Latest news with #TomBraun
USA Today
20-07-2025
- Business
- USA Today
LA Galaxy executive shows how youth sports empowers you throughout life
It's not exactly a linear path to the LA Galaxy, Tom Braun will tell you. Play baseball as a kid in Houston. Get drafted by the Oakland Athletics as a pitcher. Pursue an undergraduate education and a Big East baseball career at Georgetown. Get into banking. He only moved west when his wife, Raquel, landed a job as a lawyer with Fox Sports. Tom got his MBA at the University of Southern California. Then, about a decade before he would become president of business operations and chief operating officer for one of Major League Soccer's flagship franchises in 2023, he took an unpaid internship at Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG). It led to a job in data analytics for the Galaxy and NHL's Los Angeles Kings, which AEG owns, and set him along his MLS journey. He laughs when he is asked if he imagined it would happen this way. 'You can have hope and dreams,' he tells USA TODAY Sports, 'that you can become fortunate to work for such a great company and such a great team and you work really hard, and you hope that that pans out. Luckily, I've been around really great people and I'm gonna take advantage of it.' The Galaxy have won a league-high six MLS Cup trophies, including one last season. Along the way, they averaged a near-capacity crowd at Dignity Health Sports Park on the campus of California State University, Dominguez Hills in Carson and have offered a family-friendly extravaganza. Braun, 42, has been a force behind the Galaxy's youth development programs. The Galaxy hold close to 200 classes a week. According to the team, its clinics will host more than 1,500 boys and girls this year, many of whom are new to soccer or are accessing structured play for the first time. A father of two boys (Jack, 5, and James, 2) who coaches his oldest son in the AYSO, Braun spoke with us about how his own experiences as an athlete, leader and dad can help other young athletes and their parents. His story shows how far you can go when a love for sports stirs a spirit within you that goes beyond just being a professional athlete. (Questions and responses are edited for length and clarity.) Just let them play: 'They're going to find their path' Braun started out in baseball because, like with many of us, it was the sport his dad knew best. He could play it year-round in Texas, and he learned to put everything he had into it. Realizing what it all meant, and where it might lead, though, came much later. USA TODAY: How about some general tips and observations you have for parents about getting their kids into sports and keeping them fun, not getting them so competitive so early? Tom Braun: I'm young into it and fortunately, my kids are really interested in playing sports. I think often parents think that they're gonna be a professional athlete at 5 or 6 years old and really, you just let 'em have fun. They're gonna find their path, they're gonna find what they're interested in, but I think even more at an early age, parents are looking for something to do. They're looking for an activity for their kids to do, where they can be outside or be active and sports, specifically soccer in our Galaxy Juniors program, gives parents an opportunity to put their kids in sports that they don't know if they're going to like or not like, but it's an easy sport to understand, and you can see they like it. But I wouldn't push them too hard. Let 'em enjoy it and pick what interests them as they get older. I don't think anybody can decide at 6 years old if they're gonna be a professional athlete. USAT: The most successful athletes will tell you that as kids, even in the Little League World Series, it's supposed to be just about fun as well. It's not a scouting opportunity. TB: I had a pretty good career in baseball, getting to play in college, but I actually did not start to realize I was good at baseball until I was about a junior in high school. So it takes some time to kind of develop and figure out what you're good at and what you're interested in. Our sports experiences, whenever they end, can help carry us throughout our lives Going into his senior year at Kingwood (Texas) High, Braun says, he threw hard enough that it became apparent pro baseball might be an option. The A's picked him in the 30th round of the 2001 Major League Baseball draft. He opted to pursue a business degree at Georgetown, giving him a background for what he would become. He realizes now, though, that what he accomplished on the field was at the center of that transformation, too. 'When I graduated, I worked for an investment bank for about six years,' he says. 