The Chicago Fire are actively seeking a new corporate jersey sponsor after their deal with Best Buy expires at the end of 2010, according to a report.
The Chicago Business Journal has reported that Best Buy, the international electronics retail giant, will not pursue any jersey sponsorship next year.
Fire president Julian Posada confirmed the move through a statement to the financial publication.
“Best Buy has been a valued sponsor of the Chicago Fire for three years," he said. "We understand and respect their decision to change the direction of their marketing program, and we look forward to working with them in new ways in the future."
A Best Buy spokesperson told the Journal through a statement: “It has been an honor to work with this world-class organization over the last three years, and we intend to continue to offer our enthusiastic support of the Fire."
Posada also said the Fire are pursuing a number of potential sponsors to replace Best Buy, telling the Chicago Tribune he's hopeful that the new jersey sponsor will be Chicago-based.
"Being selfish, I would love someone from our hometown," Posada said. "We have a lot of great companies in the city."
Former Fire president John Guppy and the club signed the jersey sponsorship deal in Jan. 2008 after a number of companies showed interest in becoming the first to brand the Fire jersey. The deal came less than a year after the Fire signed Mexican icon Cuauhtémoc Blanco and shortly after Best Buy announced it would make its first expansion in Mexico before the end of 2008.
Guppy told MLSsoccer.com earlier this year that the Blanco signing had a direct impact on Best Buy’s willingness to invest in the team. Blanco, meanwhile, was not re-signed after his contract ended following the 2009 season.
Ready to launch: MLS Matchday 2010, The new official MLS iPhone app. It's FREE! Download it here!
