NEW YORK - Major League Soccer and MLJ Inc. have reached an agreement to produce the first-ever MLS mobile content site in Japan, MLS' first-ever in Asia. Meeting the demands of a rapidly developing cellular infrastructure, the agreement will provide MLJ, a Tokyo-based technology company, the exclusive rights to use and distribute exclusive MLS digital content through mobile phones and the internet.
As part of the far-reaching agreement, the MLS mobile site will feature match results, event information, player biographies, highlight videos, and much more. Through an extensive subscription base in Japan, MLJ will distribute the latest information relating to Major League Soccer. The two entities will work together to coordinate the promotion of the site, which will help drive the top-flight league's incursion in Japan. The MLS mobile site will launch via three phone carriers in Japan - this Monday, January 21 for the NTT Docomo network, on January 24 for KDDI, and Feb. 1 for Softbank.
"As part of the league's global new media plans, this incursion into Asia is an important milestone for MLS in the world of mobile content," said MLS President Mark Abbott. "This also highlights the league's focus on the Asian market and expanding our footprint among fans."
MLJ becomes the latest new media to join forces with the League. In May 2007, Major League Soccer secured a partnership with YouTube for online video content. The agreement with MLJ is only the most recent example of the League's commitment to media innovation and expansion into emerging markets.
MLJ is also a presenting sponsor of the inaugural Pan-Pacific Championship, which is a property of Major League Soccer's commercial arm, Soccer United Marketing. This marquee international soccer tournament will be held on February 20 and 23, 2008 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, HI. The four clubs participating in the 2008 tournament include the reigning MLS Cup champion Houston Dynamo, the current J.League Yamazaki Nabisco Cup Champion Gamba Osaka, 2007 SuperLiga finalists Los Angeles Galaxy, featuring English superstar David Beckham, and a representative team from the Australian Hyundai A-League to be announced shortly.
As part of its partnership with the Pan-Pacific Championship, MLJ will receive the exclusive mobile and online rights to all PPC games in Japan, logo exposure in all worldwide advertisements, and ad inventory during the broadcasts. MLJ will also develop and produce content and technology solutions for the official PPC website, www.PPChampionship.net.
ABOUT MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER
Headquartered in New York City, Major League Soccer is the top-flight professional soccer league in the United States and Canada and features many stars from North America and around the world. The 14 teams that will compete in MLS in 2008 are: the Chicago Fire, Colorado Rapids, Chivas USA, Columbus Crew, D.C. United, FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo, Kansas City Wizards, Los Angeles Galaxy, Red Bull New York, New England Revolution, San Jose Earthquakes, Real Salt Lake and Toronto FC. A new expansion team in Seattle will begin play in 2009. The 2008 Pepsi MLS All-Star Game will be played at BMO Field in Toronto, home of Toronto FC. MLS Cup 2008, the League's 13th championship game, will be played at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calf. home to Chivas USA and the Los Angeles Galaxy. For more information about MLS, log on to the League's official web site at www.MLSnet.com.
ABOUT MLJ, Inc.
Tokyo-based technology company MLJ, Inc., a digital content distributor, has turned the attention to mobile Internet service through the advancement of content distribution through cellular phones. Areas of specialty include development and promotion of content such as music, sports and entertainment. MLJ is committed to the technological challenge in order to enhance the life style of Asian communities. As advancements in the 21st Century present myriad opportunities, MLJ pledges to fulfill the hearts and the lives of our communities, which in turn will result in unprecedented happiness and enjoyment. MLJ will always stay at the front of this IT Society to face evolutionary challenges. For more information about MLJ, visit the MLJ's US official web site at www.MLJ-usa-inc.com.
