Heath Ritenour: Advancing IOA’s Sports Partnerships
From football and basketball to soccer and golf, Insurance Office of America (IOA) has extensive experience serving the insurance needs of the professional sports industry. As IOA chairman and CEO, Heath Ritenour has continued the company’s legacy of athletic partnerships by nurturing existing relationships and forging new and exciting deals in various arenas of competitive sports.
The National Basketball Association (NBA)
IOA’s first foray into the world of sports coverage began in 2001 when the company became the official insurance broker of the NBA’s Orlando Magic. Since then, Ritenour has been instrumental in cultivating tailored insurance plans for the following professional basketball teams:
- Atlanta Hawks
- Charlotte Hornets
- Memphis Grizzlies
- Washington Wizards
The National Football League (NFL)
Since 2011, IOA has been a proud sponsor and official insurance provider for the Jacksonville Jaguars. In 2019, the professional football team extended their sponsorship agreement, allowing IOA to manage their insurance coverage programs for another three-year period. Over the years, IOA has also provided their services to the NFL’s Oakland Raiders.
The National Hockey League (NHL)
In October 2009, IOA entered the arena of professional hockey by becoming the official insurance broker of the NHL’s New Jersey Devils. Led by Ritenour, the company has since expanded its services to the American Hockey League (AHL) as well as other NHL franchises such as:
- Florida Panthers
- Tampa Bay Lightning
- Washington Capitals
The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA)
The Symetra Tour, nicknamed the “road to the LPGA,” is the official developmental golf tour of the LGPA. As longtime sponsors of the tour, the Ritenour brain-trust conceived of three IOA-sponsored tournaments to assist professional female golfers prepare for the Symetra Tour. The multiple events on the tour include:
- The IOA Classic – Played at Alaqua Country Club in Longwood, Florida, since 2014, the IOA Golf Classic has provided the public with complimentary tickets to all three days of tournament play.
- The IOA Championship – Presented by Morongo Casino Resort & Spa, the IOA Championship is a 54-hole tournament held in Beaumont, California.
- The IOA Invitational – The newest of IOA’s Symetra events, the IOA Invitational debuted at the Atlanta National Golf Club in May 2018.
Major League Soccer (MLS)
IOA gained its first MLS partner in 2017 when it became the official insurance broker for Orlando City Soccer Club. Ritenour also partnered IOA with Orlando City Foundation, the philanthropic chapter of Orlando City Soccer Club. The foundation supports annual fundraising programs, awards ceremonies, and events that help fund central Florida health and wellness training, soccer programs, and philanthropic endeavors.
National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Football
In March 2007, the University of Central Florida named IOA as the lifetime naming rights holder of IOA Plaza, their on-campus football stadium plaza for UCF Knights Football.
US Club Soccer
In September 2016, IOA partnered as a long-term sponsor with US Club Soccer. A member of the United States Soccer Federation, the national organization is committed to the development and support of soccer clubs in the United States.
USA Swimming
IOA took a dive into the world of competitive swimming by partnering with USA Swimming for all their insurance coverage needs. USA Swimming is the national governing body for competitive swimming in the United States and is charged with selecting the United States Olympic Swimming team and all other swim teams officially representing the United States.
USA Triathlon
In January 2020, IOA entered into a multi-year partnership with USA Triathlon, the national governing body for triathlon, duathlon, aquathlon, winter triathlon, off-road triathlon, paratriathlon, and Aquabike events in the United States. As the organization’s official insurance broker, IOA offers coverage for USA Triathlon-certified clubs and athletes in sanctioned races and events through 2024.
“Insurance Office of America is excited to contribute to the growth of this sport through its partnership with USA Triathlon,” said Ritenour about the agreement. “As the national governing Body’s provider for both insurance and risk management solutions, our goal is to help create greater risk resiliency for the organization and its members.”