When word got to Dave Checketts that the Real jersey front was sponsorable, he immediately thought of Real Salt Lake's partner in the 2006 XanGo Cup. "For the players, you have to put a name there that you are comfortable with," Checketts said. "There are a lot of names we wouldn't want to put there."
On Friday, November 17, 2006, XanGo unveiled an unprecedented development in U.S. professional sports and Major League Soccer by announcing a landmark jersey-front sponsorship with Real Salt Lake.
The deal has been a dream come true for both organizations, leading to better practice facilities and a stronger fan base for Real while giving XanGo employees and Distributors an excellent outlet for their passion as well as increased domestic and global exposure for the brand.
XanGo President & CEO Aaron Garrity, Real Salt Lake Owner David W Checketts, and eight RSL players wearing the new XanGo-branded jerseys gathered onstage at the Salt Palace Convention Center to make the historic announcement in front of nearly 10,000 XanGo Distributors at the 2006 XanGo Revolution Convention.
The multi-year deal includes signage and promotional opportunities at the team's home venue, Rio Tinto Stadium, in Sandy, Utah. Each year, Real Salt Lake's international exhibition calendar will feature the XanGo Cup, which debuted on August 12, 2006, between RSL and Real Madrid, drawing more than 45,000 fans and 250,000 television viewers domestically. Select adidas/RSL training and off-field gear will also promote the XanGo/RSL partnership.
Today, XanGo Nation has been traveling with Real Salt Lake for the majority of their existence, showing up in dozens of states and multiple countries, including key domestic and international markets through television stations and even gaming consoles.
And in 2009, at a press conference held in Rio Tinto Stadium, XanGo and Real Salt Lake broke news that our jersey-front partnership will extend through the 2013 season.
"This partnership is ideal for XanGo and our global brand in the sense that our brand goes wherever the team plays and that soccer is the world's game. We promise that XanGo and its more-than-one-million Distributors worldwide will continue to support Real Salt Lake both at home and abroad," said XanGo Founder & Board Member Gordon Morton.
"We are very pleased to continue our partnership with XanGo, and to represent their brand on our jersey through the 2013 season," said Real Salt Lake President Bill Manning. "XanGo is a great asset to the Utah business community and we appreciate their continued support of our organization."
The desire of XanGo has been to play the role of sidekick, supporter and accomplice to Real Salt Lake through meaningful provisions and conspicuous demonstrations of passion. So far, that has been the case.
