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12th February 2025
10:00am GMT
The chances of a Champions League final in the USA have taken a huge leap forward.
UEFA and the European Club Association - known as UC3 - have decided to cut ties with their long-term marketing partner, Team Marketing.
The Swiss-based company created the current Champions League logo and have been instrumental in building the competition since its rebranding from the European Cup in 1992.
UC3 have now entered into a six-year deal with New York company Relevant Sports.
In a statement, they said: "The Board of UC3, the joint venture between Uefa and the European Club Association (ECA) has agreed to enter into an exclusive period of negotiation with Relevent Sports over the global commercial rights to the Uefa men's club competitions for the period 2027-2033.
“The decision follows an open tender process, launched last summer, which attracted bids from a number of global and regional agencies."
The idea bringing the Champions League to the USA has long been mooted.
UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin said back in 2016: “I think it might be an idea in the future but we have to speak about it.
“To go from Portugal to Azerbaijan, for example, is almost the same as if you go to New York. For the fans it’s no problem.”
There were further reports in 2022 that strides were being made to make this happen.
NFL games moving outside the USA has dominated headlines in recent weeks, with Croke Park announced as a venue for next season, but now the prospect of Europe bringing its flagship annual event across the pond is looking like a real possibility.
With the success of the MLS and the presence of the likes of Messi and Luis Suarez in the league, there is certainly an appetite for soccer.
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