SEATTLE, WASH. - As Seattle Sounders FC prepares to celebrate 10 years in Major League Soccer in 2019, the club today announced an exciting move both for the team and professional soccer in Seattle: A new jersey front sponsorship deal with locally-based online retailer Zulily. A company driven by attentive customer service in the digital age, Zulily is headquartered in Seattle, with corporate offices in Ohio as well as distribution centers in Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania and China. In addition to its new relationship with the Rave Green, Zulily is also partnering with National Women's Soccer League side Seattle Reign FC. The partnership marks Sounders FC's first new kit sponsor since joining MLS in 2009, ushering in a historic new era for the sport in the Puget Sound region, as both men's and women's professional teams unite under one community-focused partner.
ZULILY PARTNERSHIP FAST FACTS
- Zulily becomes just the second kit partner in Sounders FC's history, initiating a new multi-year agreement between the two organizations.
- After a nationwide search for its next jersey front partner, Sounders FC is excited to partner with Zulily, maintaining the Rave Green's local Seattle roots and drawing upon Zulily's recognition of passion, innovation and community.
- Zulily's partnership with Sounders FC includes the online retailer's logo on all First Team match jerseys, team travel jackets, rain and stadium jackets and official team polo shirts.
- Zulily's brand is also set to feature on Sounders FC Academy jerseys in the future, beginning at the U-12 level in the Sounders Discovery Program and advancing up to the U-16 and U-18 U.S. Soccer Development Academy squads.
- Zulily is also partnering with Reign FC as the NWSL side's presenting partner, unifying both of Seattle's professional soccer teams and showcasing a deep commitment to both the sport and community.
- Zulily's logo will appear on the primary and secondary jerseys of the First Team squads for both Sounders FC and Reign FC.
"When searching for our next primary kit partner, we approached the process thoughtfully and with considerations beyond merely the front of our jersey," said Sounders FC Owner Adrian Hanauer. "In Zulily, we have found a first class, Seattle-based organization that is not only invested in our community, but has made meaningful commitments to the growth of our sport throughout the region. Today's news doesn't just impact the future of Sounders FC, but it also supports youth soccer across the Puget Sound and the women's game for years to come. Zulily's desire to unify both professional franchises under one banner was something that stood out to us during this process, and speaks directly to our communal approach to the game in Seattle. On behalf of Sounders FC and our fan base, we could not be more thrilled to welcome Zulily into the Rave Green family."
Hanauer continues, "I'd also like to take this opportunity to thank Xbox on behalf of the club. As they hand the torch to Zulily as our primary jersey-front partner, there is no question that our colleagues at Microsoft and Xbox played key roles in successfully launching our organization within Major League Soccer. We are grateful to them for their many contributions to our club."
MEDIA RESOURCES
PHOTOS - SOUNDERS FC & REIGN FC PLAYERS IN ZULILY KITS: https://bit.ly/2HiKoqt
VIDEO - SOUNDERS FC & ZULILY LAUNCH NEW PARTNERSHIP: https://bit.ly/2ASMRlx
B-ROLL - SOUNDERS FC & REIGN FC PLAYERS DEBUT NEW LOOK:https://bit.ly/2RBhdDy
Given the continued growth and popularity of MLS and Sounders FC's sustained success on the field over the course of its first 10 years in the league, the team chose to explore all available partnership options for its new deal in 2019. Following an exhaustive nationwide search, Zulily emerged as an ideal partner eager to embrace Sounders FC's innovative plans to drive the team confidently into the future. The company launched in 2010, is headquartered in Seattle's Belltown neighborhood and is focused on delivering a customer experience that is about the thrill of the find. Zulily launches a new store every day where its customers can discover the unexpected by shopping hundreds of events featuring thousands of products for themselves, their family and their home.
"We are incredibly excited to partner with Sounders FC and Reign FC as we focus on building a national beloved consumer brand," said Kevin Saliba, Zulily Senior Vice President of Marketing. "In order to do that, it starts with the community at home, here in Seattle. Both organizations are emblematic of teamwork, innovation, passion and are community-driven organizations that align with Zulily's prioritized focus driving its mission to create moments of discovery and delight through unexpected experiences for its customers, employees and vendors."
