MLS and Adidas extend partnership through 2024
A six-year extension was announced today between MLS and apparel company Adidas. MLS Commissioner Garber stressed this was the largest commercial agreement in the history of MLS. The deal is believed to be in the amount of $700 million, a significant increase over the previous deal struck in 2010 for $200 million. There is already talk that TAM (targeted allocation money) available to teams could increase next season and this could potentially increase the amount of money teams can spend on players even more.
Real Madrid defeats MLS All Stars on penalties
Real Madrid won late on penalties Wednesday night, defeating the MLS All Stars after the game ended in a 1-1 draw. Goals from Borja Mayoral and Dom Dwyer in the second half highlighted what was a rainy night in Chicago. The Spanish soccer club giants move on to play Manchester United next week in the UEFA Super Cup. For the MLS All Stars, it’s back to business when the regular season resumes this weekend.
Target announces $14 million commitment to youth soccer
Target continues to demonstrate they have doubled down on soccer at the professional level and now at the youth level. Target announced they plan to commit $14 million dollars for youth soccer. The local retail giant indicated two initiatives are being set up to drive this effort, creating an $8 million dollar local soccer grant program and announcing a $6 million dollar partnership with the U.S. Soccer Foundation to build 100 new soccer play places between now and 2020.
MLS Special Olympics Unified All-Star match ends in a draw
East drew against the West 2-2 on Tuesday in the MLS Unified All-Star match. Minnesota United’s Unified team was represented by Mikhail and Matt at Toyota Park, the Chicago Fire’s home field.
Greetings from Mikhail & Matt from our Unified squad at #MLSAllStar #MNUFC | #PlayUnifiedMLS pic.twitter.com/nQcivMtuNQ
— Minnesota United FC (@MNUFC) August 2, 2017
Other musings
- VAR will be implemented for the first time in MLS on Saturday, August 5th. Mlssoccer.com put together a FAQ.
- Bobby Shuttleworth is featured in this week’s FIFA 17 Team of the Week. EA had Bobby’s old club listed on his player card but has since been updated to accurately show the loon badge on his name.
- MLS Commissioner Don Garber indicated today that we may hear an announcement regarding expansion in Miami within the coming weeks. Decisions on the next two expansion franchises are expected in mid-December 2017.
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