Electronic Arts announced that they have become the Vancouver Whitecaps FC s Official Videogame Partner. This puts the future MLS team alongside European clubs like Chelsea FC, Arsenal FC, and Real Madrid as partners with EA Sports.
“We’re thrilled to join Whitecaps FC as a Founding Partner, as they enter into their inaugural season in MLS,” said EA Sports Vice President and General Manager of Soccer, Matt Bilbey. “EA Sports has a long history of supporting soccer clubs internationally, and with the success of MLS, it s the perfect time to bring this support to North America at the club level. British Columbia has been home to the FIFA Soccer franchise for 18 years, and now more than 1,200 EA employees at our Burnaby studio, so we pledge our support to work with Whitecaps FC to develop soccer here in the province and inspire the youth that play this game.”
This partnership will see EA Sports’ FIFA video game advertised using Whitecaps FC, with signage, broadcast, and game applications. They will also look to make the soccer experience in the FIFA games better and to create youth development programs for soccer in Canada.
“Through innovative and interactive technology, EA Sports will bring football fans closer to the game than ever before,” said Paul Barber, chief executive officer, Whitecaps FC. “We are very pleased to welcome a global company with local roots on board especially one of EA s caliber and we look forward to working together to build excitement for the launch of Major League Soccer in Vancouver.”
