AUSTIN, Texas — They may be known for their coolers, but now, they'll also be known for being part of the soccer community in Austin.
Austin's incoming MLS team, Austin FC, announced Monday morning from downtown that Austin-based YETI will be the team's official jersey sponsor.
Austin FC said it will release two jerseys with YETI integration ahead of the club’s inaugural 2021 season, including the first jersey design, which is slated for release during the 2020 holiday season and a second jersey design that is targeted for release in early 2021.
“YETI has established itself as an Austin icon,” said Andy Loughnane, president of Austin FC. “YETI is an internationally acclaimed brand with passionate supporters who lead active lifestyles and embody the creative energy often found in our sport and widely found in Austin, and Austin FC is elated to begin our journey in MLS alongside an Austin legend.”
The agreement will also feature YETI as a presenting sponsor of Austin FC’s sustainability efforts.
“We’re incredibly grateful for the support that Austin has provided to YETI since our founding, and we’re thrilled to return the favor to our community by partnering with Austin FC as they make their Major League Soccer debut,” said Matt Reintjes, president and CEO at YETI.
Reintjes briefly spoke on the history of starting the company in Austin, and going to talk about how its grassroots start is why Austin FC is such a good fit for them.
“It started here in Austin, Texas, around 2006 and we’re a brand that was built and born here," said Reintjes. "The way they were building grassroots community and the way they were engaging with their brand – part of our hometown and part of our fabric."
The team originally posted a cryptic tweet referencing the announcement on Sunday evening.
"Tune in tomorrow for a big announcement – live from downtown Austin at 11am CT 📣," the tweet said.
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KVUE's Luis de Leon attended the announcement and posted updates throughout the day about the announcement from his Twitter page.
UT alum and Austin FC co-owner Matthew McConaughey was in attendance for the announcement as well.
In addition to being named official jersey partner of Austin FC and a founding partner of Austin FC Stadium, YETI will receive designation as official and exclusive outdoor partner of Austin FC, official and exclusive drinkware partner of Austin FC, and official and exclusive cooler partner of Austin FC, the team said in a press release.
The announcement comes as Austin FC has made significant progress on its stadium construction, which the team also tweeted a time lapse video of on Sunday.
The team gave a quick tease about the YETI announcement in another timelapse video of a foosball table donning the Austin FC logo as well as the YETI logo.
"Mornin' Austin," the team's tweet read.
Austin FC is expected to make its MLS debut in the 2021 season.
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