Sporting KC as part of a five-year deal with Kansas-based Mazuma Credit Union will "create the Mazuma Mezzanine, a hexagonal area that will look like a soccer ball and allow fans to sit down and watch the game while they get a drink or a snack," according to James Dornbrook of the K.C. BUSINESS JOURNAL. Mazuma is "also running Sporting KC's affinity card program, a credit card with a rewards program that offers Sporting KC fans everything from team store gift certificates to an all-expenses-paid road trip with the team." Mazuma President & CEO Brandon Michaels said, "It's not common for credit unions to sponsor major league sports teams. ... We wanted to do something totally different than everyone else. We didn't just want a sign on the field level terrace." Michaels said that he was "attracted to a partnership with Sporting KC because it's one of the hottest brands in the metropolitan area." Michaels: "Partnering with an organization like Sporting KC really says we're here to stay and we're larger than the average credit union" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 4/1).
SPORT SCIENCE: In K.C., Steve Rosen noted Sporting KC and Kansas-based engineering and construction firm Black & Veatch are "collaborating to launch a program this summer aimed at building interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics among middle school students" in the city. The growSTEM program will "include summer camps" featuring appearances by Sporting KC players and Black & Veatch engineers. The program is named for its four curriculum areas. The partnership "builds on other Black & Veatch STEM programs, including one with the Museum at Prairiefire" in Overland Park, Kan. Black & Veatch Charitable Programs Senior Manager Becky Schieber said that the program "hopes to attract 60 students this year." Activities will include "learning about the engineering elements that went into the design of Sporting Park" (K.C. STAR, 4/2).
