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USTA and IBM Sign New Partnership Agreement for US Open

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., July 20, 2009 — The USTA announced today that IBM has renewed its technology sponsorship of and business relationship with the US Open, the highest-attended annual sporting event in the world. IBM will continue as the “Official Information Technology Solution Provider” of the US Open and also will continue as one of six USTA Corporate Champions. The multi-year deal continues through 2012, and will make IBM a 20-plus-year sponsor of the US Open.

IBM will continue to provide innovative technology for all aspects of the US Open, including the development of USOpen.org. These technologies will be provided in a much greener fashion, as IBM will be able to reduce energy consumption by nearly half by utilizing fewer servers while increasing overall productivity.

Last year, the USTA and IBM introduced several new features to USOpen.org, including enhancements to the customizable myUSOpen.org, building the USOpen.org widget, and creating avenues for interactive content including the US Open Fanbook. In 2009, IBM will partner with the USTA to introduce an assortment of new enhancements, including an iPhone application, a new dynamic media console, more comprehensive interactive tools and mobile features.

IBM technology is also integral to live scoring throughout the US Open. IBM provides equipment and services to create an integrated scoring system for match results and statistics collection. Its technology provides fans with instantaneous live scoring and statistics on all stadium scoreboards, as well as the match scoreboards found throughout the USTA National Tennis Center, on the Internet via the official Web site USOpen.org, via mobile devices and to television viewers through the broadcast graphics. IBM also produces various video feeds with scoring content updated in real-time and distributed via the tournament’s closed-circuit TV system.

In other facets of its sponsorship, IBM will continue to support both the network and cable broadcasts of the US Open, and will continue to provide a courtside radar gun system which displays the speed of serve data on the courtside display in Arthur Ashe Stadium, Louis Armstrong and the Grandstand. Additionally, as it has for more than a decade, IBM will provide a free “Cyber Court” in the Player’s Lounge for use by all players competing in the 2009 US Open. IBM also offers players match analysis DVD’s which afford players and coaches the ability to deconstruct and analyze all aspects of the player’s most recent match played at the US Open.

“By partnering with an industry leader such as IBM and utilizing their advanced technology solutions, we can ensure that the US Open remains at the technological cutting edge of sports,” said Pierce O’Neil, Chief Business Officer, USTA. “IBM’s technology is truly integrated into every aspect of the tournament, and the technology solutions touch all of our audiences around the globe, including the players, fans, sponsors, broadcast partners and the media.”

“Our partnership with the USTA brings IBM’s technology and business expertise to the USTA, and enhances the game by making the US Open more fan-friendly and accessible than ever before,” said Rick Singer, Vice President, Client Executive Marketing, IBM. “USOpen.org continues to be an immersive web experience, including significant multi-media content, personalized features and real-time solutions. The excitement and popularity of this signature sporting event called for a smart system that is reliable, flexible and secure and we’re thrilled to continue this business relationship.”

USOpen.org set several records in 2008, including an all-time traffic record of 39 million visits, a 33% increase over the year before. Working in partnership, the USTA designs USOpen.org and manages and publishes all content, while IBM powers and hosts the Web site.

The 2009 US Open will be held Monday, August 31 through Sunday, September 13. The tournament will be broadcast by CBS, ESPN and Tennis Channel.

Posted on July 20, 2009
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