LUTZ, Fla. -- Officials of the Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am announced three major changes to the Tampa Bay Area-based Champions Tour tournament on Wednesday at the 2006 Media Day event featuring defending champion, Hale Irwin.

First, Outback Steakhouse has extended its contract as title sponsor of the increasingly popular event for four years, beginning with the 2007 tournament. The contract extension takes Outback’s involvement in the tournament through the 2010 tournament.

Second, tournament officials have negotiated to move the television broadcast of the tournament to NBC, starting with the 2007 tournament. The television contract is currently part of the Champions Tour broadcast package with The Golf Channel. The move to NBC will dramatically increase the number of available households that will have access to viewing the broadcast.

Third, in 2007, Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am tournament dates will move forward one week, swapping schedule slots with The ACE Group Classic in Naples. The 2007 tournament will be held Feb. 12-18.

“These moves are instrumental to the growth of the Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am as the premier non-major tournament on the Champions Tour,” said Amy Hawk, tournament director for the Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am. “Our format is custom-made for drawing strong network TV ratings, and the scheduling change and extension of Outback’s involvement in the tournament were critical to finalizing the TV contract."

“Outback Steakhouse’s commitment to the Champions Tour is now stronger than ever,” said Outback Steakhouse Chairman Chris Sullivan. “We have proven that we can draw big names, big crowds and make significant contributions to Tampa Bay area charities. We could not think of a better network partner to align ourselves with to grow this tournament than NBC."

"We are looking forward to coming to this hotbed of golf, the Greater Tampa Bay area, to broadcast one of the best events on the Champions Tour," said Tom Roy, NBC Sports golf producer.

"The Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am is a very strong tournament that got even stronger with today's news," said Champions Tour President Rick George. "It demonstrates Outback Steakhouse's commitment to the Champions Tour and to raising a lot of more money for charity in the Tampa Bay area in the coming years. Outback has been very innovative and creative since coming on board as a Champions Tour title sponsor in 2004. We are very excited about this extension through 2010 and adding yet another tournament to our lineup of events on NBC."

Celebrity Commitments for 2006 Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am

• Kevin Costner

• Mark Wahlberg

• Joe Theismann

• Boomer Esiason

• Derrick Brooks

• Ronde Barber

• Carolyn Kepcher

• Lou Piniella

• Jim Courier

• Anthony “Booger” McFarland