EPL club Manchester City has signed a multiyear partnership deal with camera company iON to become the club's official global sports action camera partner. The deal, which was formally announced last night, will see iON cameras being used for training, coaching and scouting. In addition, iON cameras also will be used to enhance the matchday experience of supporters through the installation of iON fan booths in BT City Square, the club’s purpose-built fan entertainment zone outside of Etihad Stadium. The Man City deal is iON's first with an EPL club (HJ Mai, SBD Global).
GOV'T SURPLUS: In DC, Steven Goff noted DC United yesterday formally announced that Virginia-based government contractor Leidos "will serve as the MLS club’s primary sponsor, a deal that includes the company’s logo on the jersey." Leidos said that the pact will "run three to five years." Sources added that the deal is "financially comparable" to DC United’s contract with Volkswagen, which expired in December. VW paid DC United $2.8M for the "first five years of the agreement and an undisclosed lower amount last season" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 2/24).
THE PRICE IS RIGHT: In K.C., James Dornbrook notes Sporting KC's recent sponsorship deal with supermarket chain Price Chopper continues a "fairly unique" trend in pro sports in that all of the club's "major sponsors are locally based companies." Price Chopper signed a three-year deal to be the "title partner for Sporting Club Network, which handles all the team’s youth sports club affiliations." It joins Ivy Funds (shirt sponsor), Sprint, UMB Financial and Boulevard Brewing as major sponsors of the club. Sporting KC Chief Revenue Officer Jake Reid: "What sets us apart for sports teams in general around the country is how it’s very rare to have any of your owners living locally, let alone five owners living here in our area with businesses here and family here" (K.C. BUSINESS JOURNAL, 2/21 issue).
