Print page
Email page
Download PDF
« Previous Release | