June 27 – The first deal coming out of the new Concacaf/FIFA commercial partnership has been struck with Canada-based bank BMO.
The bank becomes an Official Supporter of the Women’s World Cup 2023 as well as the Official Bank for both the just completed Concacaf Nations League and the Gold Cup that kicked-off last weekend.
The announcement came ahead of Canada’s opening game in the Gold Cup at the BMO Field in Toronto.
BMO has been a strong supporter of both the men’s and women’s game in North America.
Commenting on the commitment BMO has made to be the ‘Bank of Soccer’ and growing the game across North America, Catherine Roche, Chief Marketing Officer at BMO, said: “As one of the world’s largest sporting events, the World Cup is the perfect platform to help create equal opportunities in sport and inspire a new generation of women players, leaders, and coaches to reach their full potential – on and off the field. Through this partnership we continue to live our Purpose, to Boldly Grow the Good.”
BMO holds the naming rights for the Angel City (NWSL) and LAFC (MLS) stadium in Los Angleles. As part of its Angel City sponsorship, 10% of the money goes into the community through a sponsorship of Girls Play Los Angeles (GPLA), where BMO is supporting over 400 high school-aged girls and non-binary youths with no-cost access to soccer.
In the men’s game BMO has partnerships with MLS teams CF Montréal and Vancouver Whitecaps FC, and with CF Montréal funded a women’s programme within the CF Montréal Academy. The bank says it has invested $25 million in youth soccer in Canada since 2005.
While the presentation and introductions to BMO were pitched jointly as part of the new Concacaf/FIFA sales programme, the actual negotiation over value are handled separately. No value has been given for either the Concacaf or FIFA deal.
“We are extremely pleased to welcome BMO as an official partner of Concacaf for our men’s national team competitions, including the recent Concacaf Nations League Finals and our 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup which is currently underway. BMO has an excellent track record of investing in our sport, and we believe the significant regional and international platform provided by our tournaments will make this a partnership that is truly of mutual benefit,” said Concacaf Chief Commercial Officer, Heidi Pellerano.
Focussing on the Women’s World Cup that kicks off next month, days after the Gold Cup concludes in Los Angeles, FIFA’s chief business officer, Romy Gai said, ” BMO’s commitment to women’s sports aligns perfectly with FIFA’s vision of promoting empowering female athletes and making this tournament one of the greatest women’s sports events in history.”
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1713946193labto1713946193ofdlr1713946193owedi1713946193sni@n1713946193osloh1713946193cin.l1713946193uap1713946193