MLS Expansion Franchise Charlotte FC Announces Sponsorship Deal with Centene Corporation

The next franchise to join Major League Soccer, Charlotte FC, has announced a comprehensive sponsorship deal with a major health care company that will see the company’s logo applied to first-team and academy kits.

The deal with Centene Corporation was announced on Wednesday, Oct. 20, and includes Centene’s logo on the sleeves of first-team kits, as well as on the front of first-team training jerseys and the club’s academy team game jerseys.

“We are delighted to welcome Centene Corporation into the Charlotte FC family. This partnership underscores our shared commitment to sport, health, and wellness across Charlotte and the Carolina community. We thank Centene for their support and look forward to working together to leverage the powerful and inclusive platform of soccer to empower our communities,” Charlotte FC president Nick Kelly said on the club’s website. “The partnership will allow our Club to further engage soccer fans, while contributing to improve people’s lives through impactful community programs.”

Aside from the jerseys, Centene is also sponsoring the community seating section for CLTFC home games at Bank of America Stadium. They’ll also support the club’s community outreach initiatives, including free after-school soccer and literacy programs, the construction of new pitches in Charlotte and throughout the Carolinas, and the distribution of meals to neighbourhoods in need.

Centene is a multinational health care company based in St. Louis that offers services to 25 million people in all 50 states. Its East Coast headquarters are currently being built in Charlotte.

Charlotte FC unveiled its crest in July 2020. According to CharlotteFootballClub.com, the inspiration came from “Charlotte’s unique history as the first American city to have its own branch of the United States Mint. The blue, black and white crest is circular, in reference to the historic coins made locally.

“In the center of the crest lies a four-point crown, a nod to the Queen City moniker and the historic four wards of Uptown Charlotte.”

Graphic courtesy **CharlotteFootballClub.com**

The club’s inaugural jerseys are expected to be released in November 2021.

Charlotte FC was slated to begin play in the 2021 MLS season, but that was pushed back a year due to COVID-19. The other expansion team getting ready join the league, St. Louis CITY SC, won’t take to the pitch until 2023.

Feature photo courtesy CharlotteFootballClub.com