Photo by ISIPhotos.com
By RYAN TOLMICH
The partnership between the Philadelphia Union and Bimbo Bakeries is set to continue for the foreseeable future.
Bimbo, the Union’s current jersey sponsor, has renewed their partnership with the MLS side for another five years, according to the Philadelphia Business Journal. Neither organization disclosed terms of the deal, but the report states that sources told them they believe the deal will net the Union more than $11 million, or about $2.3 million per season.
“It’s been a great partnership for us for the past four years, and we are looking forward to the next five,” said Vincent A. Melchiorre, senior vice president of Bimbo Bakeries USA. “They are a tremendous organization to work with. They’ll do everything they can do to grow both businesses.”
“Words cannot describe how excited and honored we are to not only have a great brand on the front of the Philadelphia Union uniform,” said Nick Sakiewicz, Union CEO and operating partner, “but also a unique marketing partnership with a company that shares our core values and vision about the growth of soccer in America.”
Here are some more news and notes from around MLS:
EARTHQUAKES MIDFIELDER GARCIA SUFFERS TORN MENISCUS
Less than two weeks into his MLS career, Matias Perez Garcia is reportedly the latest player to be sidelined with an injury.
The Earthquakes Designated Player could potentially miss the rest of the season after suffering a torn meniscus in the team’s 5-0 loss Saturday to FC Dallas in what was just Perez Garcia’s second game, according to .
Perez Garcia is now set to undergo arthroscopic surgery to his right knee that will sideline the Argentine for 4-6 weeks. Perez Garcia joins exciting forward Yannick Djalo on the sidelines. Djalo has been out since early August with a right quadriceps strain.
ATLANTA RECEIVES MORE THAN 14,000 SEASON TICKET DEPOSITS
Fans of Atlanta’s MLS expansion franchise are proving the doubters wrong.
Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank spoke to the public on Tuesday and revealed that the MLS franchise has received more than 14,000 deposits for season tickets, at a cost of $50 per deposit. Blank then challenged fans of the still unnamed team to fill up the remaining 11,000 seats by the end of 2014.
While that may be a challenge that won’t be accomplished in the final four and a half months of the year, it remains impressive that Atlanta has received more than 14,000 commitments. The team is scheduled to begin play in MLS in the 2017 season.
QUESTIONS ARISE OVER ORLANDO CITY SC STADIUM
With New York City FC battling stadium difficulties, fellow 2015 MLS debutante Orlando City SC are facing some troubles of their own in hammering out the details of a potential stadium.
The City of Orlando has been forced to answer questions with regards to the planned stadium, which is to be located at Parramore Heritage Park. The site comes with it’s drawbacks, however, as concerns have arisen over pollution around the potential site, which previously housed a dry cleaning plant in the 1970’s.
Meanwhile, construction will also include filling in the park’s signature pond, moving a city fire station and closing a local street.
The city maintains that the current site will cost less than previous options, although the proposed relocation of the fire station was not taken into account due to a previous planned move for the facility.
ESCOBAR FINED FOR EMBELLISHMENT
FC Dallas winger Andres Escobar is the latest player to draw the ire of the MLS Disciplinary Committee.
The league announced Wednesday that Escobar has been fined an undisclosed amount for embellishment stemming from an incident in FC Dallas’ 5-0 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes Saturday.
With his side up 2-0 in the 51st minute, Escobar went down in the vicinity of San Jose Earthquakes midfielder Atiba Harris, prompting a whistle from the referee.
Escobar and FC Dallas are back in action Friday as they host Western Conference leaders Real Salt Lake.
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What do you think of these notes? What do you think about the Union’s deal with Bimbo? Who do you see replacing Perez Garcia in the Earthquakes’ lineup? Impressed with Atlanta’s season ticket numbers? Are you concerned over the Orlando City stadium?
Share your thoughts below.