BURNABY, BC – Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) and BC Soccer, in conjunction with Vancouver Whitecaps FC, today announced EA SPORTS™ as title sponsor of the newly-formed EA SPORTS BC Soccer Premier League.
“EA SPORTS is a great partner that supports the development of our sport at all levels,” said Whitecaps FC chief executive officer Paul Barber. “We are pleased to help bring together EA SPORTS and BC Soccer. Combined, we’ll form an integrated team that will collaborate to create the most effective soccer development programs in Canada.”
Through this partnership, EA SPORTS will provide venue, brand and technological support to the Premier League, including access to facilities at their EA Canada campus in Burnaby. In addition, EA SPORTS will work together with BC Soccer and the Premier League to engage stakeholders and continue the growth of soccer throughout British Columbia.
“The game of soccer is woven into the fabric of our studio and our team,” said Matt Bilbey, Vice President and GM of Soccer, EA SPORTS. “Through our relationship with BC Soccer and Vancouver Whitecaps FC, we will be able to share our passion for the sport and inspire the youth that play in British Columbia.”
The EA SPORTS BC Soccer Premier League will support player development through increased competition for top soccer athletes. Eight founding franchises representing more than 80 per cent of the BC population were announced last month. The first full season of competition will begin in March 2012, and will feature divisions at the U-13, U-14, U-15, U-16, and U-17/U-18 levels. Competition will continue through November. In fall 2011, a “mini-season” will run from September through November to prepare for the full season commencing in March 2012. Details about the fall 2011 schedule will be released in the coming months.
“We are looking forward to building the EA SPORTS BC Soccer Premier League in partnership with Vancouver Whitecaps FC, our founding franchises, and, indeed, all members of the BC soccer community,” said Steve Allen, BC Soccer Director and Chair of the BCSPL Committee.
“EA SPORTS has a long track record of successful product launches, unparalleled growth, and like BC Soccer, believes in the universal passion of our global game. We couldn’t ask for better partners to help us get this new league off the ground,” added BC Soccer executive director Bjorn Osieck.
Whitecaps available in FIFA Soccer 11
EA SPORTS also announced that beginning today, Vancouver Whitecaps FC are available to play in FIFA Soccer 11 on the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system through a special free* download for connected gamers. This enables fans to play with the Whitecaps before the team steps onto the pitch for its inaugural MLS game against Toronto FC.
“This special download is another way that Whitecaps fans are being brought closer to the team and the sport,” said Bilbey. “Now fans can connect with the millions of players online and put Whitecaps FC up against any of the more than 500 teams in FIFA 11.”
Whitecaps FC players were on hand at the EA SPORTS campus in Burnaby, BC, on Friday to partake in 3D player head scanning for inclusion in FIFA Soccer 12.
Visit ea.com/soccer for more information about FIFA Soccer 11, join more than 2 million other fans in the EA SPORTS FIFA community at facebook.com/easportsfifa or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/easportsfifa.
*Internet connection and EA account registration required.
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About Electronic Arts
EA SPORTS is one of the leading sports entertainment brands in the world, with top-selling videogame franchises, award-winning interactive technology, global videogame competitions and breakthrough digital experiences. EA SPORTS delivers personal access to the emotion of sports through industry-leading sports simulation videogames, including Madden NFL football, FIFA Soccer, NHL® hockey, NBA Elite basketball, NCAA® Football, Fight Night boxing, EA SPORTS MMA, Tiger Woods PGA TOUR® golf, and EA SPORTS Active.
Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is a leading global interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, the Company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for video game systems, personal computers, wireless devices and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand names: EA SPORTS™, EA™, EA Mobile™ and POGO™. In fiscal 2010, EA posted GAAP net revenue of $3.7 billion and had 27 titles that sold more than one million units. EA's homepage and online game site is www.ea.com. More information about EA's products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at info.ea.com.
EA, EA SPORTS, EA SPORTS Active, EA Mobile and POGO are trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. Official FIFA licensed product ' © The FIFA brand OLP logo is a copyright and trademark of FIFA. All rights reserved.' Manufactured under licenese by Electronic Arts Inc. Player names and likenesses used under license from FIFA, International Federation of Professional Footballers "(FIFPro)" and national teams. John Madden, NFL, FIFA, NHL, NBA, NCAA, Tiger Woods and PGA TOUR are trademarks of their respective owners and used with permission. “PlayStation” is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Xbox 360 is a trademark of the Microsoft group of companies. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
About BC Soccer
BC Soccer is the provincial sport governing body responsible for the promotion and development of the game in British Columbia. The professional not-for-profit society is committed to developing the game by inspiring British Columbians to lifelong active, inclusive and team play. Its vision is to pursue Canada's foremost integrated soccer development system built upon club, school, varsity and professional team excellence.
BC Soccer is comprised of 150 member Clubs, Districts and Leagues, spanning more than 120,000 registered players, over 2,500 referees, and thousands of coaches and other volunteer administrators and soccer leaders. Working with these member Clubs, Districts and Leagues, BC Soccer will operate under the guiding principles of Professional Leadership, Passionate Service and Progressive Collaboration. In managing its relationships throughout the larger soccer community, BC Soccer will promote the integral soccer values of authenticity, unity and integrity.
About Vancouver Whitecaps FC
In 1974, Vancouver Whitecaps FC played their inaugural season in the North American Soccer League, and in 1979, the club won the NASL Soccer Bowl championship. From 1987 to 1992, as a member of the Canadian Soccer League, Vancouver won four straight CSL titles. In 2002, Whitecaps FC created a full club model that encompasses professional teams for men and women, extensive youth development and grassroots participation programs, facility development, and the Whitecaps Foundation to support specific initiatives related to health and wellness through soccer. Since 2004, Whitecaps FC have won two United Soccer Leagues First Division championships and two USL W-League championships. In 2011, Whitecaps FC will begin their inaugural season in Major League Soccer at Empire Field before moving into the new BC Place Stadium in downtown Vancouver in early October. For additional information on Vancouver Whitecaps FC, visit whitecapsfc.com.
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