DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--MoneyGram (NYSE: MGI), a leading global money transfer company, today announced that legendary cricket player Sunil Gavaskar – regarded as the “greatest opening batsman of all time” – will serve as ambassador for the company as part of its multi-year agreement with the International Cricket Council (ICC).
MoneyGram is serving as the official sponsor through 2015, after sponsoring the 2010 ICC World Twenty20 tournament in the West Indies.
According to MoneyGram, Gavaskar was invited to serve as the company’s ambassador because many of its customers currently living in the United States moved here from – or have relatives living in – countries where cricket enjoys a popularity similar to American football.
“Cricket fans around the world demonstrate a unique passion that is unlike anything seen in other sports. Their love for the game, and their strong enthusiasm as they cheer for their favorite teams and players, brings friends and families closer together,” said Juan Agualimpia, executive vice president and chief marketing officer, MoneyGram. “Gavaskar is a legend in cricket, who is very well known around the world. We’re excited about the value he’ll bring to MoneyGram by connecting with our customers through events we’re planning in various markets.”
A native of India, Gavaskar – nicknamed “Sunny” during his 17-year career – played for the India, Mumbai, and Somerset teams throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Known for his near-perfect technique, he is the only player to score 1,000 runs in a calendar year, and the first player to score 10,000 runs in Tests. Under his leadership, the India team won a number of tournaments, including the Asia Cup, Benson & Hedges World Cup, and the ICC Cricket World Cup. An author of four books about cricket, Gavaskar today serves as a television commentator and columnist for cricket.
In North America, Gavaskar will be visiting Toronto, Dallas and the New York area in August, where he will visit local cricket matches and MoneyGram agent locations.
Sunil Gavaskar North American Tour
- Toronto, Aug. 5 – 7: Gavaskar will visit the Toronto Cricket League before meeting with MoneyGram agents in the city. On August 7 at 6 p.m., MoneyGram will host a press conference introducing Gavaskar to ethnic media.
- Dallas, Aug. 9 – 11: Gavaskar visits the Dallas Cricket League on the morning of August 11, followed by afternoon autograph signings at the 36th Anand Bazaar at Lone Star Park – sponsored by the India Association of North Texas – in Grand Prairie, near Dallas.
- New York/New Jersey, Aug. 12 – 14: Gavaskar will visit the Edison Cricket Club on Aug. 12, followed by visits with MoneyGram agents. On the evening of Aug. 13, he will attend an Iftar – an evening breaking of the fast during Ramadan – with members of the Pakistani and Bangladeshi community. On August 14 at 6 p.m. at the Manhattan Penthouse, MoneyGram will host a press conference introducing Gavaskar to local ethnic media.
For more details on his scheduled appearances, visit MoneyGram’s dedicated cricket website at moneygram.com/cricket.
About MoneyGram
MoneyGram, a leading money transfer company, enables consumers who are not fully served by traditional financial institutions to meet their financial needs. MoneyGram offers bill payment services in the United States and Canada and money transfer services worldwide through a global network of more than 284,000 agent locations – including retailers, international post offices and financial institutions – in 196 countries and territories. To learn more about money transfer or bill payment at an agent location or online, please visit moneygram.com or connect with us on Facebook.
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