SunGard Picks Up Team Saxo & Jim Furyk Deals

SunGard, a Pennsylvania-based software and IT services companies, announced today it will kick off 2010 with two new sponsorships: PGA Tour golfer Jim Furyk and Riis Cycling, a professional cycling team that rides as Team Saxo Bank.

“I look forward to sharing many successes with SunGard, a company that has an impressive reputation among the business community,” said Furyk.

Jim Furyk is ranked fourth in career earnings on the PGA Tour and currently ranks fifth in the Official World Golf Rating. Mr. Furyk will display the SunGard logo on his right and left sleeves.

Riis Cycling participates as Team Saxo Bank in the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, Tour of California and other major cycling events. After winning the 2008 Tour de France, Team Saxo Bank placed second overall in 2009, with Andy Schleck winning the Skoda White Jersey as Best Young Rider. The SunGard logo will be displayed on the right side of the team jersey as well as on the shorts.

“We are pleased to be sponsored by SunGard and look forward to developing a strong relationship that will generate business results for both parties,” said Bjarne Riis, owner of Riis Cycling.

Brian Robins, chief marketing officer of SunGard, commented: “We see great potential to improve SunGard’s brand awareness and visibility as a global IT company through these sponsorships. We are pleased to align the SunGard brand with these leaders in their respective sports.”

Denmark's Saxo Bank recently announced it will withdraw from sponsoring the Saxo Bank cycling team at the end of this year acknowledging that "the sponsorship has not been ideal in reaching our narrow target group," according to a statement by Saxo Bank co-founders and co-chief executives Kim Fournais and Lars Seier Christensen.

SunGard is the third largest provider of business applications software after Oracle and SAP, exceeding $5 Billion in annual revenue last year.