Major League Soccer club Orlando City has signed a multi-year partnership with the Walt Disney World Resort theme park ahead of its debut season, while MLS counterparts Sporting Kansas City and Philadelphia Union have also secured new sponsorship deals.
Walt Disney World Resort becomes a founding sponsor of Orlando City and the club’s official theme park and resort destination, while its affiliate companies Disney Cruise Line and Disney Vacation Club will also benefit from official designations.
Disney will have a significant presence at the Citrus Bowl during Orlando City home matches and at games when the team moves to its new stadium in 2016.
Orlando City is set to collaborate will ESPN Wide World of Sports at the resort on a range of football events, while Disney hopes for a boost in key travel markets across Latin America under the agreement.
Orlando City president and founder Phil Rawlins said: “Over 60 million tourists visited Orlando last year – with many coming from Brazil. There’s a natural synergy here to showcase all the wonder that is the City Beautiful. We also look forward to jointly hosting additional high-profile soccer events at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Disney through this relationship to the benefit of our fans, our community and the region.”
Elsewhere, tax preparation company H&R Block has signed a multi-year deal to become a first team partner of Sporting Kansas City, upgrading from a previous lower-tier sponsorship with the team.
Philadelphia Union has entered into a similarly long-term agreement with automobile breakdown cover company AAA, making it the club’s official roadside assistance membership programme.
AAA will benefit from prominent signage at Philadelphia’s PPL Park and promotion on the team’s television broadcasts, while members will receive the opportunity to buy advanced merchandise and tickets for PPL Park events.
The 2015 MLS season kicks off tomorrow (Friday), with Orlando hosting fellow league newcomer New York City on Sunday.