The Timbers have signed a multiyear deal with Portland-based bank Simple "that will put the company's mark on the team's practice and pregame warmup tops, the first agreement of its kind in MLS," according to Ian Thomas of SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL. The Timbers in October re-upped their jersey sponsorship with Alaska Airlines, and team President of Business Operations Mike Golub said that the idea "to bring on Simple as a practice and pregame sponsor came out of those renewal discussions" with the airline. Thomas notes in addition to "training and warmup gear, Simple will have branding on ATMs in Providence Park." The bank will sponsor a "community service week as well as a preseason tournament" hosted by the Timbers (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 12/15 issue). The bank indicated that the Timbers sponsorship "will be the first of several deals designed to raise the five-year-old company's profile." Simple Senior Marketing & Strategy Manager Jen Wagner: "We're becoming a company. We're not a startup anymore." In Portland, Mike Rogoway notes Simple provides "online banking services customized for mobile devices." It has an "interface designed for young, mobile clients," and the bank "sees a lot of overlap between its potential audience and young soccer fans" in the region (Portland OREGONIAN, 12/16).
