Copyright © 2015. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis.

The ATP is lining up a new sponsor for the Tour Finals, according to CEO Chris Kermode, with five companies willing to add their name to the event.

Title sponsor Barclays is reducing its sporting presence and decided not to renew its agreement despite record attendance, leaving the round-robin showpiece looking for a new partner for next year.

The Tour Finals represent 15-20 percent of the tour’s earnings.

However, says Kermode, there is plenty of interest and the biggest question is the length of the deal. The tournament recently extended its stay at the O2 arena in London.

“The issue for us at present is whether we go for a two year sponsor deal around London, or a longer deal that is linked to London and another venue somewhere else,” he said in an interview with the BBC site.

“We are talking to five companies as potential sponsors, and want to be quick in securing a deal.”

Kermode, in addition, revealed that the decision to stay in London was despite other cities offering more money, because of the facilities and quality offered by the location. With attendance of almost 263,000, it also attracts a full house for almost every session.

During the tournament, the tour also announced two new platinum sponsors, and Emirates as a new premier sponsor.

Copyright © 2015. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis.