The Sports Betting Alliance (“SBA”) today announced a partnership with the Washington Tennis & Education Foundation (“WTEF”) as a Courtside Connection sponsor for WTEF’s July 24 Share the Love Gala, celebrating the upcoming 2026 Mubadala DC Open alongside tournament partners, tennis fans, and community leaders. The evening is WTEF’s signature annual event, highlighting their more than 70 years of expanding access to sports-based youth development by combining expert tennis coaching with high-quality academic support for children and young adults in Washington, DC.
Recognizing former ATP Tour pro and broadcaster Chris Eubanks and Owner & President of Alexandria Hyundai & Genesis of Alexandria, Kevin Reilly, as “Stars Among Us” honorees, the gala will showcase the deep impact of these individuals and WTEF initiatives on the DC community with a surprise appearance by one of the WTA Tour’s brightest rising stars and WTEF alumni, Hailey Baptiste.
“SBA is thrilled to be partnering with WTEF for the 2026 Share the Love Gala ahead of the upcoming Mubadala DC Open to support community-focused initiatives and organizations that expand access to educational and athletic opportunities across Washington, DC,” said SBA President Joe Maloney. “Sports serve an indispensable role in developing leaders in communities across the country, and for more than 70 years, WTEF has been a leading contributor to this development on and off the court in DC. SBA is proud to support this event and the organization’s overall mission.”
This partnership builds on the tournament and organization’s longstanding community initiatives, including WTEF’s partnership with Mubadala, launched in 2024, which has helped strengthen WTEF’s ability to serve families in historically underserved communities through its core programs – from its flagship year-round Center for Excellence program to exciting global internship opportunities now featured in its Alumni Bridge Program.
“Everything we do at WTEF is for our community,” said WTEF CEO Candace Smith. “We’re grateful to partner with the Sports Betting Alliance to help further our mission. Support from organizations like SBA helps bring people together around a shared commitment, and together, we’re creating meaningful opportunities and strengthening our communities.”
This month, WTEF will continue its longstanding tenure as the nonprofit beneficiary of the Mubadala DC Open, which brings the world’s top ATP and WTA professionals to Washington, DC. Taking place at the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center in Rock Creek Park from July 27 to August 2, 2026, the event is the fifth-largest professional tennis event in the U.S. and the only combined ATP-WTA 500-level tennis tournament in the world.
To learn more about WTEF’s programs or explore ways to get involved, visit wtef.org. To learn more about the Mubadala DC Open, visit mubadaladctennis.com.
About Washington Tennis & Education Foundation
The Washington Tennis & Education Foundation (WTEF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to building life champions. For 70 years, WTEF has provided children and youth in Washington, D.C. with a safe, trusted environment where they can excel through a pathway of academic, life skills and tennis instruction during after-school and summer programming.
About Sports Betting Alliance
The Sports Betting Alliance is a coalition of legal, regulated American sports betting and gaming companies. SBA members are committed to responsible gaming and supporting initiatives that strengthen the communities where they operate.