Sponsor the Tournament
Partner with the 1st Annual Sweeney Memorial Bracket Open to reach an engaged Crystal Lake and McHenry County audience and support the Sweeney Foundation's mission. Saturday, July 25, 2026 at The Racket Club of Crystal Lake.
Why Partner with SMBO
The SMBO is built for local visibility. The audience is exactly the kind of audience that matters to a Crystal Lake or McHenry County business: families, club tennis players, parents of junior players, and friends of the Sweeney family. The day runs from morning through the afternoon at The Racket Club, with a free kids' drop-in clinic mid-day and an after-party at The Quarry.
Sponsorship proceeds support the Sweeney Foundation (501(c)(3) status pending), which helps local families through sudden hardship, grows youth tennis, and funds scholarships.
Where your name shows up
- On-site signage and banners across the indoor and outdoor courts at The Racket Club
- Tournament t-shirts worn by every player and volunteer (and worn long after the event)
- sweeneyopen.com — a destination already in front of registrants, donors, and community members
- SMBO social media channels in the run-up to and during the event
- PA and opening-ceremony announcements
- The post-event gathering at The Quarry — a separate audience touchpoint at a high-traffic local venue
Who's in the room
- Players and their partners across all skill levels
- Families with kids attending the free drop-in clinic
- Spectators, friends, and family of the Sweeney family
- The Crystal Lake / Prairie Ridge / Crystal Lake Central tennis network — Sam coached at multiple programs and taught across local clubs and the Park District
About the Sweeney Foundation
The Sweeney Foundation is an Illinois nonprofit (incorporation in progress) being established to honor Sam's legacy through three pillars:
- Supporting local families in the Crystal Lake and surrounding areas through sudden hardship
- Growing youth tennis in the community
- Funding scholarships and financial assistance
Net proceeds from the 2026 tournament — entry fees, sponsorships, and donations after expenses — go directly to the Foundation's mission.
Sponsorship Levels
Our core sponsorship levels. Each tier builds on the one below.
Bronze Sponsor
$100
- Name listed on tournament website
- Social media mention
Silver Sponsor
$250
Everything in Bronze, plus:
- Logo on tournament t-shirts
Gold Sponsor
$500
Everything in Silver, plus:
- Logo on tournament banners
- Dedicated social media feature post
- Name announced during opening ceremony
Presenting Sponsor
$1,000
Everything in Gold, plus:
- Primary branding on banners, t-shirts, and all printed materials
- Logo featured on sweeneyopen.com homepage
- PA announcements throughout the event
- On-site activation opportunity (table, sampling, branded giveaways)
- Featured presence at the post-event after-party
Specialty Sponsorships
Specialty sponsorships are built around a specific activation rather than a marketing tier. They can be combined with a standard sponsorship level or stand alone.
Bar / Beverage Sponsor
$500
- On-site branded activation (signage, branded cups or napkins; product sampling permitted for non-alcoholic beverages)
- Featured presence at the post-event after-party at The Quarry
- Logo on tournament banners
- Dedicated social media feature post
Kids' Clinic Sponsor
$300
- Underwrites the free kids' drop-in lessons
- Logo on kids' activity area signage
- Dedicated social media feature post
- Name announced during opening ceremony
Court Sponsor
$150 / court
- Your business name on a designated court placard for the day
- Listing on sweeneyopen.com sponsor page
- Social media mention
In-Kind Partner
Goods or services
- Donate prizes, raffle items, swag-bag inclusions, snacks, or refreshments
- Recognition tier matched to the fair-market value of the contribution
- Listing on sweeneyopen.com sponsor page
Tax Treatment
We're committed to being straightforward about this. If anything is unclear, please ask before committing.
- Charitable deduction: Sponsorship payments are not tax-deductible as charitable contributions. The Sweeney Foundation's 501(c)(3) status is pending, and until the IRS issues a determination letter we cannot represent that any payment will be deductible as a charitable contribution. Please consult your tax advisor.
- Business expense: Sponsorship payments by a business are typically deductible as an ordinary advertising or marketing expense. Please confirm treatment with your CPA or tax advisor.
Deadlines & How to Commit
- Print materials cutoff: Logos for t-shirts and banners are needed by June 15, 2026. Earlier commitments get more visibility in pre-event promotion.
- Final commitment deadline: July 1, 2026, for inclusion in event-day signage and PA announcements.
- Payment: Check, Venmo, or ACH. Specifics provided once you confirm the level. Net proceeds support the Sweeney Foundation as outlined above.
- To confirm a sponsorship: Email sponsor@sweeneyopen.com with your business name, preferred tier, contact for logo and copy approvals, and any activation preferences.
Looking for Something Custom?
If none of these levels fits — whether you'd like to underwrite a specific element of the day, contribute in-kind, or build a multi-year partnership tied to the Foundation — reach out and we'll work it out together. The 1st annual is a chance to set the tone for what this becomes.
sponsor@sweeneyopen.comWant a document to forward internally?
Download the full sponsorship proposal as a PDF.
Download the SMBO 2026 Sponsorship Proposal (PDF)