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Columbus Crew’s Darlington Nagbe to be Featured in Audi, MLS, and The Players’ Tribune “Celebrating Impact” Content Series

Darlington Nagbe content to debut across *The Players’ Tribune* channels on September 30

HERO_Audi Celebrating Impact_Jared Wickerham_ThePlayersTribune

COLUMBUS // NEW YORK (September 30, 2024) – Audi of America, Major League Soccer and The Players’ Tribune today announced that Darlington Nagbe of Columbus Crew will be featured in the Celebrating Impact content series for his demonstration of excellence in driving progress in his community.

  • Media assets can be found *here*

Working directly with Nagbe to spotlight causes that are important to him, content will be unveiled through written, video, and social across The Players’ Tribune’s and MLS’ channels, amplifying the power of Nagbe’s voice and raising awareness for charities close to his heart.

Nagbe has a longstanding history of positively impacting the community and relationship with the Boys and Girls Club of Central Ohio. He has personally donated backpacks and sweatshirts to the organization. In preparation for the second annual 614 Day, the Lakewood, Ohio native also hosted the “Pump Up Party” at Lower.com Field, where Nagbe and volunteers from across the city inflated 614 soccer balls for donation to local youth in Columbus. As an ambassador for the One Our Sleeves Movement for Children’s Mental Health, Nagbe helps to raise awareness and break stigmas around children’s mental health. During Mental Health Awareness month, Nagbe visited Nationwide Children’s Hospital to have a conversation about the role parents have in creating positive sports environments for kids. Last year, Nagbe hosted young kids in the Cleveland area for the Crew Youth Pro Player Series which saw kids from all over Ohio learn from one of the best in the game.

“It is an honor to be featured in the Celebrating Impact content series, as being a voice for positive social change is such an important part of my life,” said Nagbe. “I’m fortunate to have the platform to help inspire and make a positive impact, and I’m committed to continuing to give back to the Central Ohio community, a place that means so much to me.”

In honor of Nagbe’s incredible work driving progress off the field, Audi will be making a $40,000 contribution through the Audi Goals Drive Progress fund to the nonprofit Nagbe selected: The Boys and Girls Club of Central Ohio.

Audi’s immense commitment to community projects will continue to be highlighted as part of the end-of-year player recognitions through the return of the Audi Goals Drive Progress Impact Award. A selection committee – comprised of current players, technical staff, front office staff and media members – will consider current MLS players who are dedicated to enriching lives and improving communities across the league. A $150,000 contribution will be made to the player’s charity of choice and presented to the winner during MLS Cup presented by Audi.

Audi’s immense commitment to community projects will continue to be highlighted as part of the end-of-year player recognitions through the return of the Audi Goals Drive Progress Impact Award. A selection committee – comprised of current players, technical staff, front office staff and media members – will consider current MLS players who are dedicated to enriching lives and improving communities across the league. A $150,000 contribution will be made to the player’s charity of choice and presented to the winner during MLS Cup presented by Audi.

A longstanding partner of MLS, Audi has made an immeasurable impact on the lives and playing careers of young soccer players as the force behind the Audi Goals Drive Progress initiative. Launched in 2019, the initiative provides funding to further enhance the experience of young players on and off the field at MLS academies, which play an essential role in developing talented players across the league. The Audi Goals Drive Progress initiative has evolved to not only support player development on the pitch but also bring an impact off the pitch by financially supporting and spotlighting the community initiatives of players. Since the program’s inception, Audi has funded a combined total of $5 million to support MLS academies and player selected charity organizations.

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ABOUT MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER

Headquartered in New York City, Major League Soccer -- celebrating its 29th season in 2024 -- features 30 clubs throughout the United States and Canada, including a new expansion team in San Diego that will debut in 2025. All MLS, Leagues Cup, and select MLS NEXT Pro and MLS NEXT matches can be watched through MLS Season Pass, available on the Apple TV app on Apple devices, smart TVs, streaming devices, set-top boxes, and game consoles, and the web at tv.apple.com. MLS Season Pass features the most expansive and accessible lineup of programming ever for MLS fans. For more information about MLS, visit mlssoccer.com. For more information about the Apple TV app, visit apple.com/apple-tv-app.

ABOUT AUDI OF AMERICAAt Audi of America, we believe the future is electric. By 2025, our U.S. model lineup will be at least 30 percent electrified, including fully electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. Globally, we are committed to net CO2 neutrality by 2050. In 2023, Audi sold a record-breaking 228,550 vehicles in the U.S. Among those deliveries, Audi sold more fully electric models than ever before, achieved record Audi Sport sales, and had a record-breaking year in after sales. Learn more about who we are and how we’re working to create a more sustainable, innovative, and inclusive future at audiusa.com or media.audiusa.com.

ABOUT THE PLAYERS’ TRIBUNE

The Players' Tribune is the leading sports content platform that developed the blueprint for athlete-driven storytelling. Created by athletes for athletes, The Players' Tribune provides athletes with premium tools and resources to produce truly personal content and tell their stories. Founded by Derek Jeter in 2014 and acquired by Minute Media in 2019, The Players' Tribune has reimagined the world of sports and culture globally, through the player's point of view. For more information visit www.theplayerstribune.com, or interact with the team on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Media Contacts:

For Major League Soccer

Peter O’Brien

For Audi

Amanda Koons

For The Players’ Tribune

Paige Graham