With the launch of the Canadian Premier League set for the end of April, the league has announced a partnership that will help bring the game to people across the country.
A 10-year official media partnership has been struck between Mediapro B次元官网网址� a Spain-based sports broadcasting company B次元官网网址� and Canadian Soccer Business.
The company, according to a source, will be investing $200 million into CPL over the 10-year deal.
Canadian Soccer Business represents the national menB次元官网网址檚 and womenB次元官网网址檚 teams in Canada, League 1 in Ontario and CPL, which will host its inaugural game on April 27.
One of the CPL teams, Pacific FC, will be calling LangfordB次元官网网址檚 Westhills Stadium home.
Langford Mayor Stew Young said the partnership is a B次元官网网址渂ig dealB次元官网网址� and will be a great opportunity for the City of Langford as well.
READ MORE: Former VIU star Blasco heading to Pacific FC
B次元官网网址淭his is a pretty large announcement because it just shows the strength of this new league,B次元官网网址� Young said. B次元官网网址淚t puts us on the map.B次元官网网址�
Young said Langford is fortunate to be one of the seven cities that has a CPL soccer club. He said it will be a good opportunity for youths in Langford as well.
B次元官网网址淣ow they can look forward to an opportunityB次元官网网址hey can aspire to be a professional soccer player in Langford,B次元官网网址� Young said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a great opportunity for our local youths in the region to be able to play in our hometown.B次元官网网址�
Young said the city is already providing Olympic-level recreation opportunities through rugby, golf, tennis, boxing and a climbing wall that will be going up soon. Due to this, he said Langford residents can expect to see a lot more activity in the Westhills area.
The stadium will be ready for the first game, Young said, but wonB次元官网网址檛 be 100 per cent complete by April. The first game will be able to seat about 5,000 people, with phase two of the stadium projected to be complete by August.
B次元官网网址淥ur goal is just to make sure weB次元官网网址檙e prepared to host the first game and make sure that the experience for the fans is going to be amazing out there,B次元官网网址� Young said. B次元官网网址淲e know weB次元官网网址檙e under the gun for sure but it doesnB次元官网网址檛 matter, weB次元官网网址檒l make it happen.B次元官网网址�
READ MORE: Three Burnaby natives join Langford-based Pacific FC
Mediapro will have global and domestic media rights to the CPL, the Canadian Championship, home games of the Canadian menB次元官网网址檚 and womenB次元官网网址檚 teams and League 1 Ontario matches. The company will launch a channel in Canada that will be made available on all platforms and devices.
The company has been involved in the production of 16 national soccer competitions throughout Europe and produces events for the UEFA ChampionB次元官网网址檚 League, FIFA Confederations Cup, FIBA, Euroleague, FIFA World Cup, the Arab Games, the Africa Cup of Nations and Formula 1.
Media Pro also manages rights to LaLiga Santander in Spain and FranceB次元官网网址檚 Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 starting in 2020 for one year.
Young said itB次元官网网址檚 B次元官网网址渉istoricB次元官网网址� that a large company like Mediapro is recognizing soccer in Canada.
B次元官网网址淪maller countries are so far ahead of us when it comes to soccerB次元官网网址ereB次元官网网址檚 a great opportunity for us,B次元官网网址� Young said. B次元官网网址淪occerB次元官网网址檚 going to be big in Canada, Canadians just donB次元官网网址檛 know it yet.B次元官网网址�
- With files from Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press
shalu.mehta@goldstreamgazette.com
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