International sports media company, MP & Silva, signed a long-term, broad partnership with Major League Soccer (MLS), North America’s top-flight professional soccer league.
As part of the agreement, MP & Silva acquires the exclusive television rights for Major League Soccer outside North America through the 2013 season. The deal includes the exclusive rights to all MLS games, tournaments and events, including MLS regular season, MLS Cup Playoffs, MLS Cup, and the international competitions SuperLiga, InterLiga and Pan-Pacific Championship.
“This is an important partnership for Major League Soccer and all of our clubs and we are pleased to cement a long-term strategic partnership with MP & Silva,” said Doug Quinn, president of Soccer United Marketing, Major League Soccer’s marketing arm.
“Taking advantage of MP & Silva’s international expertise in operating and commercialising soccer leagues and clubs, we aim to expand our global distribution and penetrate strategic markets. Furthermore, our increased television rights revenues will help to ensure long-term growth for MLS.”
“Major League Soccer has certainly come a long way since its founding in 1996, and we are equally excited and determined to bring MLS to the next level,” added Carlo Pozzali, managing director, MPS America. “Through our broad partnership with MLS we aim to strengthen the league’s international profile, popularity and visibility, and help MLS extend its reach to new emerging markets, including Asia-Pacific.”
According to MP & Silva, the company is expected to play a key strategic role in helping MLS to raise its international profile and popularity. MP & Silva will support all MLS-related activities – which will include production, international player recruitment, as well as developing various opportunities with other international soccer clubs.
The upcoming 2009 MLS season will see an expansion, with Seattle Sounders FC making their debut next season. In recent months MLS announced that the League will be further expanded to 18 teams by 2011, with a Philadelphia-based club coming in as the 16th club for the 2010 season.
