MLS Fire Nearing Jersey Sponsorship Agreement With Quaker Oats

The MLS Fire are "in the process of finalizing a contract with Quaker Oats" to be the club's new jersey sponsor, according to sources cited by Ed Sherman of CRAIN'S CHICAGO BUSINESS. The deal is expected to total $7.5-8M over three years, starting with the '12 season. A formal announcement is expected this week. The Fire played without a jersey sponsor during the '11 season after Best Buy "declined to renew its deal after serving three years as the team's jersey sponsor." Best Buy reportedly paid the Fire "about $2.5 million to have its logo plastered on the front of the team's jersey" (CHICAGOBUSINESS.com, 1/16). In Illinois, Orrin Schwarz writes the deal "will be a major coup" for Fire Owner Andrew Hauptman and President Julian Posada (Illinois DAILY HERALD, 1/17). Listed below are the MLS clubs that currently have jersey sponsor deals (THE DAILY).

CLUB	JERSEY SPONSOR
Chivas USA	Corona Extra
DC United	Volkswagen
Dynamo	Greenstar Recycling
Earthquakes	Amway
Galaxy	Herbalife
Impact	BMO
Real Salt Lake	XanGo
Red Bulls	Red Bull
Revolution	United Healthcare
Sounders FC	Xbox
Timbers	Alaska Airlines
Toronto FC	BMO
Union	Bimbo
Whitecaps	Bell Canada

NEW CONCESSIONS PROVIDER: Sodexo National Executive Serving Stadiums, Arenas & Convention Centers Martin Thorson has confirmed the Maryland-based concessions company has replaced Levy Restaurants as the team’s food provider at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Ill. Levy operated food service at at Toyota Park since the stadium opened in '06 (Don Muret, SportsBusiness Journal).