The Chicago Fire Soccer Club announced a multi-year partnership with Valspar Corporation, a global leader in the coatings industry, which will be the organization’s new jersey partner beginning in 2016. The partnership includes branding on all Club jerseys, as well as integration into a host of fan and community-based initiatives. Valspar will also serve as the ‘Official Paint of the Chicago Fire.’

“Valspar is a globally recognizable organization with Chicago ties and it was important for us to find a jersey partner that embodies the core values of our Club,” said Chicago Fire Chief Operating Officer Atul Khosla. “The company shares our sense of passion and inclusiveness, and it is an honor for us to place its logo alongside our badge. A collective commitment to our fans and community was also an important feature of the partnership, and we look forward to working with Valspar in the coming years.”

“Valspar is honored to partner with the Chicago Fire, which presents a wonderful opportunity to engage the local community, but also offers us international visibility thanks to soccer’s incredible global presence” said Valspar Vice President and General Manager of North American Consumer Products Aaron Erter. “Major League Soccer’s popularity continues to grow by leaps and bounds. We’re thrilled to be part of the Fire Family and look forward to the collaborative efforts ahead.”

Additional partnership highlights include:

•  Valspar logo will adorn jerseys worn by the first team, all nine Academy teams and 15,000 Fire Juniors players
•  Valspar will support all Soccer in the Community initiatives, including all camps, clinics and appearances that total more than 20,000 touch points each season
•  Valspar will receive entitlement of the stadium’s stage for home games beginning next season
•  Valspar will become a Cornerstone Partner at The PrivateBank Fire Pitch, the Fire’s new, $20m soccer facility on Chicago’s North Side
•  Valspar will support the award-winning Chicago Fire Foundation and its P.L.A.Y.S. program, which serves more than 500 at-risk children annually

As a paint and coatings company, Valspar is keenly aware of the color and traditions that are so much a part of soccer culture. With that in mind, it has identified an opportunity to provide supplies for supporter group TIFO builds. It will also team up with Fire staff, players, supporters and community to paint one mural in a Chicago neighborhood each season of the partnership.

“We take pride in working with our partners to help improve the local community,” said Erter. “Through our work with the Chicago Fire, we hope to enhance the spirited and inclusive nature of the soccer community and support valuable, philanthropic activities that are so much a part of that culture.”

In the coming months, the Fire and Valspar will jointly announce opportunities to celebrate the new primary kit for 2016, as well as public opportunities to participate in partnership initiatives.