Solar sponsorship for Pro Soccer!
News from SolarWorld this week, the largest solar manufacturer in the United States, may please both sports fans and solar power enthusiasts. The company has entered into a deal which is the first of its kind for a solar company: sponsorship of a professional soccer team in the United States.
SolarWorld will be the primary jersey sponsor in 2010 of The Portland Timbers, based in Portland, Oregon.
The decision is not as random as it might initially seem. SolarWorld has its U.S. headquarters and a 500-megawatt (MW) manufacturing plant in Hillsboro, Oregon, which is just outside of Portland. In addition, the state of Oregon is a leader with respect to solar energy in America.
The German-based company will be the Timbers’ jersey sponsor for 2010. In a press release, Timbers President Merritt Paulson stated:
“We pride ourselves on being a green organization – not just our colors – and partnering with a preeminent sustainable company like SolarWorld is a no-brainer.”
Portland Timbers Pro Soccer
The Portland Timbers, is now a member of the North American Soccer League, and will become a Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise in 2011.
The sponsorship of the Portland soccer team is not the first foray into soccer for SolarWorld. It has a marketing agreement with a German Team, FC Cologne, and also provides solar power to an African community studio that will broadcast this year’s FIFA World Cup. In fact, that project is part of SolarWorld’s Solar2World program that works to bring solar energy to developing countries.
SolarWorld is quite excited about its new soccer sponsorship, not surprisingly. Boris Klebensberger, President and COO of the U.S. branch of the company, observed:
“Soccer is the most international sport. As a renewable-energy company involved in every major solar market, it’s only fitting for us to help support the sport in and around our various sites, including near our U.S. headquarters in Hillsboro.”
Somehow, I am inspired to head to Portland to catch a few pro soccer games this season!
Tags: major league soccer, north american soccer league, portland timbers, primary jersey sponsor, pro soccer team, solar power enthusiasts, solar2world, solarworld, sponsorship solar company
July 23rd, 2010 at 6:03 pm
Is this just for 2010 or will SolarWorks re-up for 2011, when the Timbers join Major League Soccer?
Thanks
February 28th, 2011 at 11:54 pm
Since the formation of the Premier Soccer League in 1996, as a means for there to be a single professional body that operates elite football in South Africa, I have witnessed some very interesting developments. Firstly, a lot more professionalism has been introduced and I have noticed a generally …
July 13th, 2011 at 12:31 am
Dear madam/sir,
We are a foundation based in The Netherlands with a partner NGO(ONG Sarinka) in Guinea Conakry.
We have some projects and are looking for sponsoring to install solar panels for our agriculture project to power up a pump for irregation of our 5.33HA.
As you are well aware nutrition is a big problem inafrican countries.
Please let me know if your company is willing to support us and if not can you direct us to companies that will do that.
To get an idea of what we have achieved in Guinea since 2004 please visit our website(in dutch):www.mamoudou.nl.
Kind regards,
Alice Scholing & Henk Polanen
e-mail: henkpola@zonnet.nl
alice_scholing@hotmail.com