Budweiser to Sponsor the NWSL in a multi-year deal. Here you’ll find a weekly summary of the most exciting news in soccer marketing. If you’re trying to keep up, consider this your one-stop shop.
NWSL
- The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and Budweiser signed a multi-year deal. The beer brand will get granted naming rights to the play-offs, the championship, the MVP trophy, and a newly created ‘Most Valuable Supporter’ award. Budweiser is the competition’s first official beer sponsor. “Becoming the official beer sponsor of the NWSL is our way of not just supporting the US women’s team once every four years, but also supporting women’s soccer every single day,” said Monica Rustgi, Budweiser’s vice president of marketing.
The @USWNT has made us proud. But today is not the end. Today is a new beginning. We #WontStopWatching.#OfficialSupporter pic.twitter.com/srzQCYDC8Z
— Budweiser (@budweiserusa) July 7, 2019
- The 2023 Women’s World Cup could go from 24 to 32 teams, according to Gianni Infantino, president of Fifa. He also wants to double the prize money to US$60 million. “I want to expand the tournament to 32 teams. We will have to act quickly to decide if we are to increase it for 2023. If we do, we should reopen the bidding process to allow everyone to have a chance or maybe co-host. Nothing is impossible,” Infantino said.
- Nike was the most-discussed brand on Twitter during the FIFA Women’s World Cup globally, according to the social media’s data. Budweiser and Visa came second and third.
- Allstate locked a multi-year partnership as official sponsor of the U.S. Men’s, Women’s (NWSL) and Youth National Teams. The deal is headlined by Allstate’s presenting sponsorship of the U.S. Women’s National Team five-game Victory Tour. The tour begins Aug 3 when the USA hosts the Republic of Ireland at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, carried on ESPN2. Also the U.S. Soccer Development Academy has designated Allstate exclusively as the Official Insurance Sponsor of U.S. Soccer, running through 2022.
European Soccer
- French team Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) is teaming up with Finnish game developer Supercell, to expand their esports division. PSG will set up their own team for Supercell’s latest game, Brawl Stars. The game developer is currently the official gaming partner of the PSG. “Our two brands share the same global ambition and a young and dynamic identity that appeals to a young audience,” said Marc Armstrong, PSG’s chief partnerships officer.
- Real Madrid and Telefónica signed a partnership that will run until June 2023. Through this deal, Telefónica becomes the club’s technological integrator. No figures have been released for the new deal.
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Broadcasting Rights
- ESPN got the U.S. English-language broadcasting rights for the Leagues Cup, a new international club competition between four MLS teams against four teams from Mexico’s Liga MX. The tournament starts with quarterfinals on July 23-24.
- Manchester City has teamed up with DAZN, to make the sports streaming subscription service their new official partner in Japan. DAZN will serve as the exclusive live host broadcaster for the English giants’ first ever game in the country against City Football Group (CFG) sister club Yokohama F Marinos on 27th July.
- According to Uefa’s president Aleksander Čeferin, the European soccer governing body is in the talks with Conmebol to create an intercontinental “champion of champions” game. The game would see the winner of European Championships play against the Copa America champions. Collaboration would take place next year after Euro 2020.
U.S. Soccer
- The Súper Clásico between CD Chivas de Guadalajara, and Club América returns to the United States this September. Celebrating Mexico’s Independence month, the Clásico will be played at the Soldier Field in Chicago on Sunday, September 8th. Univision Deportes will broadcast the match in the U.S. and Televisa in Mexico. Various activities around the greater Chicago area will take place leading up to the game; including team legends, official mascots, trophies, celebrities, musical performances.
- Toyota launches is launching its “Choose the Toughest Field” soccer campaign. “This campaign champions the relentless spirit of those unafraid to conquer even the toughest terrains, just like our Tacoma and Tundra trucks,” said Terry Sell, national truck manager at Toyota Motor North America. “From international to home field games, we’re looking forward to an exciting soccer season as we celebrate the determination and toughness of the game, its players and the fans.”
- Captain Morgan has become MLS’ official spiced rum and exclusive spirits partner through 2022. The new deal names Captain Morgan as an official sponsor of MLS All-Star – taking place in just a few weeks in Orlando – Campeones Cup (August 14) and MLS Cup (November 10). “From New York to Seattle to Los Angeles, everything about Major League Soccer, its intensely passionate fanbase, the atmosphere at each match, and the exciting growth of the sport in the U.S. mirrors the energy that Captain Morgan stands for,” said Christina Choi, DIAGEO Senior Vice President, Rum, Gin & Tequila
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