Toyota Add San Antonio FC to List of Soccer Partners
San Antonio FC continue to strike major partnerships leading up to the USL season as they reach a multi-year agreement with Toyota. The global brand adds to its list of soccer clubs as San Antonio FC joins FC Dallas and the Chicago Fire of the MLS as naming rights partners with Toyota for the 2016 soccer seasons.
Soccer News: San Antonio FC has agreed to a multi-year founding partnership with Toyota, the club announced at a press conference this evening. As a part of the agreement, Toyota will remain the official naming rights and jersey sponsor of Toyota Field, while also having their logo visible on player and staff apparel.
“We are pleased to partner with Toyota as we jointly move into a new era of professional soccer in San Antonio,” said SAFC Managing Director Tim Holt. “Toyota is a globally-respected brand with a major investment in all levels of domestic professional soccer, and we are proud to be able to have their name on our San Antonio FC jerseys as well as to call our home venue Toyota Field.”
Toyota has held the rights to Toyota Field since 2012. Along with being present on the club’s player and training gear, Toyota will be visible in multiple areas around the stadium. The partnership will extend from the on-field product to the local Alamo City community.
“Toyota has enjoyed being a long-standing partner of Toyota Field, and looks forward to continuing its support,” said Gulf States Toyota Vice President of Marketing Brent Hillyer. “Being home to the Toyota Tundra and Tacoma, we are committed to the San Antonio community and look forward to seeing the successes of the San Antonio FC team.”
Along with Toyota Field in San Antonio, Toyota is also the naming rights partner for MLS sides FC Dallas (Toyota Stadium) and the Chicago Fire (Toyota Park). STAR Soccer Complex, comprised of 13 fields across from Toyota Field, will also include elements from Toyota.
At tonight’s press event at Toyota Field, the club also revealed their 2016 alternate away kits, modeled by SAFC players Carlos Alvarez, Rafa Castillo and Josh Ford. The classic all-white kits will serve primarily as the club’s jersey while on the road.
“While excitement continues to build for the reveal of our 2016 primary kit next month prior to the April 9th home opener at Toyota Field, we are delighted to introduce to SAFC fans our club’s new alternate away jerseys,” said Holt. “The classic and traditional all-white kit is reminiscent of the similar look worn by several of the world’s top clubs over the years. With our away jerseys and other fan gear now available, we look forward to seeing SAFC apparel becoming more prevalent throughout San Antonio.”
Following tonight’s announcement, fans will have their first opportunity to purchase SAFC merchandise at The Soccer Factory tent at tonight’s press event. San Antonio FC merchandise will be then be on sale at both Soccer Factory locations in San Antonio during normal business hours, starting Tuesday.
San Antonio FC will play in front of home supporters for the first time at Toyota Field on Saturday, April 9 against Swope Park Rangers, the USL affiliate of Sporting Kansas City. The alternate away kit will be introduced on Monday, March 14, and will be worn in the team’s first ever game at Sounders 2 in Seattle on Sunday, April 3.
Source/Photo Credit: San Antonio FC
