US Soccer and Bank of America forge landmark partnership

The United States Soccer Federation (US Soccer) has announced a significant long-term partnership with Bank of America, marking the financial institution as the first official banking partner of all 27 US national teams.

This includes the senior men’s and women’s teams, as well as the federation’s youth and extended squads.

In August, Bank of America partnered with FIFA to become a global sponsor of the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico.  In December, it expanded its collaboration with FIFA by sponsoring the revamped Club World Cup.

While no financial figures have been made public, the deal is reportedly worth AU$161 million.

The agreement also sees Bank of America join as a founding-level partner of US Soccer’s National Training Centre, which is set to open in Atlanta, Georgia, in 2026.

The founding level represents the top tier of partnerships for the facility, and Bank of America is only the second company to achieve this status.

With this deal, Bank of America becomes US Soccer’s 16th strategic partner and its ninth new sponsor since the organisation assumed control of its commercial rights at the start of 2023.

In recent months, US Soccer has secured other high-profile sponsorships, including agreements with global health company Haleon and chemical firm Henkel.

The federation’s sponsorship roster already features notable brands such as Volkswagen (presenting partner), Nike (kit supplier), Allstate, AT&T, Marriott Bonvoy, Anheuser-Busch, Coca-Cola, Visa, and Ticketmaster.

Domestically, Bank of America is already well known for its prominent sports sponsorships, including its naming rights partnership for the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.

As part of its agreement with US Soccer, Bank of America will also work on community and fan engagement initiatives, further embedding itself in the sport’s grassroots and supporter culture.

David Wright, US Soccer chief commercial officer spoke with enthusiasm about the big move.

“This landmark partnership marks one of the largest long-term investments in US Soccer history, and Bank of America’s global leadership will help catapult our sport,” Wright said in a press release.

“Bank of America shares our commitment to growing the game, investing in female leaders, and significantly bolstering our efforts in service to soccer on all fronts.”

David Tyrie, Bank of America’s chief digital officer and chief marketing officer shared the importance of their connection to football with this deal.

“Our investments in the US Soccer Federation and in soccer overall provide unique and ongoing opportunities to build client relationships, engage our teammates, and drive positive economic impact, locally and globally, as the most popular sport in the world takes centre stage over the next two years and beyond.” he said in a press release.

This partnership could prove transformative for the United States as a co-host of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, offering a significant opportunity to elevate the sport’s domestic profile.

Under the guidance of legendary coach Mauricio Pochettino, the national team is focused on rebuilding after disappointing performances, including a group stage exit in 2022 and failing to qualify for the tournament in 2018.

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IMG takes commercial lead on inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup

IMG has been appointed to lead the global commercialisation of the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup, giving the new Southeast Asian national-team competition an established international sports business partner ahead of its first edition.

Under the strategic partnership, IMG will manage worldwide media and sponsorship rights sales while also overseeing broadcast production for the tournament, which takes place from 24 September to 5 October across Indonesia and Hong Kong, China.

The inaugural competition will feature 14 national teams, including all 11 ASEAN members alongside guest nations, with matches split between two divisions. Division 2 fixtures will be played in Jakarta and Badung, while Division 2 matches will be played in Hong Kong.

The agency’s role will include selling sponsorship and media inventory internationally while helping establish the broadcast infrastructure required to present the tournament to audiences outside Southeast Asia.

The partnership builds on IMG’s existing strategic relationship with PT Garuda Sepak Bola Indonesia, which has been working with the Football Association of Indonesia since 2025 on areas including commercial strategy, media rights, production and digital development.

For FIFA, the tournament creates another international football property in a region with a large and increasingly connected football audience.

For IMG, it adds another major regional property to a football portfolio that already includes competitions and organisations across Europe, the Americas, Asia and Africa.

The immediate challenge will be turning the inaugural tournament into a sustainable commercial property capable of attracting broadcasters and sponsors beyond its first edition.

If successful, the FIFA ASEAN Cup could provide Southeast Asian national teams with a recurring commercial platform while giving IMG another foothold in one of football’s developing markets.

GIS Sydney continues to connect students with Australia’s sports industry

Following the launch of its Sydney campus in 2025, the Global Institute of Sport (GIS) is continuing to establish itself in the nation’s sports industry. A leading provider of degrees and executive education in sport, GIS provides students the chance to study at two of Australia’s biggest sporting venues: Allianz Stadium and the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).

Programs such as Sports Analytics and International Sports Business are delivered in collaboration with the University of Newcastle, and feature the chance for students to gain exclusive access to the sports industry.

More than 50 guest speakers have shared their experience with students studying at GIS Sydney, representing organisations like FIFA, Red Bull, Cricket Australia, and the AFL. While learning about the regional and national sports industry in the classroom, students have also had the chance to gain an international perspective through GIS’ signature Global Sports Summits, which have given Sydney students access to iconic sporting venues around the world from London to Miami.

Outside of the iconic venues students can call their classrooms, the organisation prioritises the real, industry placements needed to put theory into practice by providing each student with 140 hours of relevant work experience throughout their studies. Included in this are several sporting organisations who are keen to welcome GIS students on board, including the Professional Football Scouts Association (PFSA), Football Coaches Australia, and Basketball NSW.

GIS also has a partnership with popular network and app Yakka Sport to connect students with paid employment opportunities while they study.

Behind these advancements at the GIS Sydney campus is an Industry Advisory Board which features a host of experienced figures from the world of sport. Included in the Asia-Pacific branch is Chair James Rosengarten, GM of the Melbourne Renegades; Kevin Jang, Managing Director of CAA Stellar Korea; and Brad Lloyd, GM of the Carlton Football Club.

Since launching, GIS’ Sydney campus has ultimately combined its locations and industry connections to provide the next generation of sports professionals with the knowledge, network, and confidence to tackle the rapidly evolving sports industry.

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