NuRock Soccer Holdings LLC (“NuRock Soccer Holdings”) proclaimed that it has purchased United Soccer Leagues (“USL”) from NIKE.
NuRock Soccer Holdings, located in Atlanta, is led by Rob Hoskins and Alec Papadakis. NuRock Soccer Holdings is now a USL franchisee with a Premier Development League operation in Atlanta and rights to purchase two USL First Division teams in Atlanta, Georgia and Birmingham, Alabama marketplaces, respectively.
Rob Hoskins, the Chairman of NuRock Soccer Holdings, is one of the country’s most honoured and largest real estate developers in residential housing, and brings his valuable management and branding experience to the soccer field. Alec Papadakis, the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Partner of NuRock Soccer Holdings, is a franchise attorney with native and international expansion experience. As a player in the North American Soccer League for the Atlanta Chiefs and the Boston Minutemen, Papadakis has had a long, storied soccer career in the United States at the collegiate and professional level, with plenty of accolades.
“We are delighted to close this transaction with NIKE and begin a partnership with Nike’s leading football brands which will sponsor and support USL, and all of its leagues, for many years to come. Together with USL Management, we are excited about the opportunity to grow the size and visibility of USL, and to help develop and train the future generations of soccer athletes in the United States”, said Alec Papadakis, CEO of NuRock Soccer Holdings.
Rob Hoskins, Chairman of NuRock Soccer Holdings, discussed, “Our vision for USL is to become the most competitive and profitable pyramid of soccer leagues in North America, while providing affordable family entertainment, and serving as the inspirational destination for professional and amateur youth soccer players in the U.S.”
Nike and Umbro will go on to support USL through a long-term sponsorship agreement naming Umbro as the official sponsor and exclusive supplier of match balls for USL’s professional and amateur leagues, including USL First Division, USL Second Division, Premier Development League and W-League. Nike Soccer will also serve as an exclusive sponsor for USL.
“This is really the best of both worlds for USL,” said Francisco Marcos, Founder and Chairman of United Soccer Leagues. “We have new ownership that will focus solely on developing and growing the leagues, and Umbro and Nike Soccer join us as sponsors to support our franchise owners, teams and athletes.”
NuRock Soccer Holdings LLC is part of the umbrella family of companies known as The NuRock Companies. The Principals of NuRock have a dedicated and deep understanding of the soccer industry.
United Soccer Leagues (“USL”), with headquarters in Tampa, FL, is the largest institution of elite-level soccer leagues in North America. USL is composed of six leagues, USL First and Second Divisions (men’s professional soccer), Premier Development League (men’s under-23), W-League (women’s), USL Super-20 League (under-20, men’s and women’s amateur), and Super Y-League (boy’s and girl’s elite youth amateur). Devoted to growing the sport of soccer at the grassroots level, USL has provided a platform for thousands of players to reach their dreams over the last three decades.
NIKE is a systematic team work dealing with Multi-category industries, not only in footwear and apparel. The step of NIKE will never be stopped by any barriers. Maybe in the process, the group will meet some problems. But that can not deny the developments of NIKE. This takeove shows NIKE’s generosity in business and its power and appeal to the other companies. A tree can not make a wood, only cooperation and help from each company can make the companies grow better and better. To some extent, NIKE has set an example for others.
