Barbasol Title Sponsor for the PBA Tournament of Champions

Barbasol, a men’s shaving product with a heritage as rich and enduring as the Professional Bowlers Association itself, has been retained as titled sponsor for the Barbasol PBA Tournament of Champions which will be held in the city where Barbasol was invented – Indianapolis.

The Barbasol PBA Tournament of Champions is scheduled for March 27-31 at Woodland Bowl, and will conclude with a two-hour live stepladder final on ESPN on Sunday, March 31, at 2:30 p.m. ET.

Barbasol, invented by MIT professor Frank Shields in 1919, was the first men’s shaving cream that did not have to be worked into a lather by hand. Since its introduction, Barbasol has gone through many refinements and versions, but remains one of the world’s most popular shaving creams, easily identified by its red-and-white striped can – designed to mimic a barber’s pole.

“We are very excited and proud to continue our partnership with the PBA,” said Dustin Abels, Vice President-Business Development. “Barbasol’s rich legacy of sports sponsorships and strong American heritage are a great fit with the PBA and its loyal fan base.”

Owned by Dublin, Ohio-based Perio, Inc., Barbasol has been involved in sponsorships with the Professional Golf Association, National Basketball Association, and Major League Soccer, as well as numerous movie and television placements. During its formative years, product spokesmen included baseball legends Babe Ruth, Rogers Hornsby and Notre Dame coach Knute Rockne.

“Barbasol’s longevity and rich history align perfectly with the traditions and history of the PBA Tournament of Champions,” said PBA CEO Geoff Reiss. “The fact that the product was created in Indianapolis, a city that has hosted dozens of major PBA championships, makes this new partnership even more special.”

The Barbasol PBA Tournament of Champions will return to its traditional roots this year, featuring an elite field of 48 PBA Tour champions (plus any past TOC champions who elect to participate).

The 2013 Tournament of Champions will get underway on Wednesday, March 27, with two eight-game qualifying rounds. After a third eight-game round on Thursday, the top 24 players will advance to eight-game match play rounds Thursday evening and Friday. The top five after 48 games advance to Sunday’s ESPN finals.

A pro-am program and the PBA Hall of Fame induction dinner, honoring newly-elected hall of famers Doug Kent and Danny Wiseman, will highlight Saturday’s schedule.

PBA’s exclusive online bowling channel, Xtra Frame, will provide live coverage of all activities leading up to the ESPN finals. For Xtra Frame subscription information, visit pba.com and click on the Xtra Frame link.