The Houston Dynamo announced a unique new jersey sponsorship deal on Wednesday, unveiling a partnership with the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center that sees the world-class cancer prevention and treatment program become the club’s official cancer center and jersey partner.
The first season-long cause-related jersey partnership in MLS history, the multi-year agreement will feature cancer-prevention education, community outreach, survivorship celebrations, public service announcements and philanthropic initiatives.
"We are honored to join forces with the Houston Dynamo in an effort to beat this terrible disease," said MD Anderson president Peter WT Pisters, M.D. in a club release. "This unique collaboration will provide a platform for educating millions of fans on how they can reduce their own cancer risk and actively engage in our collective efforts toward Making Cancer History."
Attendees at Wednesday’s launch event got the first look at La Naranja’s 2019 away jersey bearing MD Anderson's strike-through-cancer logo. In the Dynamo’s words, the co-branded jersey “symbolizes the two organizations' mutual commitment to encouraging fans, club partners and the Houston community to join the team effort in Making Cancer History.”
The partnership agreement also enables MD Anderson to reach a broad, diverse and international audience through joint community events with the Dynamo, who will engage player ambassadors in cancer-prevention education initiatives and create fundraising opportunities.
“I am extremely pleased to welcome MD Anderson as a part of our club and I am proud to have such a highly respected organization on the front of our shirts,” Dynamo owner Gabriel Brener said. “I am sure that our fans will feel that same pride in knowing that they are not only supporting a club, but are also supporting a truly worthwhile mission. The opportunity for our club to help MD Anderson promote such an important cause – to end cancer – is something that was very much worth waiting for and one that excites and motivates everyone at our club.”
The Dynamo also announced that BBVA Compass Stadium will become a tobacco- and smoke-free facility as of Jan. 1, 2019. Smoking and tobacco already were prohibited inside the seating bowl and concourse, and today’s announcement extends the policy throughout the property.
Plans are also in development for healthy concession menu options to be available at the venue for the 2019 MLS season, and the Dynamo have committed to donating a portion of single-game ticket sales to MD Anderson, along with offering fans the option to add on a donation of their own during the purchase process.
Dynamo jerseys featuring the MD Anderson logo will be available for purchase in the spring.
