*The below release has been edited and forwarded on behalf of MLS. For a full version of the release, view here.
NEW YORK – Major League Soccer (MLS) and BODYARMOR Sports Drink today hosted an event at LAFC’s Banc of California Stadium to kick off their multi-year partnership with NBA legend and BODYARMOR investor Kobe Bryant, MLS Senior Vice President of Partnership Marketing Jen Cramer, BODYARMOR President Brent Hastie, and several MLS players including Lucas Zelarayan of Columbus Crew SC.
BODYARMOR announced exclusive team partnerships with 19 different MLS clubs: Austin FC (who begin MLS play in 2021), Chicago Fire FC, Colorado Rapids, Columbus Crew SC, D.C. United, FC Cincinnati, Houston Dynamo, Inter Miami FC, Los Angeles FC, Minnesota United FC, Nashville SC, New York Red Bulls, New York City FC, Orlando City SC, Philadelphia Union, Portland Timbers, San Jose Earthquakes, Seattle Sounders and Sporting Kansas City.
Kobe Bryant and the MLS players unveiled a customized, 4-foot-tall replica bottle that BODYARMOR created exclusively to commemorate the league’s 25th season and celebrate MLS’ rich history, while expanding on the foundation it has built over an extensive period of explosive growth.
MLS and BODYARMOR announced their new youth soccer initiative which commences during the league’s landmark 25th season.
Joining forces with MLS to support youth soccer programs across the United States and help develop the next generation of top soccer talent, BODYARMOR will work with MLS club youth programs to fully support coaches and team managers with sideline equipment and essential hydration needs.
BODYARMOR was announced in September 2019 as the “Official Sports Drink” of Major League Soccer in the U.S. starting in January 2020. It is the largest multi-year partnership in BODYARMOR history.
As part of the agreement, BODYARMOR will hydrate MLS players on sidelines at matches and practices, in locker rooms and in training facilities with its BODYARMOR Sports Drink. BODYARMOR’s logo and branding will be featured on coolers, cups, squirt bottles and towels on MLS sidelines within the territory starting in 2020. BODYARMOR and MLS will also collaborate on exclusive custom content and key media integrations featuring top MLS players and BODYARMOR athlete partners.
BODYARMOR’s partnerships with MLS come at a pivotal time for the brand, as BODYARMOR’s growth continues to accelerate and challenge the market leaders. Now the No. 2 sports drink sold in convenience stores nationwide, BODYARMOR has incredible momentum at retail nationwide and just recently eclipsed $700 million in retail sales in 2019.
PRESS EVENT SPEAKERS:
- Kobe Bryant - NBA Legend and #4 BODYARMOR Shareholder
- Jen Cramer - MLS Senior Vice President of Partnership Marketing
- Brent Hastie - BODYARMOR President
- Susannah Collins - MLS Studio Host/Commentator
MLS PLAYERS:
- CJ Sapong - Chicago Fire FC
- Lucas Zelarayan - Columbus Crew SC
- Ola Kamara - D.C. United
- Yuya Kubo - FC Cincinnati
- Matias Pellegrini - Inter Miami CF
- Nani - Orlando City SC
- Alejandro Bedoya - Philadelphia Union
- Nico Lodeiro - Seattle Sounders SC