'I ended up wanting to pursue a different passion, a passion more in sports. That's kind of where my interest lies.' USAT: Do you find just competing at the collegiate level has helped you in the real world? TB: Not a lot of people, I think, realize that being a college baseball player (is) a full-time job, being a college athlete is a full-time job, and going to school and really caring about your academics is a full-time job. I do think it makes a big difference for someone's work ethic and their passion to be able to accomplish those things and working as a team, I think it gives you a lot of characteristics and qualities that do make you better in the workforce, or to make you a better person. So, yeah, I think it's important. It also shows, I think, how you prioritize things in your life. USAT: Do you have a strategy in terms of building the right environment, interactions between parents and coaches, to kind of set the standard and expectations for the parents? TB: I think it depends on the age. If they're 2 years old, of course, the child will want to hold Mom and Dad's hand and have Mom and Dad on the field. But once they start to be about 4, we start to separate it out a little bit, where the parents aren't on the field, and the kids start to build that confidence to do things independently. And I think as it progresses, there's a different type of expectation as a kid gets older that the coach is caring for them in the right way, and that the parents are respecting the coach's ability to coach the child. We spend a lot of time making sure that the kids are cared for in the right way. Coach Steve: How do you deal with a bad coach? Here are three steps Sports can have unexpected benefits for kids Galaxy Juniors starts as early as 18 months old, and it runs through ages 6-7. As they get older, kids can graduate to MLS GO and try out for MLS NEXT, as they can in many other parts of the country. Braun remembers when he was young, it was hard to find soccer on television, and it wasn't always available to play on a team. It has exploded in popularity over MLS's 30 years of existence. 'The more accessible and inclusive it is for families, the more they fall in love with it,' he says. Since his sons were born, his perspective on what the sport can mean to a kid has dramatically changed. USAT: Could you just talk about how your youth development and training program works? TB: I'll give you a very specific, personal example of just my family and what sports meant to my now soon-to-be 6-year-old. So when my 6-year-old was 18-19 months old, he was having a hard time walking. For some reason, he just wasn't comfortable walking. And at that age, most kids are walking. We decided to try to figure out why, and eventually he started to walk. And right when he started to walk at 19 or 20 months, we put him into a Galaxy Juniors program, and we saw him go from having a hard time walking, period, to listening to coaches and following directions and moving in a way that he wasn't used to moving. He went from not walking to running and to being coordinated. And I think some of that development really had a huge impact on him and his own personal growth and his own confidence at that age. So personally, like even putting them in sports when they're that young, I think, makes a really big difference in just their confidence and their growth as a little kid. We have two facilities. One's called LA Galaxy Soccer Center. It's a 75,000-square-foot indoor facility that has five futsal and small-sided soccer courts, in Torrance, that I think, on a weekly basis, we get over 5,000 kids that go in and out of that facility just to play soccer. We also have an outdoor facility here on our campus, at Dignity Health Sports Park, called Galaxy Park, where we have a number of futsal and small-sized fields as well, where it's open to the public. And kids just come and play soccer, and they take clinics with us. They do pickup games. So it's a safe space for kids to come. Coach Steve: As MLS turns 30, where does your youth player fit into its programming? Your own professional development, and your relationship with your spouse, goes hand in hand with your kids' athletic prosperity A former colleague once told me she would wake up at 5 a.m. to have coffee and sit in the quiet of the morning to center herself before she gave her young kids her undivided attention. Just recently, a family friend of ours who is raising four active kids went back to work in an office setting after about 10 years away from it. As her children have become more self-sufficient, her new career has rejuvenated her. The process works similarly with our kids and our sports: We need to take care of ourselves as we take care of them. USAT: I know you and your wife both work, so how have you managed to juggle everything with the sports? TB: Raquel was a lawyer at Fox Sports, working on World Cups and NFL and Major League Baseball. She transitioned to (doing) talent and business development for EA Sports, the video game company, and now she's pursuing her own venture where she's a consultant. She started it with a partner. It's called Mulier Fortis, which has a heavy focus on women's sports, and the growth of women's sports. My wife and I share the responsibilities, as we should. I'm a very fortunate husband. She loves it as do my kids. And she works equally as hard as I do, if not more than I do. You have to have an understanding wife and understanding family and you gotta take advantage of those moments when you're not working to spend time with your kids. It's important to make sure you're balancing your home life and your work life. USAT: Do you have like a typical day in your life? Can you kind of detail that, or is every day completely different for you? TB: Well, I'm very much a routine guy, but every day, when I get to the office, is a little bit different. But I usually wake up between 4 and 4:30 every morning. I'll go for a jog