SANDY, Utah (Thursday, October 7, 2021) – Real Salt Lake and Continental Tire, one of the oldest independent and largest tire manufacturers in the world, today announced a renewal of their successful partnership that for more than a decade has significantly advanced the growth of Major League Soccer and the sport in North America. Celebrating its 150th company anniversary on October 8, Continental Tire will continue to serve as the League’s Official Tire and as an Official Partner of all 27 MLS Clubs, including Utah’s 17-year old representative.
To commemorate 150 years, Continental Tire is gifting $150,000 to the incredibly passionate fans of MLS, the Club Supporters Groups.
“We’ve been celebrating the culture of soccer in North America as a partner of Major League Soccer for over 10 years and we’re excited to continue the partnership once again,” said Travis Roffler, director of marketing for Continental Tire. “We have a deep understanding of the passion that drives this sport as Continental’s soccer roots began in the 1950’s with Hannover 96, a German professional soccer club. As we celebrate Continental’s 150th anniversary this October, we look forward to bringing MLS fans along for the ride for more years to come.”
Real Salt Lake’s partnership with Continental Tire, which began in 2010, will continue to forge a deeper connection with soccer’s young and engaged fan base by creating unique experiences and offerings. With MLS supporters and fans at the core of all activations, Continental Tire has become an authentic part of the gameday experience.
“We at Real Salt Lake are appreciative of League partners who seek to activate here in Utah, and those who look to be creative in connecting with our inspiring fan base and the amazing communities across the Wasatch Front,” said Brook Bingham, Vice President of Corporate Partnerships, an RSL original from the club’s 2004 inception who recently returned to the Club. “RSL looks forward to welcoming Continental Tire and its numerous vendors in Utah and across the Intermountain West to join us in our exciting in-Stadium and community initiatives for the 2022 season and beyond, up and down our vast and impressive RSL / Monarchs / Academy pyramid.”
In 2021, Continental Tire also continues its essential support of Kick Childhood Cancer – the League’s campaign to strengthen research efforts to find cures for all types of childhood cancer. Kick Childhood Cancer is part of MLS WORKS, the League’s social responsibility platform.
A breakdown of the multi-faceted partnership by the numbers is detailed below:
· 12 years of celebrating soccer marking one of the longest tenured partnerships in MLS history.
· 27 Club partnerships
· Over 250k scarves distributed
For more information on Continental Tire’s partnership with Major League Soccer, visit MLSsoccer.com.
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ABOUT REAL SALT LAKE
Real Salt Lake concludes its 17th Major League Soccer season this Fall. The club's MLS Cup 2009 victory marked the state of Utah's only major professional championship in nearly 40 years, the title preceding an historic run to the 2010/11 CONCACAF Champions League Final. Buoyed by a passionate base boasting several thousand season ticket holders, RSL has enjoyed a prominent home-field advantage – posting a dominant record of 122-33-55 (W-L-T) at home since building its permanent Rio Tinto Stadium home in Sandy in late 2008.
In 2015, the club expanded its development pyramid with the addition of Real Monarchs SLC, one of several MLS-operated clubs playing in the USL, the United States' Division II setup. The Monarchs boast a pair of titles in its brief history, as the 2017 USL regular-season champions, later winning the USL Championship Final in 2019.
The entire RSL pyramid, which includes the RSL Academy’s U-15 and U-17 teams, calls the expansive Zions Bank Training Center in Herriman, Utah their daily training home. With five world-class grass fields, two indoor turf fields, a residential dormitory, the RSL Academy High School and the 5,000-seat Zions Bank Stadium located on a 42-acre campus, Utah’s sporting future is bright. Added in 2020 is the elite RSL Academy basketball program, already earning accolades internationally for its vision, mission and accomplishments.
The RSL Community Foundation was established in 2016, created with the goals of being active in the community year-round, utilizing the popularity and reach of RSL and the Monarchs in promoting health and wellness in children throughout the region, engaging supporters of soccer to raise funds and volunteer time for various local initiatives.
ABOUT MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER
Headquartered in New York City, Major League Soccer features 27 clubs throughout the United States and Canada, in addition to future expansion teams in St. Louis and Charlotte. For more information about MLS, visit [www.MLSsoccer.com\](https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/Ki0C5yVDMIMO1jRH4MsoE?domain=cl.exct.net).
ABOUT CONTINENTAL TIRE THE AMERICAS, LLC.
Based in Fort Mill, S.C., Continental Tire the Americas, LLC manufactures and distributes a complete premium line of passenger, light truck and commercial tires for original equipment and replacement markets. Our ultra-high, performance tires include award-winning technologies that focus on safety, help save money, and reduce CO2 emissions. Continental’s premium products are available at leading independent tire dealers, car dealers, and mass retail companies across North America. Continental Tire is a proud supporter of Major League Soccer (MLS), College Basketball, West Coast Customs, Lingenfelter Performance Engineering, Petty’s Garage, ROUSH Performance, Stadium Super Trucks, Dream Giveaway, BMW Performance Driving Centers, and the AMG Driving Academy. In 2021, Continental celebrates its 150th anniversary. For more information, visit www.continentaltire.com.
