Yeti has signed on to become the Official Jersey Partner and newest Founding Partner of Austin FC, the Major League Soccer (MLS) club. The deal marks Yeti’s formal entry into both professional soccer and eSports.
Austin FC joined MLS as the 27th club in January 2019 and is the city of Austin’s first major league team. Austin FC will officially begin play in 2021 in a new, state-of-the-art soccer stadium and public park at McKalla Place, Austin.
As the club’s Official Jersey Partner, Yeti will feature prominently within the fabric of Austin FC’s visual identity when the club begins MLS competition in Spring 2021. Austin FC will release two jerseys with Yeti integration ahead of the club’s inaugural 2021 season, including the first jersey design which is slated for release during the 2020 Holiday season and a second jersey design presently targeted for release in early 2021.
All authentic and replica Austin FC jerseys, including men’s, women’s, and youth sizes sold online and at retail locations, will display the Yeti brand at the center of the chest, including all jerseys worn by Austin FC’s First Team and Academy players during official competitions.
In addition, Yeti will be incorporated within digital eSports arena jerseys and future iterations of EA Sports FIFA gaming products that feature Austin FC teams and players. Yeti will launch a series of outdoor lifestyle products featuring the Austin FC badge at retail locations in 2020, and Yeti products will also be integrated throughout Austin FC’s 20,500+ seat stadium (presently under construction at 10414 McKalla Place in Austin, TX and on-schedule to open in Spring 2021).
The agreement will also feature Yeti as a presenting sponsor of Austin FC’s sustainability efforts. The partnership offers a platform for both Austin brands to launch green initiatives that include the development of comprehensive recycling, compost and water refill policies and practices at Austin FC’s stadium. In addition, Yeti and Austin FC will have the opportunity to partner in leaguewide programming such as MLS Greener Goals week and the limited-edition, eco-friendly jersey product designed for Earth Week.
“Yeti has established itself as an Austin icon,” said Andy Loughnane, president of Austin FC. “Yeti is an internationally acclaimed brand with passionate supporters who lead active lifestyles and embody the creative energy often found in our sport and widely found in Austin, and Austin FC is elated to begin our journey in MLS alongside an Austin legend.”
“We’re incredibly grateful for the support that Austin has provided to Yeti since our founding, and we’re thrilled to return the favor to our community by partnering with Austin FC as they make their Major League Soccer debut,” said Matt Reintjes, president and CEO at Yeti.
In addition to being named Official Jersey Partner of Austin FC and a Founding Partner of Austin FC Stadium, Yeti will receive designation as Official and Exclusive Outdoor Partner of Austin FC, Official and Exclusive Drinkware Partner of Austin FC, and Official and Exclusive Cooler Partner of Austin FC.
Photo courtesy Yeti
