Reuters
Published May 10, 2021 08:19AM ET
Updated May 10, 2021 08:30AM ET
By Frank Pingue
(Reuters) - New York City Football Club will become the first Major League Soccer (MLS) club to feature a small business on their shirts as the team have gifted their sleeve sponsorship to a Bronx craft chocolate company, Reuters has learned on Monday.
NYCFC, through a contest designed to help a local business impacted by COVID-19, surprised Sol Cacao with the prime advertising space to go along with the winning prize of a full partner package.
"We are proud to team up with our terrific partners at Mastercard (NYSE:MA) to provide one extremely worthy Bronx-based small business a needed lift as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact New York City," NYCFC Chief Operating Officer Matt Goodman said in a news release obtained by Reuters.
The chocolate company's logo will appear on the left sleeve of NYCFC's home and away jersey for the 2021 MLS season, which is scheduled to kick off on April 16.
MLS, the top-tier North American league, has allowed clubs to obtain sleeve sponsorship for the 2021 season in a bid to help them redeem revenue losses from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The original prize of a full partner package includes in-stadium and digital placements that will provide high-valued exposure during home games, marketing consultation, digital packaging on club channels and other assets.
NYCFC said the partnership will allow the local chocolate company to reach millions of fans.
More than 50 small businesses from across New York City entered the "City Assist Contest" and entrants had to explain their business plan and detail how the partnership would help them get back on their feet amid the pandemic.
Sol Cacao is co-owned by two brothers whose grandmother was a chocolatier in Trinidad & Tobago and they are using their heritage to bring their unique craftsmanship to the Bronx, an area that was hit especially hard by the pandemic.
"For NYCFC and Mastercard to launch this small businesses partnership program in our city after the devastating impact of the pandemic is another example of NYCFC's off the field leadership and commitment to supporting its community," Lisa Sorin, president of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce, said.
"We're delighted for Sol Cacao to receive this kind of recognition and hope that soccer fans across the city and country will be exposed to their delicious chocolate, made right here in the Bronx."
Written By: Reuters
Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.