MLS expansion club Sacramento Republic FC has hired Elevate Sports Ventures for commercial and sales purposes, both parties confirmed. Republic FC President & COO Ben Gumpert said that Elevate will help sell naming rights for a new 21,000-seat soccer-specific stadium, in addition to jersey sleeve sponsorship, all founding partners, premium offerings and memberships, and all event sales. “We are already beginning to hold conversations with several interested parties on naming rights and founding partner level opportunities,” Gumpert said. Republic FC, which currently plays in the USL Championship division, will bring current jersey sponsor UC Davis Health with them when they join MLS in '22. Gumpert explained that 49ers CEO Jed York previously joined the Republic FC investment group in '15 and has since supported the club’s push to MLS. York sits on the Elevate BOD, so the two groups have some history together. Additionally, 49ers President Al Guido also serves as Chair & CEO of Elevate, and he and his leadership team advised once negotiations progressed with MLS for the expansion bid. Gumpert said that as the club prepares for official MLS play in two years, it can now “formalize a partnership with a group that understands the club, our community, and shares in our broad vision for what Republic FC stands for.” Elevate counts more than 20 clients to date, including NHL Seattle, the XFL, Purdue Univ. and France's Ligue 1.