Zulily's partnership with Sounders FC includes logo placement on all First Team match jerseys, team travel jackets, rain and stadium jackets, in addition to official team polo shirts. Zulily's brand is also set to feature on Sounders FC Academy jerseys later this season, embracing the club's dedication to its successful developmental programs and showcasing Zulily's own strong belief in the power of youth. All Sounders FC Academy sides - from the younger Discovery Program squads through the U.S. Soccer Development Academy teams at the U-16 and U-18 levels - are set to wear Zulily-endorsed jerseys in their respective competitions.
Beyond supporting Sounders FC, Zulily is also becoming the presenting sponsor for Seattle Reign FC, marking the first time that both of Seattle's professional soccer teams will be united under one jersey partner. Zulily looks to support the entirety of Seattle's vibrant soccer community with a commitment to all its professional athletes, regardless of gender.
"We're proud and excited to welcome Zulily as our new presenting partner. It was clear through our many conversations that they share our most deeply-held values, including a commitment to excellence, innovation, inclusiveness and equality. We are proud to wear their logo on our jersey and are thrilled to be working with the team at Zulily," said Bill Predmore, Owner and President of Seattle Reign FC. "I also want to thank Adrian Hanauer and the entire Sounders organization for their continued support of our club. Our partnership with Zulily would not have happened without Adrian's involvement, which serves as a tangible example of his ongoing commitment to helping our organization succeed."
Predmore continues, "We would also like to acknowledge the significant support Microsoft has provided as our presenting sponsor over the past three seasons. We look forward to our continued collaboration with Microsoft as our technology partner in 2019."
To surprise and delight Sounders FC fans and to celebrate Seattle's unparalleled soccer fandom, Zulily and Sounders FC will award one (1) Season Ticket Member with a free 2019 Rave Green jersey every day of the 2019 MLS regular season. Fans should keep an eye out for information on further Zulily programs throughout the season.
ABOUT ZULILY
Zulily, LLC, is a retailer obsessed with bringing its customers special finds every day-all at incredible prices. Zulily features an always-fresh curated collection for the whole family, including clothing, home decor, toys, gifts and more. Unique products from up-and-coming brands are featured alongside favorites from top brands, giving customers something new to discover each morning. Zulily was launched in 2010 and is headquartered in Seattle with offices in Nevada, Ohio and Pennsylvania. For more information visit www.Zulily.com. Zulily, LLC, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Qurate Retail, Inc. (NASDAQ: QRTEA, QRTEB), which includes QVC, HSN, Zulily and the Cornerstone brands (collectively, "Qurate Retail Group"), as well as other minority investments. Qurate Retail Group believes in a third way to shop -- beyond transactional ecommerce or traditional brick-and-mortar stores -- and is #1 in video commerce, #3 in ecommerce in North America and #3 in mobile commerce in the U.S. (according to Internet Retailer). For more information, visit www.qurateretailgroup.com.
ABOUT SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC
Winner of the 2016 MLS Cup, 2014 MLS Supporters' Shield and four Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup championships (2009, 2010, 2011, 2014), Sounders FC is Seattle's Major League Soccer franchise. The club received an MLS charter on November 13, 2007 and has qualified for the MLS Cup Playoffs in every year of its existence. Sounders FC reached a milestone in 2016, as the franchise claimed its first MLS Cup championship with a road victory over Toronto FC, which was followed by a second consecutive berth in the league championship in 2017. Since the club's debut MLS season in 2009, Sounders FC has set the standard for soccer support in North America, leading the league in attendance for eight consecutive seasons (2009-2016) and routinely ranking in the top 30 in attendance among all professional teams internationally. Prior to joining MLS, the Seattle Sounders organization has been a part of the greater Seattle community and U.S. Soccer professional scene since 1974.
ABOUT SEATTLE REIGN FC
Seattle Reign FC is one of nine teams in the National Women's Soccer League. The NWSL is the premier women's professional soccer league in North America, featuring many of the top players from the United States, Canada and around the world. Seattle Reign FC train and host home matches at Memorial Stadium, located in the shadow of the Space Needle on the Seattle Center campus. For more information on the club visit reignfc.com.
