Sun Country Airlines and Major League Soccer Sign New Five-Year Charter Contract. MINNEAPOLIS, Oct. 27, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sun Country Airlines (NASDAQ: SNCY) today announced a new five-year agreement to provide charter service to all Major League Soccer (MLS) teams.

MLS 2023 official sponsors

Official MLS Partners

• adidas.
• Allstate.
• Apple.
• AT&T.
• Audi.
• Avant.
• BODYARMOR.
• Campbell Snacks.

In contrast, other high-level sports teams are allowed the convenience and luxury of chartered flights for their games. MLS teams were each permitted four individual privately chartered legs (two matches if the service is roundtrip) for a whole season, but players and coaches grew increasingly upset with such rules.

But in MLS the manner of travel rather than the travel itself has become a talking point. While NBA, NHL, MLB and NFL players journey cross-country in comfort and luxury on private jets and charter flights, MLS's stars are more often than not forced to fly commercially, complete with layovers and connecting flights.

Most MLS jersey sponsorships range from $3 million to $5 million per year. In 2022, New York City FC had the biggest jersey deal, worth $9 million from Etihad Airways. Charlotte FC (Ally) and LA Galaxy (Herbalife) also have agreements worth at least $7 million annually.

An IEG report has found that the MLS generated a total sponsorship revenue of $680 million in the 2022 season, putting it just $70 million short of the $750 million generated by the NHL.

MLS and adidas began their relationship at the League's inception in 1996. adidas' commitment to growing the game has established the brand as the biggest name in soccer in the world. The partnership with MLS is part of adidas global soccer footprint, which includes some of the most legendary clubs in Europe.

As of the 2023 season, Apple Inc. is the primary global rights holder and streams every regular season and playoff match on MLS Season Pass – a new service on the Apple TV app. Some matches will also be broadcast on television via Fox Sports in the United States, and Bell Media (via TSN and RDS) in Canada.

For example, a $500 million expansion fee instantly makes San Diego's MLS team more valuable than Premier League clubs like Newcastle United ($440 million), Leeds United ($380 million), Aston Villa ($370 million), and Crystal Palace ($335 million) - despite San Diego not having its own stadium or ever playing a ...

U.S.-based Clubs: For U.S. Clubs, a domestic player is either a U.S. citizen, a permanent resident (i.e., green card holder), or the holder of a certain other special status (for example, has been granted refugee or asylum status).

Realistically if a player has not played professionally before they are unlikely to get signed directly to an MLS side unless they have an outstanding display at an open tryout.