USL Announces Multi-Year Partnership with Blinkfire Analytics

he United Soccer Leagues, LLC (USL), announced today it had entered into a multi-year partnership with Blinkfire Analytics, establishing the world-renowned technology company as the Official Social Media Valuation Supplier for all related properties, including the United Soccer League, USL’s Division III, the Premier Development League (PDL), and the Super Y League.

The partnership extends the growth of the USL’s Preferred Supplier Program, which over the past 10 months has established key relationships with leading businesses across a broad spectrum of professional league services.

“We are excited to announce Blinkfire Analytics as the most recent member of our Preferred Supplier Program,” said USL President Jake Edwards.  “As our league continues to grow, so too does the sophistication of our teams’ business operations. Sponsorship is a key driver of revenue and Blinkfire’s technology will be a tremendous asset to our clubs.” 

Blinkfire Analytics is a technology company, empowering leagues, teams, players, influencers, brands, and agencies to quantify their social presence, and evaluate the efficacy and potential of their sponsorships. Working across the sports and entertainment industry, Blinkfire’s expertise reaches all corners of the globe.

“We are proud to be a partner to the USL, helping their leagues and teams grow the business side of the game,” said Blinkfire’s Chief Executive Officer Steve Olechowski. “With all the momentum the league has been generating recently, we’re excited to work together to merge the worlds of soccer, sponsorship, and technology.”

The USL will oversee the expansion of an estimated 30–40 new franchises at the second and third divisions of professional soccer over the next five years, which will create opportunities for potential suppliers and vendors to support this growth.

Through its Preferred Supplier Program, the USL connects suppliers with new franchise owners and existing USL clubs in order to deliver the best possible experience for fans across North America. Preferred suppliers are “Best in Class” companies that provide services and products to professional franchises and stadium developers and must meet the USL’s strict quality standards. 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 USL: The USL is one of the most prominent Division II professional soccer leagues in the world, reaching a population of more than 75 million people to fuel the growth of professional soccer across North America. Headquartered in Tampa, Florida, 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. 

The USL has national media partnerships with ESPN and SiriusXM, and operates USL Productions, which includes a state-of-the-art facility that will produce and distribute more than 500 league matches and more than 1,000 hours of original content to national partners, local affiliates, the USL’s Match Center and international markets over the 2018 season.