Acquiring a recognizable name like Wayne Rooney could help DC United land more money from a sponsorgetty images
DC United is "in talks with at least six brands" -- including Amazon and United Airlines -- to replace Virginia-based contractor Leidos as the "club's next kit sponsor" when the current deal ends after this season, according to Pablo Maurer of THE ATHLETIC. The club has "been in contact with some of the world's largest corporations" about the sponsorship, including Qatar Airways, financial services firm Edward Jones, and "local utility conglomerate WGL energy services." Consulting firm Guidehouse and Deloitte have "also been in the mix," along with ESPN+. Leidos also is "back in the fray, prodded back into the conversation" by the club's "expanding local and international presence." Leidos has sponsored DC United's jerseys the past five years, but following the move to Audi Field and the acquisition of an "internationally recognizable name" in F Wayne Rooney, the club "may be able to get significantly more money from a jersey sponsor." A source said that DC United is "looking to put a price tag" of $5M on the '19 jersey deal. That would give the club a "more lucrative deal than any other in MLS save the L.A. Galaxy" and their partnership with Herbalife. Meanwhile, another source said that MLS beginning in '19 will "begin to allow teams to sell advertising space on the sleeves of their jerseys," similar to what the EPL began in the '17-18 season. A source said that the club values that space between $500,000-1M annually (THEATHLETIC.com, 10/18).
BREAD WINNER: Union Chief Business Officer Tim McDermott said the club is "in discussions" with Bimbo Bakeries on whether they will renew their kit sponsorship after the current deal expires after this season. McDermott said, "The new rules in MLS allow you to basically put a brand on a home jersey and a different brand within the same parent company on the away jersey. Those allow us some flexibility, and it's something that might be interesting for Bimbo" (PHILLY.com, 10/18).
