Nike Inc. said it has sold its majority ownership stake in the United Soccer Leagues to Atlanta-based NuRock Soccer Holdings LLC. In conjunction with the deal, Nike said it has reached a long-term
agreement with the USL in which its Umbro brand will be the league's
official sponsor and exclusive ball supplier.
Terms of the sale were not disclosed.
Nike acquired 98%of the Tampa, Fla.-based professional soccer league as part of its $582 million purchase of London-based Umbro last year.
USL includes around 127 professional soccer clubs as well as 550 youth league teams. But those franchises are independently owned, so NuRock ultimately acquires an administrative and marketing company with annual revenue of around $5 million, according to USL President Francisco Marcos.
NuRock operates an Atlanta franchise in USL's Premier Development League and holds the franchise rights to USL First Division teams in Atlanta and Birmingham, Ala.
“Our vision for USL is to become the most competitive and profitable
pyramid of soccer leagues in North America,” said Rob Hoskins, chairman
of NuRock.
