US Open Tennis Balls Authenticated with DNA Matrix™

September 13, 2012

New partner, MeiGray Group, showcases our DNA Matrix™ security marking technology at this year’s US Open Tennis Championships.

Picked up by the NY Times A Chance to Buy a Piece of the Tennis Action

FLUSHING, N.Y. – (August 28, 2012) -Tennis fans at the 2012 US Open and sports memorabilia collectors around the world can now acquire actual match-used items and one-of-a-kind collectibles from the two-week tournament that starts on Monday.

The USTA has named leading sports authenticator MeiGray Group as the “Official Match-Used Source of the US Open.”

Proceeds from the new program will benefit USTA Serves, a New York educational and charitable organization that helps underserved youth and people with disabilities to improve academics and strive for excellence.

MeiGray will authenticate on-site – and market in real time – the balls used in men’s and women’s matches, including match-winning points. Nets, court chairs and other match-used items, selected player autographed and match-used items, and unique artwork from the National Tennis Center will also be available throughout the event.

Items authenticated on Center Court and throughout Arthur Ashe and Louis Armstrong Stadiums also will be available immediately via bidding on-line at http://auction.usopen.org.

“More than 700,000 passionate tennis fans descend on Flushing over a two-week span, and we believe they have a thirst for the Open’s authenticate mementos,” said Barry Meisel, MeiGray’s President and Chief Operating Officer. “We’re proud that the USTA has asked us to be partners. And we’re honored to be able to help USTA Serves.”

“The US Open attracts a passionate fan base, and by teaming with MeiGray, we can bring our fans even closer to the sport,” said Lew Sherr, Chief Revenue Officer, USTA.

About 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. A not-for-profit organization with more than 785,000 members, it invests 100% of its proceeds in growing the game. It owns and operates the US Open, the highest attended annual sporting event in the world, and launched the Emirates Airline US Open Series linking 10 summer tournaments to the US Open. In addition, it owns approximately 90 Pro Circuit events throughout the U.S, and selects the teams for the Davis Cup, Fed Cup, Olympic and Paralympic Games. The USTA philanthropic entity, USTA Serves, provides grants and scholarships and helps underserved youth and people with disabilities. For more information on the USTA, log on to usta.com, “like” the official Facebook page facebook.com/usta or follow @usta on Twitter.

About USTA Serves
USTA Serves is USTA’s Philanthropic entity that provides grants and scholarships and through tennis, helps underserved youth and people with disabilities to improve academics and strive for excellence USTA Serves Incorporated is a 501(c)(3), tax-exempt, not-for-profit, charitable and educational organization. IRS ID #13-3782331. A copy of USTA Serves’ most recent annual report is available by contacting USTA Serves Incorporated at 70 West Red Oak Lane, White Plains, NY 10604 or the New York State Attorney General Charities Bureau at 120 Broadway, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10271.

About MeiGray Group
The MeiGray Group is the sports world’s leading authenticator of game-worn and match-used items. The Branchburg, N.J. company, founded in 1997, also partners with USA Hockey, the National Basketball Association, the National Hockey League and the ECHL.

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