COPPERTONE TEAMS UP WITH U.S. SOCCER FEDERATION AND NATIONAL WOMEN’S SOCCER LEAGUE IN MULTI-YEAR PARTNERSHIP
Suncare Leader to be Official Sunscreen of U.S. Soccer and NWSL
Soccer United Marketing and Bayer HealthCare, the makers of Coppertone®, today announced a multi-year, multi-property partnership making Coppertone® the Official Suncare Partner of U.S. Soccer and the National Women’s Soccer League.
Why do we need sunscreen?
Answering the simple question as to why do we all need to use sunscreen, Coppertone’s website has useful information on the sun’s impact and why we should all put sunblock on before we tie our cleats. Obviously our skin needs protection from the invisible ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun, namely UVA and UVB rays yet somehow the majority of soccer players seemingly forget to use sunblock and staying out of the sun during the prime 10 AM to 2 PM time slot is impossible.
Throughout this partnership, Coppertone®, U.S. Soccer and NWSL will encourage the importance of using sun protection during every occasion, whether it’s cheering from the stands, playing and sweating on the field, or relaxing by the pool between games. Overexposure to the sun can result in premature skin aging and other skin damage. In fact, up to 90 percent of visible skin changes commonly attributed with premature skin aging are caused by the sun. Outdoor athletes in particular receive more UV exposure than the general public, and, as their skin is more vulnerable to UV rays while sweating, they need a sunscreen they can rely on. With a high performance formula that works just as hard as they do, Coppertone Sport has their back.
“We are very excited to partner with Coppertone, whose leadership in the suncare industry and track record for high performance sunscreens is a natural fit with the NWSL,” NWSL Commissioner Jeff Plush said. “We boast some of the hardest working elite athletes in the world and are backed by passionate fans who desire a dedicated brand that can support them every step of the way both on the field and in the stands.”
Coppertone® will support the U.S. Women’s National Team as it embarks on its journey to the Women’s World Cup this year. It will also back the U.S. Men’s National Team — a group that captivated the entire country last summer at the World Cup in Brazil — in this summer’s CONCACAF Gold Cup. The brand will have access to U.S. Soccer branding on packaging and displays, while sampling at local team games and leveraging the partnership in both broadcast and digital advertising. Coppertone® will also work closely with U.S. Soccer to have products in the locker room. The sponsorship is inclusive of the U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Teams, as well as the Youth National Teams and the U.S. Soccer Development Academy.
In support of the partnership, Coppertone will work with several players to educate fans about the importance of sun protection. As brand ambassadors and role models for athletes across the country, they will spread a message to their fan bases and beyond: sun protection is essential for healthy skin and should be used every day. Since soccer is also one of the most-played sports by children ages 4 to 19 in the United States, supporting the daily use of sunscreen both in and out of the game will encourage sun smart habits.
“We’re thrilled to be partnering with U.S. Soccer and NWSL. Coppertone® pioneered the suncare industry with its creation of the sport sunscreen category and its extensive portfolio of products. That’s why working with such an elite group of athletes to spread the sun protection message is a perfect match for us,” said Tracy Nunziata, Vice President, Suncare and Dermatology at Bayer HealthCare. “As the suncare leader, Coppertone is also excited to educate soccer enthusiasts about the importance of sun protection, whether they’re an athlete on the field or a fan watching from the sidelines.”
Founded in 1913, U.S. Soccer is the not-for-profit, governing body of soccer in the United States and has helped chart the course for the game for more than 100 years. During this time, the Federation’s mission statement has been clear and simple: to make soccer, in all its forms, a pre-eminent sport in the United States and to continue the development of soccer at all recreational and competitive levels.
To that end, the sport’s development and growth in the United States during the past 25 years has been nothing short of remarkable as U.S. Soccer’s National Teams have continually succeeded on the world stage and, with the assistance of its members, the fan support and participation in the game continues to reach new heights.
The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) is a nine-team Division-I women’s professional soccer league featuring national team players from Canada, Mexico and the U.S. The nine clubs are the Boston Breakers, Chicago Red Stars, Houston Dash, FC Kansas City, Portland Thorns FC, Seattle Reign FC, Sky Blue FC, Washington Spirit and the Western New York Flash. The NWSL kicked off its third season on Friday, April 10, and will play a 21-week, 20-game schedule. More than 50 NWSL players will represent 10 countries in the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup this summer in Canada.
Based in Chicago, the NWSL is supported by the Canadian Soccer Association, Federation of Mexican Football and the United States Soccer Federation.
Image Courtesy of Boston Breakers and Coppertone information
