Seattle sings $4m jersey deal with Microsoft

They are still 10 months away from their first MLS kickoff, but the Sounders just got a large investor. Microsoft has signed on to be the official jersey sponsor of the new Sounders, however don't expect to see the four-color floating paper. Instead, 'Xbox 360 LIVE' will appear on the front of the kit. The five year deal is worth $4m annually.

This is not a huge surprise as one of the main investors in the club is Paul Allen, i.e. the Chairman of Microsoft, but it is still a big move for the club. The $4m figure places them on the upper end of MLS jersey deals (only LA's deal appears to be worth more). It also means that their entire MLS salary is covered with about $1.7m left over. That's some good starting money for a designated player.

"We all felt the best place to start in Seattle was Microsoft," co-owner Joe Roth said. "It's an international company but also a local company, which is what soccer should be."

With 16,000 season tickets already sold, a solid shirt sponsor and the ability to take some players from their USL side, Seattle might just break the expansion team curse.

VW backs DC and MLS in $4-6 million deal

The rumor is now official, DC United has a jersey sponsor.

Volkswagen has signed a multi-year deal with United that will be worth as much as $3.7million annually for the club. By Vee Dub's commitment to the top-level US league does not end with one shirt as they have also become the official automotive partner of MLS. This partnership will give the league an additional $1-2m annually.

A final official announcement is expected next week.

It will be interesting to see how VW runs with their MLS partnership. Will they use any footage or players in commercials/billboards or are they just interested in having their logo behind Beckham and the rest during press conferences?

For DC, like I said yesterday, this is a good get and at almost $4m a year, it is sure to make their bottom line a lot nicer. Also, having a well known, European based company on a MLS jersey is a very good idea.

This deal makes DC the ninth MLS side with a jersey sponsor. It is also the second biggest sponsorship after LA's $3.5-$5m a year deal with Herbalife.

DC United and VW in jersey sponsor deal?

Is a new jersey sponsor about to join the MLS ranks? It seems so as the Examiner reports the sighting of a DC United player in RFK wearing a team jersey with the Volkswagen logo. No official word has come out of the front office but it is no secrete that the team has been looking hard for a shirt companion.

If completed, the arrangement would make United the ninth of 14 Major League Soccer teams to sell the front of its jersey to a corporate sponsor. The Los Angeles Galaxy currently has the league’s top deal, reportedly earning between $3.5 million and $5 million a year from Herbalife through 2011.

Volkswagen of America recently strengthened its ties to the Washington area, announcing in September that it was moving its headquarters from Detroit to Herndon. It has announced major sales targets increases in North America over the next 10 years.

Since DC released their 2008 shirt earlier this year, speculation has been ripe that a shirt deal was on the way as the entire front of the jersey had little on it.

If United land VW, it will be a very solid get as they are a well-known international company with a good history in the sport. Also, as you can see in my mock-up of the jersey, their logo would not clash with a DC jersey.

Chicago Fire’s jerseys are a Best Buy

Not only do the Fire finally have a coach, but they also have a jersey sponsor for the front of their shirt. Minneapolis based electronics store Best Buy has reached a deal with the club. One of the main reasons given for this move is a Best Buy’s plan to open stores in Mexico this year.

The Fire are the eighth MLS club to land a jersey sponsor joining Chivas, Columbus, Houston, LA, NY, Salt Lake and Toronto. I'm not sure, but I believe Honda is no longer a back of the jersey sponsor.

Houston Dynamo find an amigo for their shirt

The Houston Dynamo has become the fifth MLS side to sign a jersey sponsorship deal. Starting this Sunday, Houston will wear jerseys with the Amigo Energy logo.

Amigo is a company that was founded four years ago by two Hispanic businessmen, a father and son team, with more than 20 years of collective experience in the Texas deregulated electricity market,

Houston has linked up with Amigo for the next four years for an undisclosed sum. For those wanting to get a Houston jersey with the Amigo logo, they will be available in January of next year.

Chivas get shirt sponsor

Chivas USA now has a shirt sponsor after signing a multi-million dollar deal with Mexican paint maker Comex.

"Chivas USA is proud to have partnered with such an important Mexican company, which not only has a longstanding commitment to supporting professional sports, but also sees value in promoting health and recreation among young people. We are confident that together, Comex Group and Chivas USA will proudly represent Mexico in the United States and beyond," said Chivas USA President and Co-Owner Antonio Cué.

The team will start wearing the new jersey on Sunday when they take on the LA 'Herbalife' Galaxy.

Chivas joins LA, Real Salt Lake, Toronto and, or course, New York as MLS clubs with sponsors.