CARY, N.C. (May 7, 2024) — The North Carolina Football Club has partnered with Playfly Sports, a full-service, integrated sports marketing and media agency. The one-year partnership, which began this March, empowers Playfly Sports to represent the North Carolina Courage and North Carolina FC in outreach and engagement with potential corporate partners.
Playfly Sports will serve as an extension of — and collaborator with — the club’s in-house corporate partnership sales team to provide end-to-end support. Playfly Sports will provide valuation and identification of assets, partner prospecting and outreach, contract negotiation, and finalization.
Playfly Sports will sell major Courage and NCFC partnership packages, including kit assets, venue naming rights, in-stadium branding opportunities, and more, to blue-chip prospects throughout its vast network.
“Our brand’s significance, alongside the rise of soccer in America, has reached unprecedented heights, reflecting our sport’s remarkable momentum. Seizing upon this trend is paramount for the expansion of our organization. Teaming up with Playfly Sports, an agency renowned for its expertise and extensive connections, marks a pivotal step toward our aspirations. By teaming up Playfly with our great sales team, we are poised to elevate our efforts and attract the resources needed to provide a world-class experience for our players, technical staff, and supporters,” stated Ralph Vuono, COO of the club.
“Playfly Premier is honored to work alongside the team at North Carolina FC and North Carolina Courage in support of Steve Malik’s vision to positively impact the North Carolina community through the sport of soccer,” said Ryan Smith, Senior Vice President of Playfly Premier. “The NWSL and USL have proven themselves to be among the most innovative and fan friendly leagues in U.S. sports, and we look forward to helping create meaningful partnerships with local, regional and national brands who recognize soccer’s undeniable power to engage consumers of all ages, races and genders. There is no question the future of soccer in North Carolina is extremely bright.”
Playfly Sports have a proven track record in crafting and executing sales packages for venue naming rights, ticketing, hospitality, events, and brand consulting. They have partnered with other North Carolina entities including the Carolina Hurricanes, Charlotte Hornets, Duke’s Mayo Bowl, and the Atlantic Coast Conference. On a national scale, Playfly Sports works with various professional sports teams and leagues, Power 5 schools, and college conferences across the country.
ABOUT NORTH CAROLINA FC
North Carolina FC returns to play in the United Soccer League (USL) Championship (USSF Division II) in 2024. North Carolina FC enters its 18th season of competition in 2024, having played in several professional leagues as both North Carolina FC and the Carolina RailHawks. The team won the NASL (USSF Division II) regular season championship in 2011 and 2013 and won the USL League One (USSF Division III) Championship in 2023. Steve Malik purchased the team in 2015 and has been the majority owner ever since. Follow North Carolina FC on the web at www.northcarolinafc.com and on social media @NorthCarolinaFC.
ABOUT THE NORTH CAROLINA COURAGE
The North Carolina Courage begin their eighth season of competition in 2024 since beginning play in the National Women’s Soccer League (USSF Division I) in 2017. The Courage were formed after Steve Malik purchased the Western New York Flash and relocated the franchise to Cary, North Carolina, and play their home games at WakeMed Soccer Park. The Courage are the winningest club in NWSL history, claiming seven league trophies as three-time NWSL Shield winners (2017, 2018, 2019), two-time NWSL Champions (2018, 2019), and two-time UKG NWSL Challenge Cup champions (2022, 2023). The Courage also won the 2018 ICC Championship. Follow the Courage on the web at www.nccourage.com and on social media @TheNCCourage.
ABOUT PLAYFLY SPORTS
Playfly Sports is a sports media, marketing and technology business centered around the team, league, brand, and network. Believing in ‘Fandom as a Service’ and focusing on a consultative, data driven approach to REACH, ENGAGE, MONETIZE AND MEASURE FANDOM gives the company’s partners and brands a competitive advantage. Playfly connects more than 2,000 brand partners with approximately 83% of all U.S. sports fans. Through the proprietary platform the business delivers scalable, data-oriented marketing, technology, and media solutions with capabilities including exclusive MMR management, sponsorship sales and activation, streaming, consulting, ticket/premium sales, all along with new revenue-driving platforms and technologies. Founded in September of 2020, Playfly Sports is now home to approximately 1,000 team members located across 43 U.S. states dedicated to maximizing the impact of highly passionate local sports fans. Follow Playfly Sports on social media @PlayflySports or visit www.playfly.com.
