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Scorpions FC, San Antonio's New Pro Soccer Team, Signs Major National, Local Sponsorships

January 26, 2011 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
San Antonio Scorpions News Release


SAN ANTONIO - The Scorpions FC San ntonio's new professional soccer team, announced today Nike Inc., has signed on as a sponsor and also introduced Harvey's Heroes an organization funded by local businessman and philanthropist Harvey Najim that will enable 500 special-needs or underprivileged children to attend every Scorpions home game.

"Nike proudly sponsors our U. S. national team, and our support of the Scorpions further demonstrates our commitment to the growth of soccer and our professional teams in the U. S. " said Joe Elsmore Nike's director of North merica sports marketing. "We're proud to play a part in Soccer for a Cause, a wonderful charitable effort that combines soccer and special-needs individuals who need it most."

Najim, chairman and CEO of Sirius Computer Solutions, called it a privilege to have already provided financial support to build Morgan's Wonderland the world's first ultra-accessible family fun park designed with special-needs children and adults of all ages in mind. "Now my family foundation has another chance to help the special-needs community and Morgan's Wonderland through Harvey's Heroes. The heroic kids who deal daily with physical or cognitive challenges inspire us, and now the opportunity to see the Scorpions in action will inspire them."

Specific terms of the sponsorship agreements were not disclosed at an afternoon news conference however philanthropist Gordon Hartman who's leading Soccer for a Cause, said strong backing from Nike and the Harvey Najim Family Foundation "reflects an understanding of and faith in the business plan we've developed to compete at a very high level in the North merican Soccer League (NASL), which is just one step below Major League Soccer (MLS)."

Hartman said his professional soccer plan has generated positive, community-wide feedback from soccer fans Morgan's Wonderland supporters San ntonio Mayor Julian Castro other elected officials and business and civic leaders including former Mayor Henry Cisneros.

"Through Soccer for a Cause, we have a golden opportunity to bring another exciting professional sport to San ntonio and do a lot of good for our community in the process " Cisneros said. "The popularity of soccer has grown tremendously in our city and there's been a lot of talk about fielding a professional soccer team. I'm delighted Gordon Hartman and company have gone far beyond the talking stage they're taking action and helping a great cause."

Cisneros lauded the concept of Soccer for a Cause, possibly the only time in pro sports history a team has been organized to commit every cent of net revenue to the special-needs community via a non-profit entity such as Morgan's Wonderland. "I think it's noteworthy that in its first season last year Morgan's Wonderland welcomed 100 000 guests from 47 states and 13 other countries " he said. "This suggests individuals with special needs have been underserved."

The former mayor and head of the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services also commended a 150-page Soccer for a Cause business plan that delineates how the Scorpions NASL franchise will be successful. "Gordon Hartman is a very knowledgeable businessman " Cisneros said "but he's also recruited former executives of successful MLS clubs to develop a solid plan."

Hartman urged soccer fans and citizens interested in Soccer for a Cause to contact their local elected officials and express strong support for providing the funding necessary to build a playing facility at the South Texas Area Regional (STAR) Soccer Complex next to Morgan's Wonderland in Northeast San Antonio. The proposed 5,400-seat facility will meet professional-soccer standards and will be expandable to 18,000 seats for a move up to Major League Soccer (MLS) if fan support warrants it.

Clicking on a link at www.SoccerforaCause.com is the quickest and easiest way to contact the appropriate elected officials and register support for the Scorpions' playing facility Hartman noted.

"Construction must begin this spring to keep up with a tight timeline leading to NASL play in March 2012 " he said. " nother N SL team in Canada is advancing to MLS in 2012, so this has made it possible for us to take the slot occupied by the Canadian team and field our own NASL team in 2012.

"STAR Soccer cost $10 million, and approximately half of the funding came from private sources. We intend to build on the infrastructure already in place to create an up-to-date-yet- affordable playing facility for the Scorpions that can also host high school and collegiate tournaments as well as performances and other special events. To accomplish all this we're seeking approximately $8 million in public funding for a venue that will serve our community in many ways, not just pro soccer. Just like Morgan's Wonderland, these capital improvements will become the property of the City of San ntonio and we will operate the Scorpions' stadium ST R Soccer and Morgan's Wonderland under lease agreements with the City."

Hartman said 1,005 season seat packages already have been reserved for the Scorpions' 2012 inaugural season. A $25 deposit will reserve a season seat and place the fan on a priority list, giving him or her the right to select a specific seat location at a "Select Your Seat" event. To reserve their season seat plans, fans can visit www.SoccerforaCause.com , call toll-free (855) 333-2012 or stop by STAR Soccer at Thousand Oaks and Wurzbach Parkway between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays. Scorpions fans also can follow the building of their team at http://www.facebook.com/NASLSanAntonio or http://www.twitter.com/NASL_SA.



North American Soccer League Stories from January 26, 2011


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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