A major corporate partner is on board for Austin FC, as St. David’s HealthCare has agreed to sponsor the club’s training academy and practice jerseys.
Planning for a 2021 launch for Austin FC is underway, and the club has lined up a notable corporate partner in Austin-based St. David’s HealthCare. Under an agreement announced Wednesday, the medical care provider will serve as the sponsor of the club’s training academy and its practice jerseys.
Work to obtain corporate backing for major sponsorships such as gameday jerseys and stadium naming rights is underway, but Austin FC has secured its first founding corporate partner through the agreement with St. David’s HealthCare. As part of this partnership, St. David’s HealthCare will have a major presence at the planned training academy, which will be constructed at a yet-to-be-determined location. More from the Austin American-Statesman:
Financial terms and the length of the contract were not disclosed, but [St. David’s HealthCare president and CEO David] Huffstutler said he expects it to be a “long-term, multi-year” arrangement. A source familiar with MLS sponsorships said similar relationships often run “deep into the seven figures” annually.
Officially, the agreement makes St. David’s the first founding corporate partner, official health care partner, training partner and performance center naming rights partner of Austin’s first franchise in any of the five major North American sports leagues.
The location of the training and medical care facility, to be called the St. David’s Performance Center, will be announced at a later date.
“It’s super important for us to partner with local companies,” said Anthony Precourt, chairman and CEO of Austin FC. “St. David’s is one of the best companies in Texas and in Austin, and has done so much good for this community locally.”
In addition, Austin FC is making progress in the planning of its new stadium at McKalla Place, as the Austin Planning Commission recommended approval of rezoning for the facility last week. Austin FC is looking to break ground on the privately financed $240 million stadium in September, with the planned opening to coincide with the club’s inaugural 2021 season.
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