On Wednesday, the Chicago Fire announced a multi-year partnership with Valspar Corporation, a paint and coatings manufacturer, which will be the organization's new jersey partner beginning in 2016.
The partnership includes branding on all jerseys, as well as integration into fan and community-based initiatives. Valspar will also serve as the 'Official Paint of the Chicago Fire.'
"Valspar is a globally recognizable organization with Chicago ties, and it was important for us to find a jersey partner that embodies the core values of our club," Chicago Fire Chief Operating Officer Atul Khosla said in a team statement. "The company shares our sense of passion and inclusiveness, and it is an honor for us to place its logo alongside our badge. A collective commitment to our fans and community was also an important feature of the partnership, and we look forward to working with Valspar in the coming years."
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In addition to the Valspar logo being placed on all Fire jerseys, from the first team down to Fire Juniors, Valspar will support the Fire's community initiatives and become a cornerstone partner at The PrivateBank Fire Pitch, the Fire's new $20 million soccer facility on Chicago's North Side.
"Valspar is honored to partner with the Chicago Fire, which presents a wonderful opportunity to engage the local community, but also offers us international visibility thanks to soccer's incredible global presence," said Valspar Vice President and General Manager of North American Consumer Products Aaron Erter in the statement. "Major League Soccer's popularity continues to grow by leaps and bounds. We're thrilled to be part of the Fire family and look forward to the collaborative efforts ahead."
