Marka Sports Joins USL Preferred Supplier Program

The United Soccer Leagues, LLC, today announced it has named Marka Sports as the organization’s Official In-Stadium Signage Supplier. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Marka Sports will be an official supplier for all related properties, including the United Soccer League – one of the most prominent Division II professional leagues in the world – USL’s Division III, the Premier Development League (PDL) and the Super Y League.
 
A leader in stadium signage across North America, Marka Sports’ signage has featured in FIFA World Cup Qualifying, the CONCACAF Champions League and Liga MX, in addition to numerous other events and properties. Marka has also been crucial to the success of amateur and youth properties such as Sector Amateur, the Mexican Football Federation and largest youth development program in that country.  The Mexican-based company provided the signage used at the 2017 USL Cup at Slugger Field in Louisville last month, and was one of the major companies to have a presence at the recently concluded USL Winter Summit in Tampa, Fla.
 
“We are delighted to bring aboard a company as well-renowned as Marka Sports to be our Official In-Stadium Signage Supplier,” said USL President Jake Edwards. “Our partnership with Marka Sports will help our clubs activate sponsorships at the highest level while creating new assets and revenue streams. Marka brings a wealth of experience working in soccer, having a client list that includes FIFA, CONCACAF, the Mexican Federation, and now the USL. We couldn’t have been happier with Marka Sports’ work at the 2017 USL Cup in Louisville, and are looking forward to a long and fruitful partnership between our organizations.”
 
“Striking this partnership is a stepping stone for Marka Sports to put the foot in the door in the US market,” said Benjamin Tovar, President and owner of Marka Sports. “USL is one of the fastest-growing sports properties in the world and its history, growth, and commitment to soccer in the region is just evidence of that fact.  We are extremely excited of having the chance to be part of the USL family, including PDL, Super Y League, and the upcoming DIII.” 
 
“Through our experience and proven company success, it is our obligation to support USL and its teams to achieve revenue goals through high quality branding and exposure standards,” added Miguel Pazcabrales, Marka Sports Director of Business Development.

Over the next five years, the USL will oversee the expansion of an estimated 30–40 new franchises at the second and third divisions of professional soccer, creating numerous opportunities for potential suppliers and vendors to support this growth.
 
Through its Preferred Supplier Program, the USL will connect suppliers with both new franchise owners and existing USL clubs looking to deliver the best possible experience for fans. Preferred suppliers must meet the USL’s strict quality standards. These are “Best in Class” companies that provide services and products to professional franchises and stadium developers. The USL is currently in discussions with suppliers that support stadium development, as well as the buildout of team front offices and operations.
 
For more information on the USL Preferred Supplier Program, contact Josh Keller at Josh.Keller@uslsoccer.com.
 
About Marka: Marka Sports & Entertainment Group is a Mexican-based company with over 20 years of specialized experience in the production and installation of field boards and brand presence. As a leading company in the industry, Marka has established a strong presence in North America, Central America and the Caribbean, performing successful operations in some of the most important soccer tournaments in the CONCACAF region.

About USL: The USL is one of the most prominent Division II professional soccer leagues in the world, with 30 markets in 20 U.S. states and two Canadian provinces for the 2017 season. In total, the USL reaches a population of 75 million people, fueling the growth of professional soccer across North America.

In 2016, more than $100 million were invested league-wide into stadium infrastructure to create venues that deliver an unforgettable fan and competitor experience. The USL has national media partnerships with ESPN and SiriusXM, and recently invested $10 million to create USL Productions – which includes a state-of-the-art facility that will produce and distribute nearly 500 league matches and more than 1,000 hours of original content to national partners, local affiliates, USL’s Match Center and international markets.
 
A growing league, the USL has more than doubled in size since 2014, with Ottawa Fury FC, Reno 1868 FC and the Tampa Bay Rowdies debuting in 2017. Fresno FC, Las Vegas Lights FC, Nashville SC, North Carolina FC and a team owned and operated by Atlanta United of Major League Soccer are set to join the league for 2018, with Birmingham, Alabama, and Austin, Texas, set to join the league in 2019. Beyond league play, the USL regularly features international exhibitions against leading Premier League, Liga MX, and Bundesliga clubs, among others. 

Headquartered in Tampa, Fla., the USL provides unparalleled club support with a growing team of more than 50 professionals across 17 departments, ranging from operations to marketing, communications and sponsorship. Follow the USL at USLSoccer.com, the USL Match Center, and on social media via Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.