Short sponsors to be permitted for MLS teams

Liam Watson

In an effort to limit potential losses due to the coronavirus pandemic, sponsors are now permitted to be seen on the shorts of Major League Soccer (MLS) teams.

In a report by the Washington Post, MLS franchises will be given the ability to expand on their sponsorships with the licence to now have partners on club shorts.

The league’s 26 teams will be given time to negotiate deals before the competition restart takes place with a five-week tournament at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida.

It’s reported that the MLS wants to gain advantage from being the first US men’s team sport to return with all 54 matches televised.

Previously, MLS teams were only allowed a main solitary shirt sponsor and an extra right sleeve sponsor. Only four teams secured sponsors for both of these, which was introduced this season. There could be the option to sell both, while the MLS is looking at allowing teams to feature sponsors on the left side too.

The existing MLS sleeve sponsorships are believed to bring in around US$500,000 to US$1 million a year.

According to the report, the additional branding opportunities are designed to allow franchises to get the most out of their current local sponsorship agreements that are currently being hampered by the pandemic, especially with matches being played behind closed doors.

Some sponsors have reportedly withheld payments to teams as MLS teams try to deal with the financial toll that is linked to the coronavirus pandemic.

In fact, MLS commissioner Don Garber revealed just how much Covid-19 has setback the league, with MLS losing around US$1 billion.

“[Short sponsors are] one of many ideas MLS has discussed,” the league said in a statement.

“But at this time, we do not have anything to announce.”

MLS is due to begin again on July 8th with the MLS is Back Tournament. All 26 teams are divided into six groups for the opening round, with 16 teams advancing to the knockout rounds. The overall winner earns a spot in the 2021 Concacaf Champions League.

Teams had only played two games of competition before it was postponed due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

Previous ArticleNext Article

Chelsea and Tottenham Arrive in Sydney as Premier League Giants Launch Australian Pre-Season Tour

Avatar
Image Credit: Chelsea FC

Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur have touched down in Sydney ahead of their pre-season tour of Australia for the Sydney Super Cup. Both clubs have wasted little time settling into life in Sydney, beginning preparations for a busy week of training sessions, fan events and pre-season fixtures.

The London rivals will each face A-League opposition before meeting meeting in the marquee fixture of the tour at Accor Stadium, bringing two of England’s biggest clubs to Australian shores as they build towards the 2026-27 Premier League season.

For Chelsea, the tour represents the first opportunity for supporters to see new manager Xabi Alonso lead the Blues. Meanwhile, Spurs fans will be eager to see improvements from Roberto De Zerbi’s men following their narrow escape from relegation last season.

Chelsea will open their tour against Western Sydney Wanderers on Tuesday 28 July, while Tottenham will face Sydney FC on Wednesday 29 July, before the clubs meet in the headline fixture of the tour on Saturday 1 August.

The clash will mark the first time the London rivals have faced each other outside the UK. The tour is another sign of Australia’s growing stature as a destination for elite European clubs during the northern hemisphere off-season

With Chelsea and Tottenham among the Premier League’s biggest global brands, the fixtures are expected to attract strong crowds and give Australian football fans a rare opportunity to watch top-flight English footballers in person.

The tour will also feature the Chelsea Women’s team, which will take on the A-League Women’s All Stars in a showcase fixture on Wednesday 12 August.

Football Australia Chairman Reflects on Socceroos World Cup Campaign, Points to Reform Agenda Ahead

Avatar
Image Credit: Football Australia

Football Australia Chairman Anter Isaac has released a statement reflecting on the Socceroos’ FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign, which ended in a penalty shootout loss to Egypt in the Round of 32 on 3 July.

Isaac thanked the players, coaching staff, medical and performance teams, and volunteers who supported the campaign, saying they represented the country with professionalism, humility and pride.

He said the tournament had brought Australians together across every state, culture and generation, calling it one of the few sporting moments capable of uniting the country.

Isaac linked the campaign to Football Australia’s broader governance work, pointing to the organisation’s recently announced reform agenda and the Enduring Principles adopted last year: Better Access to Football for All, More Football, Better Football, More People Enjoying Football, and Winning Football.

He said those principles, together with the organisation’s values of Welcome, Ready, Connect, Excel and Protect, formed the basis for every decision Football Australia makes.

“World Cups do not define our leadership,” Isaac said, adding that they instead reveal progress made long before a ball is kicked.

He said Football Australia’s responsibility extended beyond preparing for the next tournament to strengthening the institution that supports every tournament that follows.

Isaac said progress in a sporting ecosystem of Australian football’s scale depends less on any single body’s authority than on the willingness of clubs, federations, leagues and government to align around shared goals.

He said the organisation would study the lessons of the campaign carefully and continue refining its approach.

“Adaptability is not changing direction with every headline,” Isaac said. “It is improving the path while remaining true to the destination.”

Isaac framed his own role in terms of long-term stewardship, saying the game should be left in a stronger position for the generations that follow than it was for those who built it.

Most Popular Topics

Editor Picks

Send this to a friend