TikTok announced a multi-year partnership with the Portland Timbers and Portland Thorns FC. TikTok users will be able to connect with the soccer teams with special content, in-stadium features and player appearances.
Also, TikTok will be the official “jersey sleeve partner” for the teams this year. Look for the TikTok logo on the right sleeve of Timbers and Thorns FC kits worn in-game. Expect to see the logo on authentic jerseys and other retail merch.
The company says this is the first ever joint patch sponsorship of a pro men’s and women’s soccer team in the United States. The social app says they are proud to be partnering with two best-in-class soccer teams. And giving female players the “equal representation and recognition they deserve.”
Soccer is Huge on TikTok
There have been over 40 billion views on the #soccer hashtag on TikTok. Also, 80 billion views on the #football hashtag for European fans.
The short-form mobile video app has also been announced as a Global Sponsor of UEFA EURO 2020. This is the first time a digital entertainment platform has sponsored a major international tournament for UEFA and represents an exciting step for both TikTok and UEFA, bringing a new kind of partner to UEFA EURO 2020.
“TikTok is one of the world’s leading content and entertainment platforms and we are thrilled to be partnering with such a dynamic global brand. The partnership is groundbreaking to have equal TikTok representation on both Timbers and Thorns jersey sleeves, and it will give us a unique ability to create and distribute content in collaboration with TikTok. We are very proud that TikTok chose our clubs as two of their first team sponsorship deals in the US.”
Mike Golub, Timbers and Thorns president of business
New Jersey Unveil
The new Portland Timbers and Thorns FC jerseys will be shown first on TikTok today. Their TikTok channels are @timbersfc and @thornsfc.
“We are delighted to partner with two world-class soccer teams that are leaders in their communities both on and off the field. We strongly feel that gender equity in sports is crucial to changing perceptions and progressing for the better as a society. The Portland Timbers and Thorns share this belief, and we are proud that our first soccer team partnership in the US places an equal emphasis on female athletes.” –
Harish Sarma, Director, Global Strategic Partnerships, Americas and Oceania, TikTok
TikTok & Sports
This is the second big sports deal for the social app in the past week. TikTok formed a partnership with the UFC last week. That deal will also yield tons of exclusive content for fans of the mixed martial arts organization. UFC is the third most-followed sports league on TikTok with 6.3 million followers.
