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UMBRO increases share of USL ownership

March 16, 2006 - USL First Division (USL-1) News Release


TAMPA, FL - United Soccer Leagues announced that majority shareholder UMBRO International Ltd has acquired an additional 30 percent share in ownership of USISL, Inc. (d/b/a USL).

"UMBRO has great confidence in the growth potential of the USL and its management," said Martin Prothero, Senior VP, Marketing & International for UMBRO International and Chairman of the USL Board of Directors. "As a brand whose only interests lie in the sport of soccer, this investment ensures UMBRO's position is retained at the heart of the sport in North America which we see as being increasingly important from an earnings perspective."

"We look forward to working closer in the future with all stakeholders in the league to the benefit of all involved," added Prothero.

The acquisition of the 30 percent previously held by Varsity Spirit brings UMBRO International's share to 94 percent with the remaining six percent being held by founder and President Francisco Marcos.

"We are excited about UMBRO's increased investment in USL, and in turn North American soccer," said Marcos. "UMBRO has been a longstanding, tremendous partner for over 10 years now and their increased commitment strengthens our resolve to continue our work in developing players, clubs and our soccer nations."

Umbro, one of the world's leading international brands of soccer uniforms, footwear, equipment and soccer-related apparel, was founded in 1924. UMBRO currently supplies playing and training kit to the England National Team and UMBRO's relevant international licensees currently supply playing and training kit to the national teams of the Republic of Ireland, Sweden and Norway. UMBRO and its relevant international licensees currently supply kit to leading professional clubs worldwide, including Olympique Lyonnais (France), FC Santos (Brazil), Olympiakos (Greece), Shanghai Shenhua (China) and Chelsea (England). The UMBRO brand is also endorsed by high profile individual players including Michael Owen, Michel Salgado, Deco and Alan Shearer.

UMBRO recently expanded its relationship with the English FA in a series of agreements that extends its contract as the official kit and football supplier to the FA to 2014, makes UMBRO one of four Founding Partners of the new Wembley Stadium, and makes UMBRO the title sponsor of the National Football Centre.

"We would like to thank everyone at Varsity Spirit for what they have done, especially Ian McLaren and Jeff Webb, who have served on our Board of Directors for many years," said USL Vice President Tim Holt. "USL would not have advanced to its current stature as a leader in the development of American and Canadian soccer without the support of Varsity Spirit and the continued commitment of UMBRO."

US Soccer AGM Round-Up

Marcos re-elected to Foundation Board, candidate for USSF BOD;

Clamp & Holt honored by USASA

TAMPA, FL - United Soccer Leagues founder and President Francisco Marcos was re-elected to the US Soccer Foundation's Board of Directors at the US Soccer Annual General Meeting in Las Vegas this past weekend and is a candidate for election to the newly-organized US Soccer Board of Directors, which he has served on since 1993.

"I am looking forward to the opportunity to continue to serve the interests of American soccer by bringing my 30-plus years of experience and background at every level of the game in the US for men, women, youth, pro, amateur, outdoor and indoor," said Marcos. "I feel my unique range of knowledge of the game in the US and abroad has been a useful ingredient in the development of this soccer nation."

The US Soccer AGM was highly eventful with the election of a new president and significant changes in the structure of the Board of Directors.

US Soccer's membership elected long-time US Soccer executive Sunil Gulati as President of the US Soccer Federation by unanimous consent. Gulati succeeds Dr. S. Robert Contiguglia, stepping down after two successful four-year terms. Gulati, who ran unopposed in the election, has served as US Soccer's vice president since 2000.

US Adult Soccer Association (USASA) President Mike Edwards of New Mexico steps into the Executive Vice President position, where he will serve the remaining two years on Gulati's vice presidential term.

At the National Council meeting, US Soccer's membership approved the reduction of the organization's Board of Directors from 40 to 15. The new Board of Directors will include the President, Vice President, three athlete representatives and two representatives from each of the Adult, Pro and Youth councils. The newly-shaped Board will also include three outside directors serving two year terms (with the current Treasurer fulfilling one of those positions until the conclusion of his current term in 2008). A final position on the Board will be filled by an "at large" representative as voted on by organizational members. Additionally, the immediate past president will serve as a non-voting member.

"It was very difficult for many of us to step down in this re-organization process after being important members of the soccer community, but we took one for the team," said Marcos. "I truly believe this smaller board with Sunil at the helm will take US Soccer to the next plateau and I hope to again be a part of that should I be elected onto the Board once again."

Marcos was re-elected to the Board of Directors for the US Soccer Foundation, the major charitable arm of soccer in the United States, along with Charles Marshall and Janusz Michallik.

USASA honors USL's Clamp and Holt

The US Adult Soccer Association honored USL Vice President Tim Holt and USL Director of PDL Operations Steve Clamp for USL's continued efforts to bridge the gap between the youth and professional ranks through the Premier Development League and W-League, which are member leagues of the USASA.

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