MLS Real Salt Lake

Strong Automotive Named Title Sponsor of Rio Tinto Stadium's Exclusive "One Hundred Lions Club"

Published on March 30, 2010 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Real Salt Lake News Release


SANDY, Utah (Tuesday, March 30, 2010) - Rio Tinto Stadium, home of the Defending MLS Cup Champion Real Salt Lake, has agreed with Utah-based Strong Automotive Group to re-name the venue's exclusive "One Hundred Lions Club" and integrate the partner's branding and products in all Rio Tinto Stadium, Real Salt Lake and ESPN-KALL 700 Sports properties.

"We are extremely pleased that the Strong Automotive Group has increased the level of integration in their long-standing relationship with Rio Tinto Stadium and Real Salt Lake," said Utah Soccer LLC group President Bill Manning, who oversees the stadium, team and radio operations. "The enthusiasm among the 100 Lions - a group of key influencers in our business and entrepreneurial space - since the Stadium's inception and their collective support for each other in our community is demonstrative of the escalating excitement for not only our team, the reigning MLS Cup Champions, but for what this venue means to our region."

Strong Automotive group, which includes Strong Volkswagen, Strong Audi and Strong Porsche, and their trio of respective dealership locations in Salt Lake City, will see all three brands integrated into the new-look Strong One Hundred Lions Club. Founded concurrently with the opening of Rio Tinto Stadium, the One Hundred Lions club has quickly become a tight-knit, well-networked group of Real Salt Lake supporters and sports and community leaders, many of whom traveled to watch the team win its first championship last fall.

"As a local business family, we at the Strong Automotive Group are excited about the opportunity to partner with a first-class organization like Real Salt Lake and sponsor the Strong One Hundred Lions Club," said brothers Brad and Blake Strong, founders of the eponymous group. "We are big fans of how Major League Soccer and all of the events at Rio Tinto Stadium help to build our community."

Both Brad and Blake Strong were "Lions" in 2009 and quickly saw the benefit of the partnership. In addition to serving as the title partner of the Strong One Hundred Lions Club, Strong Automotive Group will add valet parking as an amenity available at all Rio Tinto Stadium marquee events, including all Real Salt Lake games. All Strong One Hundred Lions Club members are eligible for the valet service, located at the Lions' entrance on the West side of Rio Tinto Stadium. Permanent signage inside the stadium bowl, as well as within the Strong 100 Lions Club, integrates the Strong Automotive Group's brands into the fabric of the event experience. Real Salt Lake players, coaches and their families mingle and enjoy post-game meals together in the Club, while Strong Automotive Group will also receive year-round advertising on Utah Soccer LLC's 24-hour sports radio station, KALL 700 Sports, Utah's ESPN Radio affiliate.

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