Coca-Cola, McDonalds Sign on as Sponsors
April 12, 2002 - Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA) News Release
ATLANTA (Friday, April 12, 2002) - The Women's United Soccer Association has secured The Coca-Cola Company and the McDonald's Corporation as official sponsors of the Division I women's professional soccer league, WUSA President and CEO Lynn Morgan announced today. Under the terms of the agreement, Coca-Cola immediately becomes the official soft drink of the WUSA and McDonald's becomes the league's official food service retailer.
WUSA players, whose on-field celebrations capture the passion and flair of the sport of soccer, will be feature in a co-branded Coca-Cola and McDonald's "Winning Moment" on all nationally broadcasted games on PAX TV, beginning this Saturday, April 13, when the defending WUSA Champion San Jose CyberRays host the Boston Breakers at 4:00 p.m. ET. The "Winning Moment" will be featured on all 21 WUSA games on PAX.
"The WUSA is delighted to welcome two of the strongest brand names in the world to the league's commercial family," said Morgan. "We look forward to working with Coca-Cola and McDonald's in the development of mutually beneficial marketing programs."
The two industry leaders also will sponsor the Coca-Cola and McDonald's Ball Kids program, where youngsters assist on-field team personnel at every WUSA match. The world-famous McDonald's golden arches logo will appear on the jersey of the WUSA's San Diego Spirit. McDonald's will provide promotional support of the WUSA through tray liners, bags and cups at all McDonald's stores in each WUSA market. Coca-Cola will provide promotional support of the WUSA through spots in various movie theaters in each WUSA market.
"The Coca-Cola Company has supported soccer around the world for more than 70 years -- from grassroots programs to the highest levels of competition -- and is pleased to build on that tradition with our sponsorship of WUSA, home of many of the world's greatest women's soccer players." said Chuck Fruit, senior vice president, Worldwide Media and Alliances, The Coca-Cola Company.
"We're proud of our partnership with WUSA, it's athletes and the largest participatory sport in the country," said John Lewicki, Director, McDonald's Sports Marketing, "We look forward to bringing the excitement of women's professional soccer to millions of McDonald's customers in WUSA markets and beyond."
As an official sponsor of the WUSA, Coca-Cola and McDonalds will be entitled to the various marketing and promotional rights designated to WUSA league partners, including use of WUSA and team marks, spots on PAX TV national television broadcasts, field board advertising, tickets and player appearances and additional broadcast elements on the league's PAX TV schedule. In addition, McDonald's will receive spots on regionally televised WUSA games.
"To forge a relationship with two legendary companies like Coke and McDonald's is reflective of the impact this league can have on the consumer," said Julie Foudy, San Diego Spirit midfielder and player representative on the WUSA Board of Governors. "Our main demographic is a perfect tie-in for Coke and McDonalds and we are tremendously excited to begin this partnership. They are the world leaders in their fields, as we are in ours, and together we can make a lot of young kids smile."
About McDonald's
McDonald's is the world's leading foodservice retailer, with more than 29,000 restaurants serving more than 45 million people each day in 121 countries. Approximately 80 percent of McDonald's worldwide restaurants of McDonald's worldwide restaurants are owned and operated by independent businessmen and women.
About The Coca-Cola Company
The Coca-Cola Company is the world's largest beverage company and is the leading producer and marketer of soft drinks. The Company markets four of the world's top five soft drink brands, including Coca-Cola, diet Coke, Fanta and Sprite. Through the world's largest distribution system, consumers in nearly 200 countries enjoy The Coca-Cola Company's products at a rate of more than 1 billion servings each day.
About the WUSA
Featuring the best women's soccer players in the world, WUSA athletes include Mia Hamm, Brandi Chastain, Tiffeny Milbrett, Briana Scurry, Julie Foudy and dozens of international stars. The eight WUSA teams are the Atlanta Beat, Boston Breakers, Carolina Courage, New York Power, Philadelphia Charge, San Diego Spirit, San Jose CyberRays and the Washington Freedom. The 2002 season kicks off April 13 with four games in action, including Boston at San Jose in a nationally televised match on PAX at 4:00 p.m. ET.
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Women's United Soccer Association Stories from April 12, 2002
- Coca-Cola, McDonalds Sign on as Sponsors - WUSA
- Courage Regional TV Coverage Begins Saturday - Carolina Courage
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