or I'll work out. That's really my hour, hour and a half that I get to spend on my own before my kids start to wake up, usually about 6 or 6:30 my kids are getting up. I'm getting them ready for school, oftentimes taking them to school, getting their lunches prepared. And then I'm in the office, probably by 8:30 every day. And then once I get to the office, it really depends on the day, what meetings we have set up, what are the priorities? Oftentimes I'm engaging with my executive leadership team to understand what the priorities are for the day or for the week. I spend quite a bit of time understanding with my head coach (Greg Vanney) and my general manager (Will Kuntz), who I get to work with every day, what their priorities are during the week, leading up to what could be a game on the weekend. So at work, it's a little scattered but at home, it's pretty regimented. I get home about 6 every day, it's quality time with the family before bath time and bedtime, and then I usually crash myself. Steve Borelli, aka Coach Steve, has been an editor and writer with USA TODAY since 1999. He spent 10 years coaching his two sons' baseball and basketball teams. He and his wife, Colleen, are now sports parents for two high schoolers. His column is posted weekly. For his past columns, click here. Got a question for Coach Steve you want answered in a column? Email him at sborelli@
Business Wire
29-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Intermex Named Founding Partner of Dignity Health Sports Park and the Official International Remittance Partner of the LA Galaxy
LOS ANGELES & MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The reigning 2024 MLS Cup champion LA Galaxy and their home stadium, Dignity Health Sports Park (DHSP), have launched a new partnership with International Money Express, Inc. (NASDAQ: IMXI) (Intermex), a leading money remittance provider to Latin America and the Caribbean. The multiyear agreement, brokered by AEG Global Partnerships, makes Intermex the Official International Remittance Partner of the LA Galaxy and a Founding Partner of Dignity Health Sports Park, a premium and category-exclusive designation. The partnership marks the first time the team, the venue, and AEG have partnered with a brand in the international remittance category. This also represents Intermex's first official partnership in sports—making it a first-of-its-kind collaboration. 'Our partnership with the LA Galaxy and Dignity Health Sports Park is about showing up for the people who have always been at the center of this sport,' said Marcelo Theodoro, Chief Product, Marketing & Digital Officer at Intermex. 'For so many Latino families, fútbol isn't just entertainment, it's a part of who we are. This collaboration allows us to celebrate that connection in a meaningful way, both on and off the field.' Founded in 1994, around the same time as the LA Galaxy and Major League Soccer, Intermex and soccer have grown in parallel, earning trust among Latino communities in the U.S. and abroad. Headquartered in Miami, Intermex enables digital money transfers from the U.S., Canada, and Europe to more than 60 countries, with a strong focus on Latin America. The company offers a multi-channel delivery experience via its app, website, retail locations, as well as WhatsApp. Known for its human-first customer service, including Spanish-first support for underbanked and immigrant communities, Intermex has become a trusted provider for millions of Latino families. With Los Angeles being one of Intermex's most strategically important U.S. markets, the LA Galaxy presents a timely and culturally significant opportunity to deepen its ties with a region where soccer is thriving. Across the United States, especially in Southern California, soccer has emerged as one of the fastest-growing sports, driven in large part by Latino communities where the game has long served as a source of cultural pride and generational connection. More than five million Latinos call Los Angeles home, and across California, nearly 70% of MLS viewership comes from Latino fans—making the region a powerful intersection of culture, sport, and community. The agreement also extends through two of the most significant global sporting events set to take place in Los Angeles: the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, offering unmatched exposure and relevance during pivotal moments for the sport. 'We are excited to welcome Intermex to the Galaxy family,' said LA Galaxy President and Chief Operating Officer Tom Braun. 'This is a values-driven brand that understands the importance of language, culture, and legacy. Together, we're building something that resonates on and off the pitch.' As a Founding Partner of Dignity Health Sports Park, Intermex will enjoy premium brand visibility throughout the venue and will be fully integrated into the fan journey—from driveway to pitch. This includes prominent freeway marquee signage, scoreboard integrations, concourse placements, plaza wall signage, and various digital menu boards across the property. 'Intermex is a brand that truly understands the people we serve,' said Katie Pandolfo, General Manager of Dignity Health Sports Park. 