US Club Soccer Partner with CSM Sport & Entertainment
US Club Soccer announces its latest partnerships with CSM Sport & Entertainment to develop and operate programming for the organization’s 500,000+ members. CSM will support US Club Soccer in its vision to become the leading soccer organization in the United States and an integral part of the National Team’s success.
Youth Soccer News: US Club Soccer announce a new partnership with CSM, a global leader in the business of sport and entertainment.
US Club Soccer is a major force in the youth soccer world.
A 501c3 nonprofit organization, US Club Soccer’s long-time marketing and management partner has been acquired by huge sports and entertainment conglomerate CSM which will now develop and operate programming for the organization’s 500,000+ members that aims to create the best possible development environment for players of all ages. CSM has offices in New York, London, Dubai and Hong Kong and has an amazingly impressive list of clients which include MLS, Manchester City, World Rugby HSBC, adidas, Verizon, Subway, Bose and Formula 1 as well as McDonalds. The CSM website says, “We help build businesses, brands and organisations through the power of sport and entertainment” and it is interesting that this global company is interested in American youth soccer. In March, CSM Sports & Entertainment were appointed by Spanish giant LaLiga to exclusively manage global sponsorship rights.
According to US Club’s CEO Kevin Payne, only a few top personal — such as himself — are part of the management partner and this is a win-win acquisition.
“US Club got a new partner with tremendous resources to help us grow. Wins all around,” said Payne.
Anchored by Players First, US Club Soccer’s flagship initiative launched last year to provide a branded, holistic club soccer experience for parents and players, there are no immediate changes on the horizon. Players First is founded on five pillars: Club Development, Coaching Development, Player Development, Parent Engagement & Education and Player Health & Safety.
Additionally, US Club Soccer offers registration, league and cup-based competition platforms, the Olympic Development Programs id² and PDP, comprehensive player identification and a variety of other services.
US Club Soccer, in conjunction with its member, the Elite Clubs National League – the top youth soccer league for girls in the country – recently announced the creation of the Elite National Premier League (ENPL), a new platform that will serve as the highest level of competition for boys outside the U.S. Soccer Development Academy.
LaLiga, one of the world’s top professional leagues, is supporting US Club Soccer and Players First through a long-term partnership that focuses on developing world-class coaches. CSM, which was appointed earlier this year to manage LaLiga’s commercial and sponsorship rights, will work closely with both organizations to deliver on this ambition.
Phil Wright, Chairman of US Club Soccer’s Board of Directors, said, “CSM’s impressive portfolio of resources affords exciting, new opportunities for US Club Soccer. Through this partnership, we will be able to accomplish our goals, provide even greater benefits to our members and fulfill our vision for the future.”
The CSM-US Club Soccer partnership significantly strengthens CSM’s presence in the North American market and in one of its fastest growing sports. Soccer is thriving in the U.S., a trend demonstrated by the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup Final, in which the United States beat Japan in the most-watched soccer match in U.S. history at 26.67 million television viewers.
“We see the growth of soccer in the U.S., both at professional and grassroots levels, as one of the most interesting and exciting dynamics in the future U.S. sporting landscape,” said Zak Brown, Group CEO of CSM. “US Club Soccer is a fantastic organization at the heart of this movement and fits our strategy of expansion in the U.S. and grassroots participation properties. Moreover, this acquisition aligns with our core belief of using the power of sport to positively impact people’s lives and deliver a lasting social impact.”
US Club Soccer’s grassroots focus gives CSM a valuable presence in an area that is growing rapidly. It is great that global soccer stars such as Andrea Pirlo and Kaká, and key U.S. National Team players like Michael Bradley and Clint Dempsey are inspiring the next generation to fall in love with soccer.
And, America’s love affair with soccer is growing … ESPN’s Sports Poll Annual Report found that soccer is the second most popular sport in America among 12 to 17-year-olds – second only to the NFL.
Source/Photo Credit: US Club Soccer
