New York, NY - New York based sports, media and entertainment company, SCP Worldwide has finalized a historic, multi-faceted partnership with Real Madrid, one of sports most heralded franchises. The announcement was made today by David W. Checketts, chairman, SCP Worldwide. Mr. Checketts recently finalized the agreement with Real Madrid President, Ramon Calderón. The agreement is the most advanced rollout plan for a European Club and marks the 30-time Spanish league champions first major brand initiative in the U.S.
The multi-year partnership includes the creation of elite soccer academies and camps, broadcasting rights to Real Madrid television content (including broadband, VOD and podcasting), and management of the team's U.S. "Friendlies" tour. In addition, SCP has created www.realmadridamerica.com which will serve as the official destination for U.S. based Real Madrid fans. It will feature daily news on the club, provide a "shop" to purchase team-related merchandise and offer broadband content.
"This is a historic day for soccer in this country," said David W. Checketts, chairman, SCP Worldwide. "Real Madrid is quite arguably the most famous sports franchise in the world and I think it speaks volumes to the growth of soccer in the U.S. that a team steeped in such success and tradition has made this type of commitment to the U.S. market. We look forward to building a robust business around this brand."
Veteran sports and media executive, Pamela Harris will serve as CEO of the Real Madrid North America business for SCP Worldwide, working closely with Real Madrid executives to develop the wide-ranging initiatives the partnership includes.
SCP Worldwide + Real Madrid
Over the past three years, SCP Worldwide has established a strong relationship with Real Madrid. This 105 year-old club, named FIFA's "Club of the 20th Century", is undoubtedly the world's most famous sports franchise - having won more national and European championships than any team in any sport. It is also the most valuable sports franchise in the world - topping the Deloitte Money League List for the past two years with $460 million in revenue last season.
The relationship began in 2004 when Mr. Checketts traveled to Spain to meet with the President of Real Madrid and secured their Board's approval to name his new MLS team Real Salt Lake in homage to the best of the best.
This unique friendship has flourished since then. In summer of 2006, SCP oversaw Real Madrid's North American Tour, selling out friendly matches in Utah (44,000) and Seattle (65,000). While in Salt Lake City, the entire Spanish team picked up shovels to help break ground for the new Real Salt Lake stadium in Sandy, Utah.
On the training side, RSL players conducted their pre-season preparation at RM's brand-new "Sports City" training site, working closely with RM coaches and trainers to develop skills and prepare for the upcoming MLS season. As "sister" teams, RM plans to loan developmental players to RSL to enhance their training and speed up their progress.
From this strong platform, the partnership between the two groups began to grow and has culminated with this historic partnership.
About SCP Worldwide
Based in New York City, SCP Worldwide is a sports, media and entertainment company with worldwide assets that is owned and operated by David W. Checketts and his partners, Mike McCarthy, Ken Munoz, Chris Bevilacqua, Dean Howes and Alan Pace. Together they form an experienced management team with a proven track record in the sports, entertainment, media and financial fields which include Madison Square Garden and its cable networks MSG, FSN New York, the first-ever college sports network, CSTV, the first-ever college conference network, the MTN and Lehman Brothers.
SCP Worldwide's growing cadre of properties include: the National Hockey League's St. Louis Blues, Scottrade Center and Kiel Opera House in St. Louis, Missouri; Major League Soccer's Real Salt Lake and Sports Radio KALL 700 AM in Salt Lake City, Utah; a controlling interest in New York City based Running Subway, a live entertainment company which recently produced "Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical" on Broadway this past Holiday Season; and heralded television and broadband production company, Tupelo-Honey Productions.
In addition, SCP Worldwide is constructing a soccer-specific stadium with related entertainment elements in Sandy, Utah and has recently purchased the exclusive media rights to the South American World Cup (2010) qualifying matches.
