FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 16th, 2008
Contact: Steve Tompkins
(617) 288-9092

EMPIRE LOAN PARTNERS WITH SPORTSMEN’S TENNIS CLUB IN BOSTON

Empire Signs on as Title Sponsor for the US Pro Circuit Women’s $50,000 Challenger at Sportsmen’s Tennis Club, June 30th–July 6th

Sportsmen’s Tennis Club Board Chairman Steve Tompkins today announced that Empire Loan has signed on as title sponsor of the US Pro Circuit Women’s $50,000 Challenger tournament hosted by Sportsmen’s Tennis Club, June 30th – July 6th, 2008.

"We are excited to welcome Empire Loan as the title sponsor of this year’s US Pro Circuit Women’s tennis tournament," said Tompkins. "We are proud to be aligned with such a successful, community focused company. We hope the tournament sponsorship is the beginning of a long lasting relationship between Sportsmen’s Tennis Club and Empire Loan."

Sportsmen’s Tennis Club is a non–profit organization founded in 1961 with the mission of providing low–cost tennis to urban youth.

Located in the heart of Boston’s inner–city, Sportsmen’s has distinguished itself as a unique, community–based organization providing a nurturing and supportive environment for children of all races. Sportsmen’s is recognized nationally as a pioneer in using the sport of tennis to enhance the lives of urban youth.

"We are proud to support the Sportsmen’s Tennis Club and its mission to improve the lives of Boston’s youth," said Michael Goldstein President and CEO of Empire Loan. "At Empire Loan, we are committed to helping make a difference in the communities where we work and live."

The qualifier round for the Empire US Pro Circuit Women’s $50,000 Challenger tournament will be held June 28 – 30 and the main event will run June 30th – July 6th. The 32 players’ world rankings range from 61 to mid–200's. In addition to the qualifying and main events, other activities will include Pro/Celebrity matches and a free kids’ day, which will feature a kids’ tennis clinic.

Tickets are available by calling Sportsmen’s Tennis Club at (617) 288–9092. For more information, including directions, log on to www.sportsmenstennisclub.org.

Empire Loan
Empire Loan is committed to providing short term collateralized loans in a safe, friendly, and professional environment. We will endeavor to dispel long held misrepresentations of the pawn broking industry by treating every customer with the utmost respect. Empire Loan will be a shining example of good corporate citizenship by participating in and partnering with community based non-profit organizations. We are dedicated to serving our customers best interests, and to earning their trust and confidence by operating in an ethical and fair manner. Empire Loan is also committed to paying a living wage with full healthcare benefits to our valued employees.

Sportsmen’s Tennis Club
Sportsmen’s Tennis Club is a 501(c) 3, non–profit corporation organized in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Founded over forty years ago with a mission of providing low-cost tennis to urban youth, Sportsmen’s has distinguished itself as a unique, community–based organization providing a nurturing and supportive environment for children of all races. Sportsmen’s is recognized nationally as a pioneer in using the sport of tennis to enhance the lives of urban youth.

Sportsmen’s is successful because of its inter–disciplinary nature and the unifying methodology that is consistently applied across all program components – academic, athletic, health and social. Today Sportsmen’s remains committed to providing low cost tennis training and academic support for minority youth who would not otherwise have an opportunity to participate or excel in the sport.

USTA Pro Circuit
With 96 tournaments throughout the country and prize money ranging from $10,000 to $100,000, the USTA Pro Circuit is the pathway to the US Open and tour–level competition for aspiring tennis players and a frequent battleground for established professionals. More than 1,100 men and women from 79 countries competed on the USTA Pro Circuit in 2004 for nearly $3 million in prize money and valuable ATP and WTA Tour ranking points. Jelena Jankovic, Anastasia Myskina, Maria Sharapova, and Nicole Vaidisova are among the top stars that began their careers on the USTA Pro Circuit. For more information, log on to http://procircuit.usta.com.