US Squash and Squash Universe, a newly formed squash event promotion company, announced in June that the U.S. Open Squash Championship for men will be hosted in New York City this September 27–October 4. The two organizations also announced a multi-year licensing agreement for the event, bringing them together in close partnership to promote squash at the professional level.
The 2007 U.S. Open Championship will be hosted at world famous Roseland Ballroom, blocks from Times Square. In operation for over 75 years, the Ballroom is perhaps best known as a site for famous concerts over the last four decades. Initial qualifying rounds and the round of 32 will be played at New York City area clubs.
US Squash CEO Kevin Klipstein commented, “Bringing the U.S. Open title to New York makes very good business sense. New York is home to more Fortune 500 companies than any other city and is clearly the media capital of the world. The additional sponsor support and media exposure the event will receive as a result of the move will further US Squash’s vision of making squash accessible.”
Sean Gibbon, who led the first-time Village Open event in New York in 2006 and now serves as Squash Universe CEO, added, “Our experience with the Village Open convinced us that there was an opportunity to create an even larger event. Taking on the management of the U.S. Open Championship was a logical progression and we share US Squash’s vision for the development of the sport.”
Gibbon went on to confirm the strong possibility for broad television coverage of the tournament this year, and indicated the desire to add the Women’s U.S. Open Championship title to the event in subsequent years, offering a combined “Grand Slam” style event.