'Their partnership reinforces our shared commitment to elevating the guest experience while creating lasting impact across our community.' As part of the agreement, Intermex also becomes the Presenting Partner of the LA Galaxy Soccer Center – a 73,000-square-foot facility in Torrance, California dedicated to futsal and recreational sports. Intermex's partnership will support year-round youth and adult programming at the center, helping preserve a vital hub for thousands of local families and athletes of all ages. 'Intermex is setting a new standard for what culturally relevant, community-rooted partnerships in sports can look like and achieve,' said Rashid Dadashi, Senior Director, AEG Global Partnerships. 'Soccer is central to the lives of their customers and our fans, and our collaboration provides an opportunity to engage authentically and consistently in one of their highest-priority markets. They're a brand that leads with purpose and understands the power of showing up where it matters most.' Further amplifying the cultural impact of the partnership, Intermex will be the Title Night Partner of the 2025 Mexican Heritage Night, taking place on September 20 against FC Cincinnati – one of the club's most highly anticipated cultural theme nights of the season. Additionally, Intermex will engage fans as the Presenting Partner of 'Cobi Club' – an original content series from the LA Galaxy that explores football chatter with current trends and popular culture, giving every fan – fanatics and casuals fans alike – something to enjoy. With nearly 30 years of trusted service and deep roots in Latino communities across the globe, Intermex's entry into sports sponsorship marks a new chapter in its mission to empower, connect, and uplift the people who drive its business – one built on trust, cultural alignment, and the beautiful game. ABOUT INTERMEX Founded in 1994, Intermex applies proprietary technology to enable consumers to send money from the United States, Canada, Spain, Italy, the United Kingdom, and Germany to more than 60 countries. The company facilitates digital money movement through its website and mobile app, as well as through a vast network of retail agents and company-operated stores. Headquartered in Miami, Florida, Intermex also operates international offices in Puebla, Mexico; Guatemala City, Guatemala; London, England; and Madrid, Spain. Learn more at ABOUT LA GALAXY The LA Galaxy are Major League Soccer's most successful club. Based in Carson, Calif. at Dignity Health Sports Park, the Galaxy have won the MLS Cup a record six times (2002, 2005, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2024), the MLS Supporters' Shield four times (1998, 2002, 2010, 2011) and the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup twice (2001, 2005), and one Concacaf Champions Cup (2000) since their inception in 1996. Under the direction of LA Galaxy President of Business Operations and Chief Operating Officer Tom Braun on the business operations side and LA Galaxy General Manager Will Kuntz on the soccer operations side, the Galaxy are the premier club in MLS, with stars like Landon Donovan, David Beckham, Robbie Keane, Steven Gerrard, Zlatan Ibrahimović, Javier Hernandez, Cobi Jones, Riqui Puig and Marco Reus representing LA over the team's 29 years in MLS. For more information on the LA Galaxy, visit ABOUT DIGNITY HEALTH SPORTS PARK Dignity Health Sports Park is southern California's home of world-class competition and training facilities for amateur, Olympic, collegiate and professional athletes. Managed by AEG, the $150 million, privately financed facility was developed by AEG on a 125-acre site on the campus of California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) in Carson, California. Dignity Health Sports Park features an 8,000-seat tennis stadium, a 27,000-seat stadium for soccer, football and other athletic competitions and outdoor concerts; a 2,000-seat facility for track & field and a 2,450-seat indoor Velodrome – the VELO Sports Center – for track cycling. Dignity Health Sports Park is home to Major League Soccer's LA Galaxy, the six-time MLS Cup Champions. Dignity Health Sports Park is also home of the United States Tennis Association's (USTA) High Performance Training Center and the national team training headquarters for the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF). Additionally, Dignity Health Sports Park is home to Galaxy Park, a newly imagined complex on the campus of the facility that features five 5v5 soccer fields, three futsal courts, eight Pickleball courts, four Padel courts, and is home to a number of other recreational activities. For additional information, please visit ABOUT AEG Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, AEG is the world's leading sports and live entertainment company. The company operates in the following business segments: Music through AEG Presents, which is dedicated to all aspects of live contemporary music performances, including the production and promotion of global and regional concert tours, an extensive portfolio of clubs, theaters and other music venues, concerts and special events and world-renowned festivals such as the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival; Venues and Real Estate, which develops, owns and operates world-class venues, as well as major sports and entertainment districts like Arena and L.A. LIVE, Uber Platz in Berlin and The O2 in London; Sports, as the world's largest operator of high-profile sporting events and sports franchises including the LA Kings, LA Galaxy and Eisbären Berlin; Global Partnerships, which oversees worldwide sales and servicing of sponsorships including naming rights, premium seating, and other strategic partnerships; And Ticketing, which, through its ticketing platform, provides more than 400 clients worldwide with ticketing services that cover the gamut of entertainments, including sporting events, arena tours, music clubs, festivals, rodeos and family events. Through its worldwide network of venues, portfolio of powerful sports and music brands and its integrated entertainment districts, AEG entertains more than 90 million guests annually. More information about AEG can be found at
