Microsoft, MLS Sounders FC Reach Jersey Sponsorship Deal

Microsoft and the expansion MLS Sounders FC today plan to announce a five-year jersey sponsorship deal worth a total of about $20M, according to sources cited by Matthew Futterman of the WALL STREET JOURNAL. The phrase "Xbox 360 Live" will appear on the jerseys when the club begins play next March. The deal is "perhaps the biggest milestone" for the Sounders, who were created last November. Microsoft has "done little within the sports marketing arena previously other than a minor pro volleyball sponsorship and a few small ventures in foreign countries." Microsoft Entertainment & Devices Division President Robbie Bach: "Getting in on the ground floor with a new franchise and a relatively new league is a great opportunity for us." Futterman notes the Sounders will be the 10th MLS team to "have a corporate name emblazoned on it." The team already has "received deposits for 16,000 season tickets" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 5/28). Microsoft co-Founder Paul Allen is an investor in the Sounders (THE DAILY).

MLS JERSEY SPONSORSHIP DEALS
TEAM	SPONSOR	AMOUNT ANNUALLY
Galaxy	Herbalife	$4.0-5.0M
Sounders FC	Microsoft	$4.0M
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