Current Jersey Sponsors in the MLS

Original article appeared on BrotherlyGame.com

In light of the last week's announcement by the Philadelphia Union, revealing Mexico's largest food corporation, Bimbo, as the official jersey sponsor, we take a look at the current deals around Major League Soccer.  As the league continues to grow, the demand for corporate sponsorship continues to increase.

However, four teams enter 2011 without a jersey sponsor (New England Revolution, FC Dallas, Colorado Rapids and Sporting Kansas City).  Colorado Rapids are confident about the potential for a jersey sponsor and FC Dallas has commented that a significant jersey deal is expected to be announced in 2011. Sporting KC recently commented that a stadium and kit sponsor deal is 'in the works.' Contrarily, Chicago Fire and Columbus Crew join the list of blank kits in the New Year as Best Buy and Glidden (owned by ICI Paints), respectively, decided not to extend the current deals with the MLS clubs.
During the State of the League in November 2010, MLS Commissioner, Dob Garber said,

"All but a handful of our teams have jersey front sponsors. We'll be announcing additional new sponsors probably during the next 30 to 45 days. Within the next year every one of our teams will likely have a jersey front sponsor." 

Twelve clubs will feature sponsors on the front of jerseys in the upcoming season.

Philadelphia Union's 2011 MLS SuperDraft

The Philadelphia Union has positioned itself nicely for the future with its choices in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft, which is what a team should do in the draft. The Union picked in the fifth spot in each of the three rounds of the SuperDraft, and selected Maryland goalkeeper Zac MacMath in the first round, North Carolina midfielder Michael Farfan in the second, and University of Maryland Baltimore County forward Levi Houapeu in the third. What does this mean for the Union's future?

Union fans are still talking about goalkeeper Chris Seitz's unsuccessful tenure in Chester (time to let it go, folks) and his subsequent loss via the expansion draft, leaving Brad Knighton as the only goalkeeper on the roster (third goalkeeper Bryan Perk was waived in the middle of the 2010 campaign and is now with the L.A. Galaxy). Rumors about the signing of Colombian national goalie Faryd Mondragon, last under contract and playing for 1. FC Köln in Germany, have been swirling around for a few weeks now. While the signing remains unconfirmed by the Philadelphia front office, it is widely considered a done deal. If that is the case, Mondragon would undoubtedly start for the Union, ceding playtime to Knighton and mentoring both Knighton and MacMath on the finer points of playing under the goalposts. Mondragon is an experienced, able goalie who will provide security and strong direction to the Philadelphia defense. Knighton and MacMath are exciting young prospects who will benefit tremendously from Mondragon's tutelage, and when he leaves, which I would expect would be no later than the 2014 season, the then-23-year-old MacMath will be a rising star in the league. If Knighton fluorishes, he may attract the attention of European teams which would mean a decent payoff for the Union. If Mondragon does not stay until 2014, Knighton will have his chance for the Union as the starter, and MacMath will learn from Knighton as well. Expect Knighton to play around 8-10 games as the Philadelphia starter in 2011, and to see MacMath play in exhibition games and perhaps get one or two chances under goal.

Using Soccer to Fight Cancer

Original article appeared on BrotherlyGame.com

Soccer in the United States has seen various promotions of fundraising campaigns to fight disease and benefit communities.  Major League Soccer held Breast Cancer Awareness Nights with each club throughout the month in October 2010.  Special edition, pink adidas Jabulani balls were used during matches, in addition to pink Gatorade towels, goalkeeper gloves, sweatbands, patches and signage around the stadiums. All of this was made possible through the MLS W.O.R.K.S program, which develops soccer fields in urban locations and communities, promotes sustainability in soccer, and supports community service throughout the regions which the MLS impacts.

Proposal To Improve The Game

Penalty shootouts to decide a game after 90 minutes of regular playing time and 30 minutes of extra time have been criticized for a long time by players, coaches, and fans. Ask one hundred people and you will get one hundred different ideas for solving this problem. The various governing bodies have considered or used alternatives such as the Golden Goal rule, in which the first team to score during extra time won the match, but this resulted in defensive matches that hoped to avoid damage rather than create opportunities. Other suggested actions, never seriously considered at any level, have included tallying various combinations of corner kicks, shots on goal, goals scored during a series of one-on-two scrimmages or a set of corner kicks. Unfortunately, few if any of them would result in prettier soccer, and all of them seem artificial. Until now.

MLS Teams Adopting Club Model to Develop Talent

Original article appeared on BrotherlyGame.com

The New Year will undoubtedly be one of growth for soccer academies across the United States. Youth soccer and the development of homegrown players (i.e. Philadelphia Union’s signing of Zach Pfeffer) is key to the long-term success of the Men’s and Women’s National Teams, as well as Major League Soccer. The framework for soccer clubs and academies was laid in 2010 during the inaugural season for the Philadelphia Union and with the introduction of expansion club, Vancouver Whitecaps FC.

