LA Galaxy -Shirt Sponsor
AEG and Herbalife Score in Los Angeles Galaxy Jersey Sponsorship Agreement
Press Release follows:
AEG, operators of Major League Soccer's Los Angeles Galaxy, and Herbalife Ltd. (NYSE:HLF), a global nutrition direct-selling company, today announced a five-year, multimillion dollar expansion of Herbalife's agreement with AEG making Herbalife the presenting sponsor of the Los Angeles Galaxy. The agreement gives Herbalife on-jersey exposure for its brand beginning with the upcoming 2007 season, which begins April 8.
"The national and international appeal of soccer and of the Los Angeles Galaxy club in particular, is a natural fit for our global philosophy of promoting a healthy, active lifestyle," said Herbalife CEO Michael O. Johnson. "We have had tremendous success partnering with many AEG-owned properties in our effort to build our brand image and allow our independent distributors increased access to new customers."
A cornerstone of the multi-year, multimillion dollar agreement is the ability for Herbalife to showcase its brand name on the front of the team jersey. For the first time in the history of team sports in the United States, a professional league will allow its franchises to sell "sponsorship rights" on a primary position of the players'
uniforms. A long-accepted practice for soccer and other teams internationally, the 2007 MLS season will mark the first time a U.S. league will permit this marketing platform for team sponsors.
"Without a doubt, this is a milestone event in American sports marketing," said Shawn Hunter, President, AEG Sports and Chief Marketing Officer, AEG. "With the tremendous amount of global exposure the Galaxy is expected to generate in the upcoming season, the time was clearly right for a professional league in the United States to create this branding platform."
"The high caliber of play as well as the acquisition of international players has truly raised the interest and visibility of MLS in the Untied States and worldwide," said Timothy J. Leiweke, President & CEO, AEG. "The league's exceptional national broadcast contracts with ABC, ESPN, HD Net and Univision, the number of new soccer-specific stadiums opened or being built and the remarkable success of the recent World Cup ratings in the United States indicates a new day for American soccer and the sport."
"Additionally, Herbalife's support of the Galaxy raises the bar for our club while being a tremendous boon for the sport," continued Leiweke. "We've had the opportunity to work with Herbalife since 2005 and no other company activates a sponsorship as well as they do. Herbalife sponsorship of AEG properties has grown over the past two years and their distributors have become a familiar sight at The Home Depot Center and our other events."
"Soccer brings people together, and bridges across nationalities and borders," said Greg Probert, Herbalife's president and chief operating officer. "We have 1.5 million independent distributors in 64
countries. With upcoming Galaxy matches scheduled for the United States, Mexico and Asia and the worldwide interest in soccer, we'll be supporting our distributors with branding in their own backyards and on a global scale."
Herbalife first became a sponsor of AEG-owned and operated events in 2005. The Herbalife name will appear in conjunction with the team name on all official team wear and replica jerseys and other select team merchandise. The agreement also makes Herbalife the official sponsor of all international and exhibition games; provides it with
increased media exposure, including television commercials and radio spots; exposure on the 110, 10, 405 and 91 freeways; and Web presence and sponsorship of Los Angeles Galaxy grass roots and community programs.
About Los Angeles Galaxy One of thirteen Major League Soccer (MLS) clubs, the Los Angeles
Galaxy were founded on June 15, 1994, and play all of the club's home games at The Home Depot Center on the campus of California State University at Dominguez Hills in Carson, Calif. The L.A. Galaxy are one of the premier teams in MLS, boasting five championships, including the MLS Cup (2002, 2005), U.S. Open Cup (2001, 2005) and
CONCACAF Champions' Cup (2000). For more information, visit the official website at www.lagalaxy.com.
