Trending Stories –?April 10, 2024

SPONSORSHIP:?United Soccer League (USL)?announced a multiyear partnership?with Prinx Tires. The California-based global tire manufacturer becomes the league's first-ever official tire partner. The partnership will?celebrate high-level performance, including naming rights to, among other things, the standings across all three of USL's professional leagues and an "MVP" for each nationally televised game.

BROADCAST:?Just ahead of the Premier League's Fan Fest in Nashville (more on that next week), NBC Sports' Sunday, March 31 broadcast of Manchester City vs. Arsenal garnered the?most-ever viewers for a PL game?in U.S. history. The broadcast averaged 2.12 million English-language viewers on NBC, Peacock, and NBC Sports Digital, surpassing the Liverpool vs. Arsenal game from December 2023.

ATTENDANCE:?Speaking of records, another was set in the U.S. Women's National Team's first game of the SheBelieves Cup.?50,644 fans attended the USWNT?gameversus Japan this past Saturday?at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, setting a record for the largest crowd for a USWNT friendly in the U.S.HOSTING:?The Chicago Red Stars?announced they'll be hosting an?NWSL game at the Cubs' Wrigley Field?on June 8. When visitors Bay FC heads to Chicago, they won't make their way to?SeatGeek Stadium. Instead, they'll make their way to the "Friendly Confines." Why Wrigley? Team majority owner Laura Ricketts, of the Ricketts family – owners of the Cubs, wants to make the Red Stars?more accessible to the city's fans.

TST:?Announcements of new teams for this summer's TST 7v7 tournament?continue to roll in. Most recently, Burnley announced?JJ and Kealia Watt will headline the club's entries?in the men's and women's competitions. Additionally, TV personality and former NFL player, Pat McAfee,?announced he will also enter a team?coached by U.S. Soccer legend, Tony Meola.

ENTERTAINMENT:?Two entertainment stories for you this week, as soccer continues its inroads in pop culture. First, Yahoo Movies wonders if a team in Scotland is?next to follow in the path of Wrexham, as a former Netflix employee appears set to acquire a stake in Motherwell. The second story is for the reality dating show?fans. Peacock will?debut a new show, Lover Undercover, on May 9. The show will feature five former soccer players, including Marco Fabián and Ryan Babel, going undercover and looking to find love. Yes, you read that right –?here's the trailer?for more juicy detail.

EXTRA TIME:?Closing out this week's newsletter with a duo of stories highlighting the brands and people impacting soccer's growth. First,?AdWeek (paywall)?discusses the impact?made by?brands like Ally and Visa on women's sports and soccer in particular. Second, Forbes has?profiled Jorge Mas, the billionaire owner of Inter Miami who helped convince Lionel Messi to join his team and MLS.