The United States Youth Soccer Association (US Youth Soccer) and adidas formally announced an extension of its marketing partnership that initially began in 1989. In this extension that will run through 2010, with option years that could extend the relationship through 2014, adidas remains the Official Sponsor and Supplier of US Youth Soccer.


 


Under the agreement, adidas supplies US Youth Soccer with athletic apparel and footwear for all programs within the organization, including the US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program (US Youth Soccer ODP), US Youth Soccer National Championship Series and US Youth Soccer National League.


 


“The significance of our partnership with US Youth Soccer can not be stressed enough,” stated Chris McGuire, Sports Marking Manager/adidas Soccer, adidas America. “There are many obvious benefits that a collaboration with the nations largest youth sports organization brings to adidas. In addition to these benefits, this relationship is more of a strategic alliance where, collectively, we are ensuring there are opportunities for all players to enjoy the game. US Youth Soccer has long stood as the proving ground of the nation's top players and where over 85 percent of youth players begin their love with soccer.”


 


The main focus of adidas' partnership with US Youth Soccer is to provide programs and platforms to help develop the children through the sport of soccer. Additional significant elements include joint marketing programs which will be launched throughout the term of the relationship.


 


“We value our long-standing partnership with adidas. From product placement to branding, signage and programming, it is a model example of a fully integrated sponsorship. Since 1989, US Youth Soccer's and adidas' brands have by now become synonymous,” said Jim Cosgrove, US Youth Soccer Executive Director. “The extension of our partnership will help us to continue improving out marketing, membership and organizational development.”


 


adidas is the global soccer leader with strategic alignments with some of the most successful clubs and players in the world including Major League Soccer, AC Milan, Chelsea FC, Liverpool FC, Real Madrid, Kaka, David Beckham, Lionel Messi and Kristine Lilly.


 


US Youth Soccer -The Game for ALL Kids!(R: 56.40, -0.62, -1.08%) is the largest youth sports organization in the country and largest member of the United States Soccer Federation, the governing body of soccer in the United States. US Youth Soccer registers more than 3.2 million players annually, ages 5 to 19, and over 900,000 administrators, coaches and volunteers in 55 member state associations. US Youth Soccer programs provide a fun, safe and healthy environment for players at every level of the game. 


 


Adidas's soccer endorsers include David Beckham, Kristine Lilly, Steven Gerrard, Kaka, Lionel Messi, and Josmer Altidore.