America's cup mest prestige med golf

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New York--(Business Wire)--June 6, 2006--Which of the truly elite global
sporting events do America's highest net worth consumers think are the
most prestigious? Where should luxury goods and services firms invest
their sponsorship funds for maximum co-branding prestige effectiveness?
According to the 2006 Luxury Brand Status Index (LBSI) survey of
Sporting Events, conducted by the New York City-based Luxury Institute
(www.luxuryinstitute.com), The Masters Golf Tournament, The
Championships Wimbledon Tennis, and the America's Cup sailing event are
the three most prestigious events in 2006, as rated by America's ultra
high net worth consumers.

"The Masters Golf Tournament ranks highest of all events on the 2006
Luxury Brand Status Index, and on each component dimension of the LBSI,
except exclusivity," said Milton Pedraza, CEO of the Luxury Institute.
"On being truly unique and exclusive, the Masters ranks second behind
the America's Cup. The Masters is the sporting event deemed most worthy
of a price premium and is the event wealthy consumers are most willing
to recommend. Not surprisingly, this event is also the most likely to be
considered a "must-see" or "must- attend" event."

Twenty-four high-end Sporting events were rated including: the America's
Cup (Sailing) Australian Open (Tennis), Belmont Stakes (Horse Racing),
Breeders Cup (Horse Racing), British Open Championship (Golf), Davis Cup
(Tennis), Del Mar National Horse Show, Formula One Auto Racing Series,
French Open (Tennis), Kentucky Derby (Horse Racing), Monaco Grand Prix,
NASDAQ 100 Open Tennis, Olympics- Summer, Olympics- Winter, PGA
Championship (Golf), Ryder Cup (Golf), The Masters Golf Tournament
(Golf), The Preakness (Horse Racing), Tour de France, US Open (Golf), US
Open (Tennis), Wimbledon (Tennis), World Cup Finale, World Series of
Poker (included to test the prestige qualities of poker).

A nationally representative sample of 500 wealthy consumers was surveyed
online. Respondents are required to have a minimum gross annual
household income of $200,000 and net worth (incl. home equity) of
$5,000,000. The survey results are weighted to match the demographic and
net worth profiles of the same audience according to the latest Survey
of Consumer Finances from the Federal Reserve. -- Story posted on AC 32
Challenger Commission Blog, http://tinyurl.com/jxxvc