A Question for Robert Thompson

Robert, I know there is no connection between RBS (Royal Bank of Scotland) and RBC (Royal Bank of Canada). So why would they both be listed as sponsors of the 2008 Canadian Open?

The current edition of SportsPro Magazine lists all corporate sponsors of sporting events, from #1 ADIDAS US $390.8 million to #617 Yanjing Beer US $1 million.

#357 Royal Bank of Canada US$4 million golf Canadian Open
#48 Royal Bank of Scotland US$62.5 million Canadian Open, F1, Phillies, Rugby

Interesting how times have changed, many of the listed companies have faded rapidly from being sponsors to being sponsored by Obama and others. Crime in the Suites will be a good movie.

ING #40 US$70.0 million F1, NY Marathon
AIG #91 US$28.5 million NBA, Manchester United

Also interesting is how many of the companies have an * after the amount spent. The * denotes “does not include personal endorsements”. Nike (#11 at US$235 million) does not include their Tiger Woods and others.

One company missing from the 2008 survey is CN. Recently we watched a huge Equestrian event from Switzerland sponsored by CN – amazingly not one Canadian rider but sponsored by CN with Canadian flags everywhere. I know CN has bailed out Canadian Women’s Golf which is great because they deserve it (wish it was in Sandra Post’s honour) and I knew they were at Spruce Needles (on TV every other week over here) but why sponsor in Europe? Their money I guess.

Getting back to SportsPro Magazine. It’s new to me but apparently it’s been around for 10 years and it isn’t from IMG. Well it might be because they have a big article about the famous golf course designer Tiger Woods. It’s a great read, I found my copy outside the R&A clubhouse, on the Member’s Only bench. If only they knew what my dog Marley does to that bench every morning round 6:00!