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).
