Rudolf Vidal: "FC Bayern is 100% committed to returning to the U.S. for first-team, women’s, youth and legends tours when possible."BAYERN MUNICH
RUDOLF VIDAL is Bayern Munich's President of the Americas. The club, which opened an office in N.Y. in '14, announced this week that it will participate in the Int'l Champions Cup this summer. Bayern previously traveled to the U.S. during the preseason in '14 and '16. Bayern, which in February signed a talent development deal with MLS club FC Dallas, has not yet announced which U.S. cities it will visit. The ICC is expected to announce the dates and venues of the '18 slate of games on Tuesday. Vidal spoke to SBD Global about what the team hopes to accomplish from a business perspective during this year's ICC, how coming to the U.S. during the same summer as a World Cup will affect logistics and whether fans in the States can expect to see the Bundesliga club continue to head Stateside every other year.
On returning to the U.S. in '18 ...
Rudolf Vidal: FC Bayern opened its first international office in the U.S., showing its commitment to the market and ambition to help grow the sport on and off the field. This will be the team’s third visit to the U.S. since the office opened almost four years ago, highlighting our intention to keep returning to the Americas when possible. It is also important to note that we know we have fans in all 50 states and we believe that preseason tours are a great way to give them the opportunity to see the team they love on home soil.
On whether the club will continue to come to North America every other year ...
Vidal: FC Bayern is 100% committed to returning to the U.S. for first-team, women’s, youth and legends tours when possible. While there is no set pattern to say we will return every other year, the fact that we have an office in the U.S. allows us to activate and engage fans all year round, with the club tours being the pinnacles.
On the types of marketing activations Bayern is looking to carry out this summer ...
Vidal: Throughout the last four years, and for years to come, we have been learning constantly about the U.S. sports and entertainment culture. We believe in building relationships and partnerships to help deliver the best fan experiences to our FC Bayern family. The fact that the club has an office in the U.S. means that once the cities are announced we will be working within those markets all the way up to the tour and beyond, engaging our fans and forming mutually beneficial partnerships.
On having an int'l preseason tour the same summer as a World Cup ...
Vidal: FC Bayern boasts one of Europe’s most star-studded rosters and while some players will be on national team duty, we will still present a strong team this summer, giving our fans a fantastic FC Bayern Munich experience. The ICC has also taken the World Cup into account and have set the tournament a little later this year, giving some players the opportunity to take part in ICC fixtures after their compulsory rest period.
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