Portland Family Entertainment (PFE), in announcing that
its United Soccer League's (USL) A-League franchise, set to
begin play next season, will be called the Timbers, said
that it has reached a footwear and apparel sponsorship deal
with England-based Umbro, according to Andy Giegerich of the
BUSINESS JOURNAL OF PORTLAND. Umbro, in "beating out"
adidas and Nike for the Timbers deal, "played on its
connections" to the USL, as it "owns a majority" of the A-
League. Nike Soccer Sports Marketing Manager Greg Smith
said his company talked "extensively" with PFE, but that
Umbro's "relationship with the league probably made the
negotiating difference." Umbro N.A. Regional Manager Jim
Kilmeade said that the company "can't compete with" adidas
and Nike on a global scale but added, "We can on a market-
to-market basis because we're only a soccer company." Under
the deal, Umbro will supply jerseys, shoes and equipment to
the team, as well as uniforms for all Civic Stadium game
staff. Umbro will also support the Timbers soccer academy
and area clinics (BUSINESS JOURNAL OF PORTLAND, 7/21).
