With Verizon now taking on the status of founding partner until at least the end of 2020, the company’s logo will appear on United States handball shirts.

There is an option for the deal to be extended to run through to the end of 2024.

The company’s tagline, "Powered by Verizon", will also be applied to the national teams, the Collegiate National Championships and an open tryout for both the men’s and women’s national teams to be held later this year.

Barry Siff, USATH’s chief executive, said: "We could not ask for a better partner to help grow the sport of team handball here in the United States, which is already one of the most prolific and popular sports in Europe and South America.

"With Verizon’s help and partnership moving forward, I am sure that our efforts to make team handball America's next great sport will see significant progress in 2020 and beyond."

Verizon and USATH will also work together to create original content and use this to promote the sport alongside a programme of community outreach.

USATH has been the sport’s governing body within the US since 2008.

John Nitti, Verizon’s chief media officer, commented of the deal: "We see a tremendous opportunity within the sport and are excited to see the ways Verizon can work with USA Team Handball to grow and evolve it."