NEW YORK — Soccer United Marketing, MLS’ marketing arm, today announced a multi-property partnership extension with Visa. The agreement renews the global payments technology company’s status as the Official Payment Services Company of Major League Soccer, U.S. Soccer, and the Mexican National Soccer Team’s U.S. Tour, until 2014. Visa has been partners with all three organizations since 2007.
“The recent FIFA World Cup™ performance by the U.S. Men’s National Team in South Africa and the Women’s National Team in Germany has helped increase consumer interest in soccer in the U.S.,” said Alex Craddock, Head of North America Marketing, Visa Inc. “As the U.S. Men’s National Team prepares for Brazil 2014, the renewed SUM sponsorship agreement which supports Visa’s FIFA partnership, will help connect Visa and our clients to a multicultural and passionate soccer fan base across the USA. We continue to invest in sponsorship properties that deliver tangible and proven business building benefits to Visa, its clients and partners.”
Visa will continue to receive exclusive onsite promotional rights at annual MLS special events including the AT&T MLS All-Star Game and MLS Cup, as well as all Mexican National Team and U.S. National Team games played in the United States. Visa will also be entitled to targeted marketing and promotional rights, including use of MLS, FMF and USSF intellectual property. Throughout the term, Visa cardholders will continue to have priority access to match tickets and unique fan experiences, through exclusive Visa presales and Visa Signature programs. The relationship also features a partnership with the San Jose Earthquakes.
"Visa has been a great worldwide supporter of the sport of soccer," said Kathy Carter, President of Soccer United Marketing. "We are thrilled to have Visa extend their domestic relationship with The Beautiful Game through the continuation of the partnership with MLS, U.S. Soccer and the FMF."
About VISA
Visa is a global payments technology company that connects consumers, businesses, financial institutions and governments in more than 200 countries and territories to fast, secure and reliable digital currency. Underpinning digital currency is one of the world’s most advanced processing networks—VisaNet—that is capable of handling more than 20,000 transaction messages a second, with fraud protection for consumers and guaranteed payment for merchants. Visa is not a bank and does not issue cards, extend credit or set rates and fees for consumers. Visa’s innovations, however, enable its financial institution customers to offer consumers more choices: pay now with debit, ahead of time with prepaid or later with credit products. For more information, visit www.corporate.visa.com
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About Soccer United Marketing
Founded in 2002, Soccer United Marketing (SUM) is the preeminent soccer business company in North America. SUM holds the exclusive rights to the most important soccer properties in the region, including: all commercial rights to Major League Soccer; the United States Soccer Federation; promotional and marketing rights to Mexican National Team games played in the United States; and the marketing and promotion of the CONCACAF Gold Cup™. For more information, please visit www.SUMworld.com
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