USL News Release
Monday, March 21, 2011
TAMPA, Fla. – United Soccer Leagues is pleased to announce that it has expanded its relationship with Umbro, its longest-serving and most prominent corporate partner, beginning with the 2011 season.
Since the mid 1990s, Umbro has been deeply involved with USL as both its official sponsor and formerly, as a majority shareholder. When NuRock Soccer Holdings acquired USL from Umbro’s parent company, Nike, in August of 2009, a new long-term partnership was forged between Umbro and USL.
“With the expansion of our partnership agreement, Umbro has made a definitive statement that USL is a platform from which they can increase the profile of their brand in North America.” USL CEO Alec Papadakis said. “Our organizations have enjoyed a very meaningful association for nearly the past two decades, and this announcement ensures that the relationship will feature Umbro’s active involvement with USL and all of its leagues and properties through at least 2018. We are excited to be able to utilize the support provided by Umbro to directly benefit our teams, leagues and the USL brand, and believe that this further solidifies USL’s place as the leading system of elite developmental soccer leagues on the continent.“
Both Umbro and USL have spent the past several months working to identify initiatives that will help increase Umbro’s participation with USL, accelerate Umbro’s growth in North America, and support the overall objectives of USL teams. Among the highlights of the strengthened partnership are:
• Umbro will serve as the “Presenting Sponsor” for at least all USL League Championships with teams vying for the Umbro Cup (Playoff Championship Trophy)
• Umbro will provide a comprehensive team kit package to all USL PRO members
• Umbro will provide a sponsorship package for the PDL and W-League Championship events to enhance the professionalism of the event and offset travel related costs for participating teams.
“Not only do we continue to enjoy our longstanding relationship with United Soccer Leagues, we feel energized about the vision and direction USL’s ownership has for the game throughout North America and the Caribbean,” said Richard Nightingale, General Manager of Umbro North America. “We’re looking forward to amplifying our existing involvement with USL PRO and investing additional resources that will benefit and enhance the experience of all teams playing in the United Soccer Leagues.”
Umbro, one of the world’s leading international brands of soccer uniforms, footwear, equipment and soccer-related apparel, is a proud sponsor and the official equipment supplier of United Soccer Leagues.
Founded in 1924, Umbro has built, through the years, a strong reputation as supplier to the world’s best soccer teams and the leading grass roots sponsor of the game in the United States. Umbro’s double diamond logo is recognized on all seven continents, in the sport’s largest arenas, which are home to the world’s greatest soccer teams.