Microsoft and Xbox sponsor new Seattle Sounders FC MLS team

by Dustin Burg { May 29th 2008 at 3:00PM }

Whether you call it soccer, football or "that game where people kick a ball around a large field", it isn't important. What is important is that you'll be seeing green Xbox 360 jerseys like the one pictured above on Major League Soccer (MLS) players next year, because Microsoft just announced their corporate sponsorship of a new Seattle Sounders FC team.

In a deal that has Microsoft shelling out an estimated $20 million, the Seattle Sounders FC will make their MLS debut Spring 2009 in Xbox 360 style. The team's jerseys will be plastered with Xbox 360 and Xbox Live logos across the front, which instantly makes the Seattle Sounders FC our absolute favorite MLS team evar! (Sorry Beckham and the LA Galaxy, Xbox 360 jerseys are just too cool.) And, if you're as excited as us to wear a corporate sponsored jersey of your own, be sure to add your name to their mailing list to be informed when Seattle Sounders FC apparel will be going on sale. Delectable!

[Thanks, Jason (Indiana Hoosier)]

Tags: microsoft, mls, seattle-sounders-fc, xbox-360

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

SadisticHam @ May 29th 2008 3:07PM

Could of at least done it on a popular team world wide, not to bash the Americans but football isn't the biggest sport out there, till this point I'd not even heard of them.

Makes more sense to pick out a big name team, still if it cost them $20mill for them I can't imagine how much it'd cost for the other teams.

Rasputin @ Jun 1st 2008 8:11PM

@SadisticHam-

It's an MLS soccer team. The MLS is the only league in America that allows sponsors on jerseys.

Dick @ May 29th 2008 4:22PM

FYI -this team didn't exist before now...

MS moneys clearly mattered to be the final push

Robert @ May 29th 2008 5:33PM

Well the idea of sponsoring a team or paying big contracts for big players is to try to increase the popularity of football on USA (you know foot+ball without hands), someone at MS must really love the "international football"

Pixteca @ May 29th 2008 6:41PM

@Rasputin

SaddisticHam is talking about a socccer team NOT in USA, for example Manchester United or Inter or Chelsea or Boca Juniors or any other team which will be followed internationally not JUST in the USA.

Chase @ May 29th 2008 3:11PM

"Sounders" sounds WNBA worthy. What, was Sprinkletits already taken? No, I rescind that statement: as the Seattle Sprinkletits sounds better.

bryan @ Jul 12th 2008 5:40PM

It's called that because of the Puget Sound you ignorant punk. It's all about location.

GoBob @ May 29th 2008 3:32PM

Sounders? Isn't sounding a fetish where you stick... nevermind. I prefer to not be banhammered. =P

xenocidic @ May 29th 2008 3:44PM

banhammer? i didn't know x3f banned people, at least not for gross vulgarity or incivility... maybe spamming.

GoBob @ May 29th 2008 3:50PM

True, but I'm trying to be(for some bizarre reason) courteous and not destroy anyone. =P Because yeah, sounding is the kind of thing that you hear about and grab your junk instinctively and wince.

Dustin Burg @ May 29th 2008 4:11PM

please sirs, do not tempt me or my banhammer'ing abilities ...

Ample Salty @ May 29th 2008 3:32PM

If the team is sponsored by Xbox Live does that mean any non white Americans on the team will be constantly abused?

Rell @ May 29th 2008 4:29PM

Sorre, I laughed. Really didn't want to, but I did.

ChromaTick @ May 29th 2008 3:38PM

Can hardly wait til 2009 when the team first takes the pitch.

I'll have my jersey on and be screaming for the Sounders to kick some ass.

It makes sense that Microsoft would sponsor the local Seattle team.

Deck @ May 29th 2008 4:08PM

Can't wait! w00t!

Considering I am from and live in Seattle...this is awesome for me!

I'll be getting one of these jerseys as soon as I can!

Thanks Microsoft for sponsoring an already awesome thing! Makes it only better! Seattle Sounders FC w00t!

Zac LaCombe @ May 29th 2008 6:27PM

As ridiculous as this may sound, I've been interested in the sport for the longest time, yet because I had no one to root for, I rarely made an effort to watch. Being a massive Microsoft fanboy (please God, forgive me for purchasing an iPhone), I have now had my interest piqued enough to root for this team. So...thanks Microsoft!

Magic Whiskey @ May 29th 2008 8:02PM

I'm kinda with Zac LaCombe here. I love soccer, try to catch the World Cup when I can every year and I don't have a MLS team to root for in America. Now I do! Very cool! I'm on the jersey waiting list. (I've wanted a goalie jersey for a while..maybe those will look cool!)

Cornelius @ May 29th 2008 9:05PM

Seattle Sounders have existed in 1 form or another since 1974 ... they just weren't an MLS team until this year.

West @ May 29th 2008 9:08PM

Awww...soccer? I thought these were our new Major League Gaming jerseys...someone needs to make an official "MLG" jersey...

thanatos80 @ May 30th 2008 2:01AM

Rasputin, you're incorrect on MLS being the only league in the US that allows jersey sponsors. ALL USSF affiliated mens senior leagues, outdoor AND indoor, allow jersey sponsors. As a matter of fact, MLS is the last soccer league, here, to allow it, having just started last season. Of the 35 (36, counting SEA, next year) teams in the top three divisions in the US, only 6 (1 in USL1, 5 MLS) don't have one.