Major League Soccer (MLS) has announced it has entered into a multi-year strategic partnership with FCBarcelona, one of the world's most popular and celebrated professional soccer clubs.
The new, five-year partnership between MLS and FCBarcelona - the first-ever European club to establish a long-term agreement with MLS and SUM in the United States - includes the organization of a minimum of six international matches throughout the term. The management of all commercial and sponsorship sales on behalf of the club, as well as marketing and PR in the United States, will be managed by Major League Soccer's marketing arm, Soccer United Marketing.
As part of the agreement, FCBarcelona and its heralded roster of international superstars including Carles Puyol, Thierry Henry, Ronaldinho, Lionel Messi, Samuel Eto'o, will play games this summer. Details for the tour will be announced in the near future.
"FCB is a world-renowned brand for its great history of special players, entertaining play and success. In addition, FCB has proven itself to be more than just a club as witnessed by its commitment to worthy causes around the world," said MLS Commissioner, Don Garber. "MLS is excited to help expand the story of FCB and its efforts by showcasing its breathtaking soccer and further developing its brand in North America."
Philanthropy is an important focus of FCBarcelona. Through its slogan "Som més que un club" -- "More Than a Club" -- FCB embodies the value set that characterize their institution. On the field, and in efforts to present its attractive style of play, sportsmanship and social aspects -- focusing on those disadvantaged - FCB is giving back to the community, as the community has given to the club. To achieve this, the club counts on their FCBarcelona Foundation. Among its initiatives is the five-year partnership with Unicef, signed in 2006, in which, aside from wearing the logo on the front of the jersey, they donate almost $2.5 million dollars per year to Unicef.
The Spanish giant has to its name 18 La Liga trophies, a record-setting 24 Copa del Rey championships and two UEFA Champions League titles, the latter of which was captured in 2006 just before their record-setting tour of the United States organized by SUM.
"After a successful tour in 2006, we at FCBarcelona are excited to embrace a long-term strategy for our brand in the U.S. market," said FCBarcelona President Joan Laporta. "This represents a true North American expansion for FCBarcelona. We are sure that, with the cooperation of MLS and SUM, Barça will become more recognizable among the North American public, as well as continue the growth of soccer in the United States."
In 2006, the FCBarcelona USA Tour, managed by SUM, registered the highest average attendance for any club tour in U.S. history, averaging 80,734 in three matches, and is the only one among those tours featuring three or more games to sell out every stadium. FC Barcelona played in front of three sold-out crowds: at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (vs. CD Guadalajara, 1-1 on Aug. 6 in front of 92,650), at Reliant Stadium in Houston (vs. Club America, 3-3 on Aug. 9, with a crowd of 70,550) and at Giants Stadium in E. Rutherford, NJ (vs. NY Red Bulls, 4-1 on Aug. 12, in front of 79,002).
About Major League Soccer
Headquartered in New York City, Major League Soccer is the top-flight professional soccer league in the United States and features many stars from the U.S. and around the world. Now in its 13th season, the 14 teams in MLS are: the Chicago Fire, Colorado Rapids, Chivas USA, Columbus Crew, D.C. United, FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo, Kansas City Wizards, Los Angeles Galaxy, New York Red Bulls, New England Revolution, Real Salt Lake, San Jose Earthquakes and Toronto FC. For more information about MLS, log on to the League's official Web site at
www.MLSnet.com
About FCBarcelona
FCBarcelona is a private sports association which was founded 108 years ago. It has more than 160,000 members from all around the world and its goal is to promote sport practice as well as social, cultural and philanthropic initiatives. On the sporting front, FCB is one of the most honoured clubs in Europe. Apart from football, FCB has four other professional sports -basketball, handball, roller hockey and five a side football - and eight non-professional sports such as volleyball, athletics and ice hockey. The club channels all activities related to FC Barcelona's social identity through the FCBarcelona Foundation.
