A summary of the most exciting news in soccer marketing. If you’re trying to keep up, consider this your one-stop shop.
Major League Soccer and Audi of America extended their multi-year partnership. With the highest percentage of the millennial audience of any major U.S. sport, the partnership enables Audi to combine its commitment to innovation and technology to engage fans, raise the profile of the game and reach the next generation of young buyers. As part of the agreement, Audi will remain the League’s Official Automotive Partner and the title sponsor of the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs.
- Visa has announced its final results for the FIFA World Cup. The Official Payment Services Partner of FIFA reports that contactless payments accounted for 45% of all Visa purchases in the 11 host cities. Fans from Poland made the most of the contactless purchasing options in-stadium, making 74% of Visa transactions using contactless technology.
- Univision Deportes announced that Univision Deportes Radio is now available nationwide on SiriusXM on channel 467. The lineup will offer “the best in live matches, original content and insightful commentary from a team of renowned sports journalists and analysts and bring more than 350 soccer matches annually to SiriusXM from UEFA Champions League, Europa League and National Team competitions, Liga MX, MLS, CONCACAF, the US Men’s National Team and others.”
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- Global sports agency MP & Silva has failed to meet payments to multiple rights holders, according to a report from Sports Business. The firm, which is owned by Chinese companies Everbright and Baofeng Group, has apparently defaulted on scheduled payments to England’s Premier League and the European Handball Federation, among others. The agency is also in arbitration with Fifa, over its advisory contract for rights to the 2018 and 2022 Fifa World Cups in Italy.
MLS team Chicago Fire have announced a multi-year partnership with telecommunications giant AT&T. The deal will see AT&T’s branding integrated through broadcast, digital, video, content and in-stadium exposure, as well as on-site activation at Fire-related events. The company will also present exclusive content and experiences to Fire fans, including a behind-the-scenes series and activations tied to competitive gaming.
- Manchester City has announced their first esports-specific partnership, securing a deal with the gaming headset and audio accessory brand Turtle Beach. The contract sees Manchester City esports players using Turtle Beach’s line of professional gaming audio equipment, as well as other Turtle Beach gear and accessories.
Tom Glick, Chief Commercial Officer at City Football Club, will be a speaker in our upcoming Portada NY conference. Sign up here.
Turner Sports detailed plans for its upcoming coverage of the UEFA Champions League. On TV, Turner will televise 47 UEFA matches on TNT throughout the season. Meanwhile, B/R Live, Turner’s new premium live sports streaming service will offer fans live UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League action, with content branded B/R Football across all platforms.
- Allstate Insurance Company will launch its first-ever Allstate All-America Soccer platform to honor the country’s rising high school soccer stars. In collaboration with MaxPreps, Allstate will identify the nation’s top high school soccer players in their junior year and award the “Allstate All-American” title to an elite group of 125 male and 125 female players. From the total 250 high school players, 40 males and 40 females will then be selected for the unique opportunity to compete in the inaugural Allstate All-America Cup that that will take place in summer 2019 in the city that hosts the Major League Soccer All-Star Game presented by Target.
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