long-term sponsorship deal with three-time major champion and World Golf Hall of Famer Ernie Els.
Els is the first-ever professional athlete to sign an endorsement deal with the company and now sports the Boeing logo on his clothing. The deal was first discussed at the PGA Tour’s RBC Heritage Tournament, for which Boeing is a secondary sponsor, and was then finalized just a few days before the start of the US Open.
“My philosophy in business is always to partner with the very best,” commented Els, “and Boeing is absolutely the best in its business. When I first met the guys earlier this year we immediately hit it off and developed a good rapport. I’m excited about this new partnership and I very much look forward to working with the Boeing team.”
“Ernie Els is a globally recognized player and we felt like it was a good fit for us,” said Boeing’s director of communications, Mark Hooper, who also explained that this new deal was part of Boeing’s effort to appeal to more international customers.
“Ernie Els and Boeing are international brands,” said Vinny Giles of Els’ management company ProsInc. Giles said the deal is a logical fit with Els’ other international partners, which include RBC, Callaway Golf and global software corporation SAP.
