It was a banner week for soccer sponsorships in the great state of Texas. Both the Houston Dynamo (MLS) and Galveston Pirate (NPSL) announced major sponsorship deals that put them in the forefront of their respective leagues.
The Houston Dynamo announced a long-term sponsorship agreement with Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) on Thursday. The agreement will make Mazda the official vehicle of the Houston Dynamo as well as a founding partner of BBVA Compass Stadium, which will open May 12.
The agreement signals Mazda’s first sports sponsorship in Houston and provides automotive exclusivity with regard to sponsorship rights for the Houston Dynamo. As part of the agreement, for each Dynamo home game this coming season, there will be a Mazda preferred parking area for select fans at BBVA Compass Stadium. The first four Mazda cars that enter the specified lot will be able to park free of charge. The exact location of the lot will be announced at a later date.
“Mazda is proud to be the official car of the Houston Dynamo Soccer Club. Our dealers have been serving the Houston-area for more than thirty years and are committed to their community,” said Jim O’Sullivan, president and CEO, MNAO. “We look forward to a long relationship with the Houston Dynamo and congratulate them on their new stadium.”
When BBVA Compass Stadium officially opens, customers will have the opportunity to test drive the newest Mazda cars at a two-day Mazda Test Drive Experience event to be held at the Dynamo’s new downtown soccer facility.
“We are pleased and honored to introduce Mazda as a founding partner of BBVA Compass Stadium and a team partner for the Houston Dynamo,” said Dynamo Senior Vice President for Business Development Steven Powell. “Mazda is a strong, international brand and we look forward to a long and prosperous relationship with one of the world’s most innovative automotive manufacturing companies.”
The Galveston Pirate made a huge splash in the NPSL, signing a five-year sponsorship deal with Admiral Sportswear. Admiral is a brand once worn by some of the biggest names in the world of soccer, including Manchester United, the New York Cosmos, the Vancouver Whitecaps, and the English national team.
Today the brand has made a resurgence in North America and is being worn by champions like the Minnesota Stars (NASL) and Kitsap Pumas (PDL). Admiral is also worn by numerous other USL-Pro, NPSL, MISL, and WPSL clubs such as the Puerto Rico Islanders, AFC Cleveland, Norfolk SharX, and the LA Vikings.
Galveston Pirate is excited about playing in the NPSL in 2012 with a major sponsor like Admiral in tow.
“I believe Admiral will take Galveston Pirate SC to a new level of professionalism with the players running out on the field in style with top quality apparel for the upcoming NPSL season,” Galveston SC President Brendan Keyes stated. “I look forward to working with Paul Hamburger and his staff for many years, building a trusting relationship between both organizations.”
Admiral Sportswear is excited about breaking into a new market like the Southwest.
“The USA is a really important market for Admiral. There are more soccer players here than in England, Germany, Italy and Spain added together,” Admiral CEO Paul Hamburger commented. “It’s the right partnership for a team and a sports brand both going places.”
