Press Release
Continental Kicks-Off New Year as Official Tire of
Major League Soccer (MLS)
FORT MILL, SC – (January 14, 2009) – Continental Tire is raising its profile in one of the
fastest-growing sports segments, with the announcement of its official sponsorship of Major
League Soccer (MLS). Under terms of the new agreement, Continental becomes the
exclusive tire of MLS. The sponsorship is part of a multi-year deal with MLS which will
commence at the beginning of the 2010 MLS season.
“Continental Tire has been a long-time sponsor of FIFA World Cup Soccer, so this new
sponsorship supports that effort while at the same time raising our profile here in the U.S.,”
said Matthias Schoenberg, CEO of Continental Tire the Americas. “Soccer is the world’s
most-watched sport, and it is exploding in popularity here in the United States. We are very
excited about this sponsorship; MLS will be a great way for Continental Tire to expose a
broad audience to our products, including the new ExtremeContact line of ultra-high
performance tires.”
Under the agreement, Continental also gains the right to use MLS League and team marks in
its advertising and marketing materials. The sponsorship also provides for Continental Tire
signage on all four corners of each stadium around the country, providing visibility at more
than 240 games and nearly 300 television broadcasts during the season. Continental also
receives 30-second commercial units in national television broadcasts, visibility in game
programs, a prominent presence on the MLS website and VIP hospitality suites in select
markets.
"We are excited to welcome Continental Tire, a company with a rich history in the global
sport of soccer, to the MLS family," said Kathy Carter, executive vice president of Soccer
United Marketing, MLS' marketing arm. "Continental is an international company that
understands the language of soccer and recognizes what a special year 2010 is going to be
for the sport, both in the United States, as MLS celebrates its 15th season, and also
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Dana Zamalloa, 704-583-8165
Mariellen Fagan, 330-494-6999, ext. 201
worldwide, as 32 countries compete in the largest sporting event in the world - the FIFA
World Cup. We look forward to partnering with Continental for years to come."
About Continental Tire
Continental Tire is a division of the Continental Corporation, and offers a complete premium line of
ultra-high performance, passenger and light truck tires that instill confidence and a passion for driving.
Continental tires are fitted as original equipment on many of the world’s finest automobiles. Learn
more about Continental Tire by visiting us at www.continentaltire.com
With sales exceeding €24 billion in 2008, the Continental Corporation is one of the top automotive
suppliers worldwide. As a supplier of brake systems, systems and components for the powertrain and
chassis, instrumentation, infotainment solutions, vehicle electronics, tires and technical elastomers, the
corporation contributes towards enhanced driving safety and protection of the global climate. Continental
is also a competent partner in networked automobile communication. The corporation currently employs
approximately 134,000 at nearly 190 locations in 37 countries.
ABOUT MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER
Headquartered in New York City, Major League Soccer is the top-flight professional soccer league in the
United States and Canada. MLS features many stars from the U.S., Canada, and around the world. MLS
completed its 14th season with MLS Cup 2009 in November, with Real Salt Lake capturing its first MLS
Cup championship. MLS featured 15 teams each playing 30 regular season matches in 2009. They
included Chicago Fire, Colorado Rapids, Chivas USA, Columbus Crew, D.C. United, FC Dallas, Houston
Dynamo, Kansas City Wizards, Los Angeles Galaxy, New York Red Bulls, New England Revolution, Real
Salt Lake, San Jose Earthquakes, Toronto FC and, in its inaugural season, Seattle Sounders FC.
Philadelphia Union will debut in 2010, while expansion teams in Vancouver and Portland will debut in
2011. For more information about MLS, log on to the League’s official website at www.MLSnet.com.
Media Contacts:
Dana Zamalloa
Manager, PR and Communications
Continental Tire North America, Inc.
1830 MacMillan Park Dr.
Fort Mill, SC 29716
Phone: 704-583-8165
Cell: 704-941-4984
E-mail: dana.zamalloa@conti-na.com
Mariellen Fagan
Director, Communications
Crowl, Montgomery & Clark
123 Wilbur Dr.,
North Canton, OH 44720
Phone: 330-494-6999, ext. 201
Cell: 330-256-2049
E-mail: mfagan@crowlinc.com
Online media database: www.mediacenter.continental-corporation.com;
North America online media database: www.CTNAMedia.com , www.CTNAMedia.mobi.
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Dana Zamalloa, 704-583-8165
Mariellen Fagan, 330-494-6999, ext. 201