USA : Dick's Sporting to run television spots throughout soccer season

After a week of celebratory grand-opening events, Dick's Sporting Goods Park -- the world's largest professional soccer stadium & field complex -- is set to open its mammoth doors to the public, just in time for the main event.

This Saturday, April 7th, at 3:30 p.m. (EDT), the Colorado Rapids will take on D.C. United in the opening game of the 2007 MLS season, as well as the inaugural event of the complex, a match to be televised nationally on ABC Sports.

Once open, the 18,000-seat outdoor stadium and 24 full-sized outdoor fields located in Commerce City, Colorado will be the home of the MLS Colorado Rapids, Colorado Youth Soccer and NDP Lacrosse, as well as play host to a number of other sports teams, special events and concerts.

In November 2006, Dick's Sporting Goods, the No.1 sporting goods retailer in the nation, signed a 20-year naming rights agreement with Kroenke Sports Enterprises (KSE), the owner and operator of the park.

"The opening of Dick's Sporting Goods Park marks another key element of our overall commitment to the growth of soccer in America, from youth soccer to pro," said Jeffrey R. Hennion, Senior Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer of Dick's Sporting Goods.

"This, along with our MLS sponsorship, the Dick's Sporting Goods Halftime Report, our television soccer ad campaign and our strengthened in-store assortment of soccer products, reflects this company's dedication to the sport and very strong belief that, in the United States, soccer's time has come."
Dick's Sporting Goods is the Official Sporting Goods Retailer of Major League Soccer. The Dick's Sporting Goods Halftime Report, featuring game highlights, scores and soccer news from around the world, will be the centerpiece of 42 Major League Soccer and United States Soccer games broadcast on ESPN and ABC this season.

Also, Dick's Sporting Goods will run television spots throughout the soccer season focusing on soccer's worldwide tradition and its recent stepping out from the shadows and into the American spotlight.

Other highlights on this year's calendar for Dick's Sporting Goods Park include the 2007 MLS All-Star Game on Thursday, July 19th, and the Flip Flop Summer Tour, the park's inaugural concert featuring Kenny Chesney, the Academy of Country Music's Entertainer of the Year in 2004 and 2006, on Saturday, June 30.