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
SoCal Honda Dealers Named Founding Partner of Dignity Health Sports Park and Official Partner of the LA Galaxy
Multiyear Partnership Brings the Helpful Honda Spirit to Soccer Fans Across Southern California LOS ANGELES, February 21, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The reigning 2024 MLS Cup champion LA Galaxy and their home stadium, Dignity Health Sports Park (DHSP), have launched a dynamic new partnership with Southern California Honda Dealers (SoCal Honda Dealers), solidifying the brand as an Official Partner of the LA Galaxy and a Founding Partner of DHSP. The multi-year agreement, brokered by AEG Global Partnerships, strengthens local Honda dealerships' connection to Southern California and underscores the company's commitment to community engagement, youth soccer, and enhanced fan experiences. This partnership also marks the SoCal Honda Dealers first with an MLS team. For over a decade, the SoCal Honda Dealers has built its reputation across Los Angeles through its "Helpful Honda" outreach. Designed to foster goodwill and community support, the "Helpful Honda" initiative is centered around "Random Acts of Helpfulness" that make a tangible impact in people's daily lives. Whether by offering free gas, covering parking costs, or assisting local schools and small businesses, the Helpful Guys and Gals in blue are there ensuring customers receive the highest level of satisfaction and care throughout their entire vehicle ownership journey. With this new partnership, the SoCal Honda Dealers aim to bring that same helpful spirit to LA Galaxy fans in the greater Southern California region. SoCal Honda Dealers President Jeff Christoffel says, "We're proud to become a Helpful partner to the LA Galaxy. Our goal is to support the team's success and enhance the overall experience for the fans." As part of the agreement, the SoCal Honda Dealers will have a significant presence throughout DHSP, integrating seamlessly into the fan experience. This includes premium brand visibility across key locations, such as freeway marquees on I-405 and I-91, a permanent vehicle display at the stadium's northeast entrance, and prominent signage throughout the venue, including concourse, plaza wall, and scoreboard placements. Additional branding will be featured in DHSP's tennis stadium, velodrome, and across its Legends Plaza, ensuring the SoCal Honda Dealers is woven into the fabric of the venue's diverse events and activities. "We are thrilled to welcome SoCal Honda Dealers as an Official Partner of the LA Galaxy and a Founding Partner of Dignity Health Sports Park," said LA Galaxy President and Chief Operating Officer Tom Braun. "This goes beyond partnership, as their long-standing commitment to the Southern California community aligns deeply with our values. We look forward to working with them to create meaningful experiences together for our fans." As an official partner of the LA Galaxy, the SoCal Honda Dealers will be the Presenting Sponsor of the new VIP Seat Upgrade during select home games at DHSP, offering lucky fans an enhanced matchday experience. The agreement also extends across broadcast and digital channels, with Apple TV commercial spots, Spanish-language radio promotions, and LED fieldboard exposure amplifying the SoCal Honda Dealers' reach throughout the season. Beyond its presence at DHSP, the SoCal Honda Dealers will deepen its impact on the community as a Supporting Sponsor of LA Galaxy Youth Soccer Programs and the LA Galaxy Soccer Center in Torrance, CA – the team's 73,000-square-foot facility, dedicated to futsal and recreational activities. Serving as a vital hub for year-round sports programming, the facility benefits thousands of families in the region. This investment builds upon the SoCal Honda Dealers' commitment to youth sports, including ongoing partnerships with five other youth sports facilities in the region, all of which help to provide young athletes with greater access to quality training facilities and opportunities to develop their skills. "From the beginning, this partnership was a natural fit," said Rashid Dadashi, Senior Director, AEG Global Partnerships. "The SoCal Honda Dealers has consistently demonstrated a passion for making a difference in the community, and this collaboration allows them to expand their reach even further. Together, we are creating new opportunities to engage fans and give back to the Southern California region." Recognizing the critical needs of the community at this time, the SoCal Honda Dealers will also work