Marketing a Player vs. a Club

     Marketing a specific player vs. marketing an entire team is an important distinction, and understanding the power of each is key. In the MLS, as in any business, there are essentially two types of customers: new and repeat. Everyone knows the name of the game is to get more new customers and turn them into repeats, however, the question is how to accomplish that. There are many different answers, but two simple strategies have already been mentioned above.

     To get people 'in the door', or in the case of an MLS club, in the stadium, focus on marketing specific key, and more importantly popular, players. For example, David Beckham, Thierry Henry, etc. Beckham has perhaps brought more new fans to the parks in the past few years than any other player in the league. The big name players are a great marketing tool in this sense. The problem becomes, how do you turn a fan that goes to a game only to see David Beckham into a fan that goes to multiple games a season to see the LA Galaxy.

Read More >> 

10 Things to look forward to in 2011.

As 2011 approaches, we have much to look forward to as a soccer nation. It is comforting to know that, yes, soccer is here to stay in the States. Where are we going from here?

1.  New Soccer-Specific Stadiums

Vancouver's BC Place

Portland Timbers are optimistic for the April 14th target date for the unveiling of its renovated PGE Park, when it will host Chicago Fire in its home opener. The second 2011 expansion club, Vancouver Whitecaps FC will play in two facilities, Empire Field and BC Place. BC Place will be the official home of the Whitecaps, following renovations and the installation of a retractable roof. Sporting KC has set a Summer 2011 date for KC Soccer Stadium. San Jose Earthquakes are still hoping for a 15,000 seat stadium in 2012. New England Revolution have yet to set a date, but appears the 2012 will also see the grand opening of soccer stadium near Boston.

2.  Expanded Televised Coverage
Major League Soccer is seeking to renew deal with Fox Soccer Channel worth $20 million per year. The asking price is almost seven times more than the current deal. The previous contract netted the MLS $3 million annually. It will be interesting to see the finalized figures and the justification the MLS provides for the enormous increase.

Gillette ends relationship with Messi, Henry, Kaka and Marquez

Shaving and skin care giant, Gillette, has ended its marketing campaign with several footballers, including Lionel Messi, Thierry Henry, Kaka and Rafa Marquez. Gillette is ending its 'Champions' campaign, which the four superstars were a part of, beginning in 2007. Messi was featured in recent Gillette commercials, replacing Henry, among the other athletes (including Tiger Woods, Derek Jeter, etc.) as the soccer representative.

The 'Champions' series became one of the most successful global marketing efforts in Gillette's history. Gillette used 38 different athletic endorsers from seven different sports to reach consumers in 180 countries.

Goal of the Year (2010)

The 2010 BusinessofSoccer.com Goal of the Year is from Lierse footballer, Wesley Sonck, in a December 18th match versus Racing Genk in the Belgian Pro League.

Week in Review: Countdown to 2011

As many have begun holiday breaks and preparation for festivities, 2011 looks to be an exciting year that is just around the corner. We are left with a few items that will be of interest in the new year.

New Stadium Plans for D.C. United
Washington D.C based club, D.C. United, may be calling Baltimore home in 2012 (or at least playing there). Baltimore Development Corporation released a report indicating that a soccer-specific stadium in the city's Westport section would "generate up to 940 new jobs and $2.8 million in city tax revenue."

ESPN looks to grow abroad
ESPN has expressed interest in growing its network across the pond in the U.K. Besides World Cup and MLS matches, ESPN has also only televised UEFA Champions League matches. An opportunity to obtain the rights to English soccer match presents a new opportunity in addition to earning a good reputation in the U.K.

MLS wants New Deal from FSC
Major League Soccer is seeking to renew deal with Fox Soccer Channel worth $20 million per year. The asking price is almost seven times more than the current deal. The previous contract netted the MLS $3 million annually. It will be interesting to see the finalized figures and the justification the MLS provides for the enormous increase.

CEO of MLSE Retires

Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment President and CEO, Richard Peddie, has announced his retirement effective in 2011.


MLSE is the owner of Toronto F.C., as well as a number of professional sports teams in Toronto including the Raptors and Mapleleafs.

Peddie took office in November 1996 as Major League Soccer began its inaugural season. He was an important part of establishing Toronto F.C. as an MLS Expansion Club in 2007, seemingly eleven years in the making during Peddie's tenure.

Barcelona to sport New Sponsor in 2011

FC Barcelona has signed a deal with The Qatar Foundation effective for the 2011 season. The deal will not end Barça's relationship with UNICEF, as both organization will share space on the kits.

