VW extends as DC United shirt sponsor

03 December 2012 | Posted in Sponsorship, Soccer, North America | By Ian McPherson

Major League Soccer (MLS) club DC United has agreed a one-year extension to its front-of-shirt sponsorship with German carmaker Volkswagen.  

The deal, first reported by the Washington Post, is said to include an option to extend for the 2014 MLS season.

VW vice president of marketing Kevin Mayer confirmed the renewal but refused to comment on its value. He did, however, say that terms have changed from the previous five-year agreement, which is set to expire on 31st December and, according to the Washington Post report, is worth in the region of US$3 million per season.  

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“The team is thriving again, the product is strong,” Mayer told the newspaper. “Down the road, if a new stadium is built, we would like to be part of it.”

VW is also said to be in negotiations over a renewal of its sponsorship agreement with the MLS. The current contract, signed in March 2009, is estimated to be worth US$10 million over its four-year term and sees VW designated as the league’s official automotive partner.