with the LA Galaxy and the LA Galaxy Foundation, the club's charitable arm, to support wildfire relief efforts across Southern California. Through ongoing volunteer support and donations, together the partners will continue to help provide resources and aid to those affected by recent wildfires in the region. The SoCal Honda Dealers recently launched a donation drive in partnership with other local charitable organizations and will be accepting donations at any SoCal Honda dealership in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and Ventura counties through Friday, Feb. 21. The Helpful Honda Street Teams will also continue to play an active role in relief efforts, through volunteer efforts and granting Random Acts of Helpfulness wishes, reinforcing the company's ongoing commitment to making a real difference for Southern Californians. "The SoCal Honda Dealers has been a long-time supporter of grassroots sports and community-driven initiatives," said Katie Pandolfo, General Manager of Dignity Health Sports Park. "This partnership reflects a shared dedication to enhancing the soccer experience for fans at our venue and furthers our efforts to make a lasting impact in the local community." This partnership marks a new chapter in SoCal Honda Dealers' efforts to engage with Southern California communities through sports, philanthropy, and fan-focused initiatives. By bringing its Helpful Honda mission to the LA Galaxy, the brand continues to redefine what it means to be a car dealership—one that not only serves its customers but also enriches the lives of those around them. ABOUT HONDA The Southern California Honda Dealers Association (SCHDA) is a collaborative network of Honda dealerships dedicated to providing exceptional customer service and a superior automotive experience to residents across Southern California. As a key part of the group's "Helpful Honda" initiative, the association is dedicated to spreading kindness and positivity through Random Acts of Helpfulness — a program designed to make a tangible difference in local communities by offering unexpected support in everyday situations. The Helpful SoCal Honda Dealers do Random Acts of Helpfulness all around Southern California. Whether it's in the dealership or out in the community, it's their job to be helpful. And they can help you with a great deal on a Honda. To find your local dealer, visit us at ABOUT THE LA GALAXY The LA Galaxy is Major League Soccer's most successful club. Based in Carson, Calif. at Dignity Health Sports Park, the Galaxy have won the MLS Cup a record five times (2002, 2005, 2011, 2012, 2014), the MLS Supporters' Shield four times (1998, 2002, 2010, 2011) and the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup twice (2001, 2005), and one Concacaf Champions Cup (2000) since their inception in 1996. Under the direction of LA Galaxy President of Business Operations and Chief Operating Officer Tom Braun on the business operations side and LA Galaxy Head Coach and Sporting Director Greg Vanney on the soccer operations side, the Galaxy are the premier club in MLS, with stars like Landon Donovan, David Beckham, Robbie Keane, Steven Gerrard, Riqui Puig, Zlatan Ibrahimović, Javier Hernandez and Cobi Jones representing LA over the team's 28 years in MLS. For more information on the LA Galaxy, visit ABOUT AEG Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, AEG is the world's leading sports and live entertainment company. The company operates in the following business segments: Music through AEG Presents, which is dedicated to all aspects of live contemporary music performances, including the production and promotion of global and regional concert tours, an extensive portfolio of clubs, theaters and other music venues, concerts and special events and world-renowned festivals such as the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival; Venues and Real Estate, which develops, owns and operates world-class venues, as well as major sports and entertainment districts like Arena and L.A. LIVE, Uber Platz in Berlin and The O2 in London; Sports, as the world's largest operator of high-profile sporting events and sports franchises including the LA Kings, LA Galaxy and Eisbären Berlin; Global Partnerships, which oversees worldwide sales and servicing of sponsorships including naming rights, premium seating, and other strategic partnerships; And Ticketing, which provides more than 400 clients worldwide with ticketing services that cover the gamut of entertainments, including sporting events, arena tours, music clubs, festivals, rodeos and family events. Through its worldwide network of venues, portfolio of powerful sports and music brands and its integrated entertainment districts, AEG entertains more than 90 million guests annually. More information about AEG can be found at View source version on Contacts Media Contacts: Honda Omni AdvertisingElmer Soncoesonco@ LA Galaxy Jamie Alvarezjaalvarez@ AEG Global Partnerships Shannon Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Royal Bank of Canada and Subsidiary City National Bank Announce Jersey Partnership With the LA Galaxy and Founding Partnership With Dignity Health Sports Park
