MLS DC United Signs Volkswagen To Jersey Sponsorship Deal

Volkswagen has signed a jersey sponsorship deal with MLS DC United that will deliver $3.1-3.7M annually to the club, making it the second largest jersey deal in league history. The deal is expected to be announced within the week. The deal also makes Volkswagen the official automotive partner of MLS for an additional $1-2M annually. MLS declined to comment (Tripp Mickle, SportsBusiness Journal). In DC, Craig Stouffer reported a United player Tuesday was seen "inside RFK Stadium wearing a team jersey bearing a Volkswagen logo." A source said that United "had a potential shirt sponsorship deal with Verizon Wireless collapse last fall." Meanwhile, MLS has been without a major auto sponsor since Honda ended its relationship with the league last year (WASHINGTON EXAMINER, 4/30). The following presents the MLS teams which have signed jersey sponsorship deals to date (THE DAILY).

MLS JERSEY SPONSORSHIP DEALS
TEAM	SPONSOR	AMOUNT ANNUALLY
Galaxy	Herbalife	$4.0-5.0M
DC United	Volkswagen	$3.1-3.7M
Fire	Best Buy	$2.0-4.0M
Chivas USA	Comex Group	$2.0M+
Dynamo	Amigo Energy	$1.9M
Toronto FC	Bank of Montreal	$1.0-1.5M
Real Salt Lake	Xango	$1.0M
Crew	Glidden Paint	$1.0M