Bundesliga club Schalke "is planning to open permanent representations in the U.S. and China in '16," according Manfred Hendriock of WAZ. Schalke Marketing Dir Alexander Jobst said that the club will become the second German team after Bayern Munich to open a representation in the U.S. In comparison to Bayern, which opened an office in N.Y., Schalke will collaborate with an agency. Jobst said that the club used its winter training camp in Florida to host initial talks with potential agencies. The location of the U.S. representation, he said, has not yet been determined. He added that the club plans the same thing for China in '16. The goal is to increase Schalke's popularity in the U.S. and generate economic success in the long term. In order to do so, Jobst said, "you have to be present in the market." Schalke launched a U.S.-specific online store in September. Since its launch the store has generated close to a six-figure revenue. He said that the figure has already surpassed the revenue generated by U.S.-based customers of its regular online shop over the past three years. Schalke also said its U.S.-specific social media channels saw a 50% increase in the numbers of followers during its time in Florida (WAZ, 1/20).