Multiyear agreement reinforces the banks' shared commitment to the growth of soccer and the Los Angeles community LOS ANGELES, February 13, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The reigning 2024 Major League Soccer (MLS) Cup champion LA Galaxy have launched a partnership with Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), one of the largest global financial institutions based on market capitalization, and its Los Angeles based subsidiary, City National Bank – the largest bank headquartered in Los Angeles. The multiyear agreement, brokered by AEG Global Partnerships, includes a jersey sleeve partnership with the LA Galaxy and a Founding Partnership with the Galaxy's home stadium, Dignity Health Sports Park (DHSP), a premium and category exclusive designation. Additionally, City National Bank will serve as the official bank and wealth management partner for both the LA Galaxy and DHSP. "This is a special moment for the LA Galaxy as we welcome RBC and City National Bank back into the fold during such a significant time in our club's history," said LA Galaxy President and Chief Operating Officer Tom Braun. "To have the RBC shield featured on our jerseys is a point of pride for our organization. As we celebrate our championship legacy and look to the future, this new partnership highlights a dedication to the game of soccer and to our great city." The RBC shield will be prominently featured on the right sleeve of the LA Galaxy's official primary and secondary jerseys during all matches beginning with the 2025 MLS season, which is set to kick off on Sunday, February 23. The partnership will also include expansive brand presence across DHSP and opportunities to engage fans live and on social media. The agreement further expands upon RBC Wealth Management U.S.'s existing sponsorship of MLS, a distinction that highlights its ongoing commitment to the growth of professional soccer across North America. "At RBC, we are committed to sport and to supporting initiatives that inspire connection and create meaningful opportunities in our communities," said Mary DePaoli, Chief Marketing Officer at RBC. "Partnering with the LA Galaxy allows us to participate in the rapidly growing sport of soccer while making a direct and positive impact in Los Angeles. We are proud of this partnership and look forward to helping grow and strengthen the bonds that unite communities both on and off the pitch." This partnership comes at a critical time as Los Angeles and cities across Southern California continue to recover from the devastating impact of recent wildfires. United in a shared commitment to the region, the LA Galaxy, RBC and City National Bank are dedicated to supporting recovery and rebuilding efforts. The banks will also collaborate with the LA Galaxy Foundation, the club's charitable arm, to implement ongoing community engagement programs focused on youth sports, education, and addressing the immediate and long-term needs of the recovery efforts as the situation continues to evolve. "At City National Bank, we are passionate about fostering meaningful connections within the communities we serve, and this partnership with the LA Galaxy and Dignity Health Sports Park allows us to do that with a team beloved by so many Angelenos," said Diana Rodriguez, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at City National Bank. "Through this collaboration, we aim to inspire and engage fans while making a positive impact on the local community, especially as we embark on recovery and rebuilding efforts across Los Angeles." The partnership also extends to the LA Galaxy Soccer Center, a 73,000-square-foot facility located in the heart of Torrance, California, dedicated to futsal and recreational activities. Serving as a vital hub for year-round programming, the facility benefits thousands of families in the region. City National Bank will not only have a strong presence at the center but, through this partnership, will help the LA Galaxy continue to provide a space for families and youth to come together around sports, fostering connections that help strengthen the local community during a critical time. "This is a significant partnership for our venue as we bring together two LA-rooted organizations to create meaningful impact both on and off the field," said Katie Pandolfo, General Manager, Dignity Health Sports Park. "We are excited to welcome both RBC and City National Bank to our state-of-the-art facility and look forward to the incredible opportunities this collaboration will bring to our fans and the greater Southern California community." "This partnership builds on a trusted relationship that goes back over a decade," said Nick Baker, COO, AEG Global Partnerships. "With both of our organizations deeply rooted in Los Angeles and a shared desire to foster growth and create lasting community impact, we are proud to grow and expand our collaboration with City National Bank and the Royal Bank of Canada. We look forward to a partnership that will create meaningful opportunities that benefit both the people and businesses that make this city thrive." ABOUT LA GALAXY The LA Galaxy are Major League Soccer's most successful club. Based in Carson, Calif. at Dignity Health Sports Park, the Galaxy have won the MLS Cup a record six times (2002, 2005, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2024), the MLS Supporters' Shield four times (1998, 2002, 2010, 2011) and the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup