Masters gets TV sponsors for 2005

AUGUSTA, Ga., Aug. 27 (UPI) -- After two years of broadcasting commercial-free, the Masters will have sponsors for their 2005 television coverage,it was announced Friday.

Hootie Johnson, chairman of Augusta National Golf Club, pulled his TV sponsors in 2003 in the midst of a protest by Martha Burke and the National Council of Women's Organizations. They were protesting because Augusta had no women members.

Johnson announced two new sponsors, IBM and SBC Communications, on Friday and said ExxonMobil would return in 2005. The Masters, slated for April 7-10, previously was the only commercial-free sports event on network television.