A D.C. United player was seen Tuesday inside RFK Stadium wearing a team jersey bearing a Volkswagen logo, which could mean the club is nearing completion of a major sponsorship deal with the German auto manufacturer.
United spokesman Doug Hicks refused to comment as no agreement has been officially announced. Volkswagen spokesman Steve Keyes said there are no signed deals and also would not comment further.
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.
Although it may be coincidental, Volkswagen also unveiled a special “United” series of cars last fall in Germany as part of its sponsorship of a major German indoor soccer tournament.
Major League Soccer does not currently have a major auto sponsor. Honda ended its 12-year sponsorship deal with the league last year. The Chicago Fire’s home stadium, in the city’s suburb of Bridgeview, was opened in 2006 under the name Toyota Park.
D.C. United had a potential shirt sponsorship deal with Verizon Wireless collapse last fall, according to a source.