twice (2001, 2005), and one Concacaf Champions Cup (2000) since their inception in 1996. Under the direction of LA Galaxy President of Business Operations and Chief Operating Officer Tom Braun on the business operations side and LA Galaxy General Manager Will Kuntz on the soccer operations side, the Galaxy are the premier club in MLS, with stars like Landon Donovan, David Beckham, Robbie Keane, Steven Gerrard, Zlatan Ibrahimović, Javier Hernandez, Cobi Jones, Riqui Puig and Marco Reus representing LA over the team's 29 years in MLS. For more information on the LA Galaxy, visit ABOUT DIGNITY HEALTH SPORTS PARK Dignity Health Sports Park is southern California's home of world-class competition and training facilities for amateur, Olympic, collegiate and professional athletes. Managed by AEG, the $150 million, privately financed facility was developed by AEG on a 125-acre site on the campus of California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) in Carson, California. Dignity Health Sports Park features an 8,000-seat tennis stadium, a 27,000-seat stadium for soccer, football and other athletic competitions and outdoor concerts; a 2,000-seat facility for track & field and a 2,450-seat indoor Velodrome – the VELO Sports Center – for track cycling. Dignity Health Sports Park is home to Major League Soccer's LA Galaxy, the six-time MLS Cup Champions. Dignity Health Sports Park is also home of the United States Tennis Association's (USTA) High Performance Training Center and the national team training headquarters for the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF). Additionally, Dignity Health Sports Park is home to Galaxy Park, a newly imagined complex on the campus of the facility that features five 5v5 soccer fields, three futsal courts, eight Pickleball courts, four Padel courts, and is home to a number of other recreational activities. For additional information, please visit ABOUT ROYAL BANK OF CANADA Royal Bank of Canada is a global financial institution with a purpose-driven, principles-led approach to delivering leading performance. Our success comes from the 98,000+ employees who leverage their imaginations and insights to bring our vision, values and strategy to life so we can help our clients thrive and communities prosper. As Canada's biggest bank and one of the largest in the world, based on market capitalization, we have a diversified business model with a focus on innovation and providing exceptional experiences to our more than 18 million clients in Canada, the U.S. and 27 other countries. Learn more at We are proud to support a broad range of community initiatives through donations, community investments and employee volunteer activities. See how at ABOUT CITY NATIONAL BANK City National Bank, a subsidiary of Royal Bank of Canada, is the largest bank headquartered in Los Angeles with $94 billion in assets as of October 31, 2024. Founded in 1954, City National provides personalized banking, investment and trust services in select markets including Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, the San Francisco Bay Area, New York City, Nashville, Atlanta, Delaware, Las Vegas, Washington D.C. and Miami.* In addition, the company and its investment affiliates manage or administer $103 billion in client investment assets. City National is dedicated to strengthening communities, and in 2023 alone, the company made more than $11 million in charitable contributions to nonprofits that support the communities it serves. For more information about City National, visit the company's website at *City National Bank does business in Miami and the state of Florida as CN Bank. ABOUT AEG Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, AEG is the world's leading sports and live entertainment company. The company operates in the following business segments: Music through AEG Presents, which is dedicated to all aspects of live contemporary music performances, including the production and promotion of global and regional concert tours, an extensive portfolio of clubs, theaters and other music venues, concerts and special events and world-renowned festivals such as the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival; Venues and Real Estate, which develops, owns and operates world-class venues, as well as major sports and entertainment districts like Arena and L.A. LIVE, Uber Platz in Berlin and The O2 in London; Sports, as the world's largest operator of high-profile sporting events and sports franchises including the LA Kings, LA Galaxy and Eisbären Berlin; Global Partnerships, which oversees worldwide sales and servicing of sponsorships including naming rights, premium seating, and other strategic partnerships; And Ticketing, which provides more than 400 clients worldwide with ticketing services that cover the gamut of entertainments, including sporting events, arena tours, music clubs festival, rodeos and family events. Through its worldwide network of venues, portfolio of powerful sports and music brands and its integrated entertainment districts, AEG entertains more than 90 million guests annually. More information about AEG can be found at View source version on Contacts MEDIA CONTACTS LA GalaxyJamie Alvarezjaalvarez@ AEG Global PartnershipsShannon City National BankSierra RBCStephanie Sign in to access your portfolio
