Chelsea FC Annoucnes Agreement with Disney

[Rosenrot]

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=yspsctnhdln>Sorry for the misspelling in the headline o_o Argh.

Finally - some EXCITING news!

Chelsea announces agreement with Disney
</TD></TR><TR><TD height=7><SPACER height="1" type="block" width="1"></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><STYLE type=text/css> td.yspwidearticlebody { font-size: 13.5px; }</STYLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=yspwidearticlebody>July 14, 2007


<SMALL>PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA (TICKER) </SMALL>-- Chelsea Football Club announced Saturday that it is teaming with The Walt Disney Company in a long-term agreement.

The partnership with Disney's Wide World of Sports was announced by leading executives from both companies at a press conference before Saturday's friendly match between Chelsea and Club America.
Under the terms of the four-year agreement, Chelsea becomes the official professional soccer club of Disney's Wide World of Sports and the presenting sponsor of the Disney Soccer Showcase Series.

This partnership is groundbreaking for both sides," Chelsea business affairs director Paul Smith said. "Chelsea is delighted to be partnering with Disney on this second project, following the sponsorship of today's game. Chelsea is committed to assisting and promoting all levels of soccer in the United States, and youth soccer is massive part of that. Disney is at the forefront of that movement in the U.S. on various levels."


As a result, Chelsea will be associated with the top youth soccer event destination, Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex, and the No. 1 youth event in the United States, Disney's Soccer Showcase.

Chelsea will also have significant presence at the other Disney-created soccer events through coaching and player clinics, which will be held in association with some of the events. These will be run under the guidance of Chelsea's Football in the Community scheme.

The announcement is the first stage in a possible broader partnership between the two companies.

The agreement represents Disney's Sport's most significant alliance with an international sports organization to date, further cementing Disney's Wide World of Sports as the preeminent venue for amateur and professional sports in the world.

Chelsea, widely regarded as one of the world's most famous soccer clubs, will join the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Major League Baseball's Atlanta Braves and the NBA's Orlando Magic, among other organizations, who have trained at Disney's sports complex.

"To align ourselves with Chelsea FC, which is recognized as one of the most popular soccer clubs in the world, will not only confirm the position of the Disney Soccer Showcase as the premiere youth soccer tournament in the United States, but now makes it an absolute must tournament for youth soccer players everywhere," said Mike Millay, the director of sports at the Walt Disney World Resort. "We look forward to a long and rewarding relationship with Chelsea."

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Official Site: http://www.chelseafc.com

HECK YES!!!! My favourite team in the entire world! <3<!-- 1184461386-0001925837 1184461392 -->
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[Timmay]

It's a shame Disney couldn't see fit to have such an agreement with a MLS team...perhaps leading to a much needed MLS team to the Florida area.

If soccer is to grow in America, perhaps the teams that are already here should be invested in...or is it only about the money.:brick:

As a result, Chelsea will be associated with the top youth soccer event destination, Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex, and the No. 1 youth event in the United States, Disney's Soccer Showcase.

Mmmm, must not have heard about this place...nor the youth events and tournaments held there.
http://www.dickssportinggoodspark.com/

 

[uklad79]

I am surprised Man Utd didn't get in their as they have the Football School at DLP and Glazer already has the Buccaneers playing their so it would have made sense to promote his UK investment in the States.

 

[Rosenrot]

I don't care what anyone is saying about the fact that David Beckham is going to make 'soccer' appreciated in the US - he's not going to change a thing. It'll be over in a few short months, and then America will go back to loving American football and baseball.

I personally think that Chelsea was a good choice - and they are currently in Los Angeles, with Disneyland. This is their fourth year in a row of touring the US before the Premeirship starts. They want to continue to come.

 

[WDW Monorail]

I'm not sure if this is a good move or not. Hopefully it is but the World's Game in America is still shakey.

I would really like to see and Expansion 2009 team from Disney in the MLS. Lets remember what happened to 2 popular teams based in Florida... Miami Fusion and TB Mutiny.

 

[rmforney]

It's a shame Disney couldn't see fit to have such an agreement with a MLS team...perhaps leading to a much needed MLS team to the Florida area.

If soccer is to grow in America, perhaps the teams that are already here should be invested in...or is it only about the money.:brick:


Mmmm, must not have heard about this place...nor the youth events and tournaments held there.
http://www.dickssportinggoodspark.com/

Actually, Its pretty smart to go with an English team. I live just south of WDW and all the neighborhoods are filled with homes owned by the Brits. Get the $$$ that are they have in the sports area... Just a thought.

 

[barnum42]

If soccer is to grow in America, perhaps the teams that are already here should be invested in...or is it only about the money.:brick:

Yes, it is only about money. The Disney Corporation does nothing out of the goodness of its heart. It is all about making as much money as possible from the minimum of investment.

Chelsea FC has grown in the last few years due to the investment of a Russian Millionaire - who is out to make money as much as Disney. The two will naturally make an alliance.