Tennis Association Hands Off Web Support To The Active Network

Web application and hosting service provider The Active Network, Inc. has won a deal to support and maintain player registration sites and other online tools for the United States Tennis Association, company officials said Friday.

Under the five-year deal, The Active Network will support and enhance USTA's TennisLink infrastructure, an online platform through which more than 690,000 amateur USTA players can register for tournaments, track scores, and view rankings. The service is not used by the USTA's professional division, which organizes the U.S. Open. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The USTA had previously outsourced some support functions for TennisLink to Affiliated Computer Services, which last month announced the resignation of its CEO and CFO due to improper backdating of the company's stock options.

Executives at The Active Network say they plan to add a Web 2.0 feel to TennisLink as they roll out new components, beginning in early 2007. "We want to create a more interactive environment with the end goal of increasing participation in the sport of tennis," said Jon Belmonte, chief operating officer at The Active Network.

The company also will work with the USTA to build an online tennis community at Active.com, featuring information on local tennis events, tips, and drills. As part of the deal, a seat on The Active Network's board will be given to USTA director at large John Korff.