The new sponsorship deal with net Barça $200 million through the 2016 season. The five year deal with make it the highest paid kit sponsorship on an annual basis. The team will receive $20 million for the second half of the current season and $40 million for each of the following five seasons. Additionally, Barça will receive a bonus of $7 million if able to add any trophies to its already substantial collection.

The Qatar Foundation will become the first official kit sponsor of FC Barcelona in the hundred-eleven year history of the club. Never has the club signed a kit sponsorship deal to generate additional revenue. However, it is now more important than ever as Barça has more than $500 million in debt to manage.

Schweinsteiger extends Bayern contract till 2016

BERLIN (Reuters) - Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has extended his contract with the German champions by four years until 2016.
Grabbing the stadium microphone minutes after their 3-0 Bundesliga win over St Pauli, the German international told the fans: "I have extended my contract and will stay here until 2016. Long live Bayern".

Schweinsteiger, 26, has become an influential figure for club and country and helped Germany to a third-place finish at the World Cup in South Africa earlier this year.
Bayern coach Louis van Gaal recently urged the club to consider selling Schweinsteiger at the end of the season should he refuse to sign an extension, so as not to lose out on a transfer fee worth tens of millions of euros.

Barcelona discusses Social Media.

Lander Unzueta Chief Marketing Officer (FC Barcelona) discusses the impact of social media and the growth of the brand that FC Barcelona has become.

To register for free with MeettheBoss.tv to watch the entire seventeen minute video, click here.

Seattle announces Open Tryouts.

The business of open tryouts is interesting. The odds of making it big? Some would say you are better off purchasing a scratch off. Maybe two.

Seattle Sounders announced today that the club will be hosting open tryouts on January 29th and 30th. At $125 per player, it is good to see Seattle committing the proceeds to their youth soccer academy.

10 Things FIFA's Decision Says about the United States.

As the light continues to fade and the United States' World Cup bid hopes are put on hold for at least four additional years, FIFA World Cup selection for the 2022 bid makes important statements about soccer in America.

1.  The Goal of FIFA is to develop the Game around the World
A nod to the United States may have been FIFA's decision to not award us the World Cup. The decision says a professional league is (finally) sustainable. FIFA is about introducing the atmosphere the World Cup brings into new environments and cultures. While the nostalgic feeling of 1994 is still in Americans' veins, it is that feeling which must be felt in its homegrown clubs and stadiums around the country and not just Seattle, Philadelphia and Los Angeles.

2.  FIFA is about Firsts.

The World Cup has been on North American soil before, in both Mexico and the United States. The tournament has yet to reach Middle Eastern soil. The opportunity to play a part of improving political relations by including Qatar in its bigger plan will significantly impact more than soccer.

3.  Proximity is everything.

The locations of the stadiums is every bit as important as the infrastructure to transport fans from match to match. The advantage, which Qatar presents, is the ability to introduce new stadiums and new infrastructure. There is little need for renovation as with other nations. Qatar presents an opportunity for FIFA to build it into a nation, which bleeds soccer.

Qatar's World Cup Stadium Concepts to become reality.

For more pictures of the Qatar 2022 stadiums, click here.

USA loses 2022 FIFA World Cup Bid. What have we learned?

In 2022, Qatar will become the first Middle Eastern nation to host the FIFA World Cup.  Smallest country ever to host. Qatar is smaller than Connecticut. The nation has never qualified for a World Cup. 2022 will be Qatar's first World Cup, as an automatic qualifier.

"Oil and natural gas won today. This was not about merit, this was about money."
                                                       - Former U.S. Men's National Team star, Eric Wynalda

Qatar will budget $50 billion for infrastructure upgrades and an additional $4 billion on nine new stadiums and renovations to three existing facilities.  More intriguing is the advantage of a small nation and locality of its stadiums - all twelve stadiums will be located within thirty minutes of one another.

In a video produced by the Wall Street Journal, FIFA President Sepp Blatter, initially mentioning the success the World Cup in the United States and Major League Soccer, emphasizes the problems with American soccer.  He includes the lack of all soccer specific stadiums, failure to adopt the international calendar, and inability to attract top talent.  Simply put, the MLS "not credible," as American born players leave to play with clubs abroad.  Additionally, Blatter has not hidden his distaste for the Major League Soccer's closed league system.

adidas the only fit for MLS?

In light of MLS Commissioner, Don Garber's recent comments regarding the hope for every team in Major League Soccer to have a kit sponsor, we are reminded of the exclusive kit, equipment and advertising partner, adidas.

During the 2010 State of the League, Garber hinted at the following:

"All but a handful of our teams have jersey front sponsors. We'll be announcing additional new sponsors probably during the next 30 to 45 days. Within the next year every one of our teams will likely have a jersey front sponsor."

Congratulations to first time MLS Cup Champs, the Colorado Rapids