Barca strikes deal with MLS
2 hours, 4 minutes ago
Buzz Up PrintBy Simon Lewis PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer
NEW YORK (Ticker) - European soccer giant Barcelona signed a five-year strategic partnership with Major League Soccer, the league announced Thursday.
The two-time Champions League winners from Spain are the first European club to enter into such an agreement with MLS and its marketing arm Soccer United Marketing, the U.S. professional league said in a press release.
The deal guarantees that Barcelona, who appear set to retain international stars for next season such as Thierry Henry, Rafael Marquez and Lionel Messi, will visit the United States for a minimum of six exhibition matches during the five-year partnership, including a tour this summer, with SUM managing every commercial, marketing and PR aspect of the games on American soil.
“FCB is a world-renowned brand for its great history of special players, entertaining play and success,” MLS Commissioner Don Garber said. “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.”
Barcelona, who this year is third in Spain’s La Liga and reached the Champions League semifinals, first made serious attempts to gain a foothold in the American soccer market following the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
Barca, led by Brazilian star Ronaldinho, toured the USA to great success, selling out all three of its matches in Los Angeles, Houston and East Rutherford, New Jersey, with an average crowd of 80,734.
“After a successful tour in 2006, we at FC Barcelona are excited to embrace a long-term strategy for our brand in the U.S. market,” club president Joan Laporta said.
“This represents a true North American expansion for FC Barcelona. We are sure that, with the cooperation of MLS and SUM, Barca will become more recognizable among the North American public, as well as continue the growth of soccer in the United States.”
Details of this summer’s tour were not released on Thursday but are expected “in the near future,” the MLS statement said.