USL to seek affiliations with European clubs

Story courtesy USL Public Relations

TAMPA, FL (August , 2008) - United Soccer Leagues (USL), the North American development system for high-level soccer, and Beswicks Sports, one of the leading legal advisers in the sports arena, have announced a partnership to develop affiliations and partnerships between European clubs and USL franchises in North America.

This announcement stems from USL’s initiatives over the past year with developing international relationships with foreign-based clubs to provide a platform that affords opportunities for player development, identification and commercial objectives. Through their familiarity of the USL system and sports legal expertise, Beswicks will accelerate the opportunities for many European clubs that aspire to have a presence in North America.

Beswicks Sports Partner Simon Woodings said, “Beswicks are delighted to be working with USL – an organization that places professionalism as high in its list of priorities as we do. We believe this deal represents a great opportunity for both groups to work together for the benefit of the USL franchisees, players, UK and European clubs. The opportunities for cross pollination are endless; truly this is an exciting development.”

“Interest levels in football in North America are at an all time high. We look forward to creating opportunities and developing links between the USL and European clubs, plus attracting new investment and ideas in to a thriving marketplace.”

USL provides the largest system of elite soccer leagues in North America, which contains professional, pro-am, and youth leagues, containing over 22,000 of the elite men’s, women’s, and youth players in the U.S., Canada and Caribbean. Over 134 combined teams coast-to-coast in the USL First Division, USL Second Division, USL Premier Development League, and USL W-League this season. Within USL’s youth development academy system, the Super Y-League and Super-20 League, over 600 elite teams in the U13-U20 boys age groups in North America.

“This is sort of like putting the ‘meat on the bone’ with our international efforts,” stated USL Founder and President, Francisco Marcos. “This formalizes our efforts to advance our international efforts to. It puts a credible organization [Beswicks Sports] that has a track record in the U.K. and Europe working with us on a daily basis in developing the type of international relationships that I believe is so critical for the development of the USL system and North American players.”

This past January, Beswicks Sports played a role with USL First Division 2009 expansion franchise, the Austin Aztex. The Aztex have structured a formal affiliation partnership with the English Premier League’s Stoke City FC. Recently, Beswicks Sports has been advising Burnley FC on their affiliation opportunities in the United States, which involved a preseason tour with USL’s Carolina RailHawks and Minnesota Thunder that concluded last month.

“Beswicks are excited at working with the United Soccer Leagues and member clubs due to its growing reputation in international football and increased profile, particularly in the United Kingdom and Europe over the last twelve months,” said Beswicks Partner and Director of the USL First Division 2009 expansion franchise Austin Aztex Gary Mellor.

About Beswicks Sports
Beswicks Sports is the specialist sports law and athlete management division of Beswicks Solicitors. Our dedicated sports law team advises on the regulations and business of sport, representing clients in a number of clubs and sports venues. We also advise companies on their commercial sponsorship arrangements with the sports sector. Our sports management team handles over 100 professional footballers, international cricketers and athletes, advising on all their contractual and commercial affairs. Beswicks Sports is a Legal 500 top recommended firm for sports law in the West Midlands region. As part of a large commercial law firm we also offer clients access to a full range of legal services.

About United Soccer Leagues
As United Soccer Leagues starts its third decade of operation, soccer at all levels continues to grow in the U.S., Canada, and Caribbean. The largest organization of elite-level soccer leagues in North America, United Soccer Leagues is dedicated to growing the sport at the grassroots level in every community. The USL First Division and Second Division (North American men’s professional soccer), the USL Premier Development League (U23 North American men’s amateur), the USL W-League (North American women’s amateur), the USL Super-20 League (U20 North American men’s and women’s amateur) and the USL Super Y-League (North American boy’s and girl’s elite youth amateur) have provided a platform for thousands of players to reach their dreams since 1986. This vision and commitment to develop a soccer nation by fans, investors, administrators, coaches, and players has created the foundation for the growth of the sport, while presenting affordable, exciting family entertainment in over 100 cities and towns on the continent.