RACINE, WI — (Jan. 24, 2025) — The United States Tennis Association (USTA) and the National Association of Sports Officials (NASO) have signed a multi-year agreement that enrolls all USTA officials into NASO and provides them with NASO’s full complement of benefits.
The two organizations jointly announced the partnership, which provides new resources and benefits to USTA’s more than 2,300 officials.
USTA officials are joining NASO under NASO’s group membership program that provides sharply reduced membership fees and enhanced benefits, including access to the nation’s premier officiating insurance that will cover USTA officials for all sports, all levels, and all matches. That includes the most comprehensive liability coverage in the industry, in addition to NASO’s other unique officiating insurances, such as assault-related coverage, assigners’ insurance and game-call coverage. Also included with the membership is an exclusive USTA-branded digital version of Referee magazine, including 16 additional pages specifically for NASO members, the Marriott Athletic VIP card and more.
“We are excited to partner with NASO, the leading advocate for sports officials in the nation, to provide USTA officials with the increased resources and benefits that come with membership in such a well-established, credible organization,” said Andrew Walker, USTA’s Director, Education & Training, Officiating & US Open Chief Umpire. “This partnership is an investment into our officials, providing them with new and unique education opportunities and benefits.”
NASO will additionally provide branded recruitment & retention resources as well as customized digital officiating guides to all USTA officials covering such topics as dealing with heated situations, mental preparedness, and onboarding new officials. Other digital resources will be provided to help reinforce the important role officials play in today’s athletic contests.
“NASO is thrilled to welcome the USTA officials into our membership,” said Ken Koester, NASO and Referee’s Chief Business Development Officer. “This partnership sends a strong message to all USTA officials that they are an essential part of the sport. We appreciate the opportunity to provide those officials with unparalleled benefits and services, reinforcing the support and commitment they already receive from the USTA.”
As a mission-based educational non-profit organization, NASO advocates for excellence in officiating, provides education and support to sports officials, and leads the way with its comprehensive officiating insurance protections – including liability coverage, assigning and game call insurance, assault protection insurance, and legal and informational consultation service for members.
“On behalf of the NASO Board of Directors, I want to recognize the commitment of the USTA providing the best support possible for their officials,” said NASO President Bill Topp. “Not only does this partnership provide unparalleled resources and the best officiating insurance in the nation, it speaks to the commitment that USTA has to supporting its sports officials and by extension to supporting the sports officiating industry as a whole.”
ABOUT THE USTA:
The USTA is the national governing body for the sport of tennis in the U.S. and the leader in promoting and developing the growth of tennis at every level — from local communities to the highest level of the professional game. Officials within the USTA play an integral role at tournaments of all levels, from local community events to professional matches, focusing on fair play and sportsmanship.
ABOUT NASO:
Founded in 1980, NASO is a not-for-profit educational organization and is the world’s largest organization for sports officials at every level and all sports. 32,000 sports officials from around the world belong to NASO, enjoying member benefits and supporting an organization that advocates for sports officials and that helps them maintain the highest level of officiating skills
Contact: Joe Jarosz
Assistant Editor
Referee Magazine/National Association of Sports Officials
jjarosz@naso.org