Canada Soccer has entered into a new marketing and sponsorship rights agreement with Canada Soccer Business, replacing a deal that players say deprived the federation of much-needed revenue.
Canada Soccer announced Friday a 12-year agreement with CSB, which will rebrand to Canadian Soccer Media & Entertainment. It comes at a critical time as Mexico and the United States prepare to host this summer’s World Cup.
The partnership includes Canada Soccer’s licensing activities, including sponsorship and media rights, to coordinate the federation’s commercial growth. It is expected that this will boost Canadian Soccer’s future finances.
The revenue generated will be invested primarily in senior and youth national teams, coaching and referee development, and community initiatives.
Original contract with Canada Soccer Business Both men and women were condemned Efforts by national teams to conclude collective agreements with Canada Soccer.
CSB paid Canada Soccer a fee, but the players argued the fee was too low. The focus was on the arrangement. $40 million lawsuit It will be brought by the women’s team in 2024.
In 2024, the players agreed to a new collective bargaining agreement conditional on a review of the 10-year agreement with CSB.
“We are working closely with the players,” Canada Soccer Secretary-General Kevin Blue told reporters at a press conference Friday. “We have developed a very strong and trusting relationship with our players over the last few years. Getting through and resolving this particular issue is a major step toward finally completing the formal ratification of the collective bargaining agreement, and we expect that to happen relatively quickly.”
The deal calls for revenue sharing between the parties, with Canada Soccer’s share increasing as revenue increases. It is backstopped by an annual minimum amount.
It also includes a commitment to give equal consideration to the men’s and women’s games, and to broadcast senior domestic games broadly both in Canada and internationally.
The partnership is revalued every three years to ensure fair market value consistency.
CSME’s James Johnson said: “We believe the floodgates will open following this announcement today. We believe there will be many new partnerships. We will see that in the coming weeks as we move towards the 2026 World Cup.”
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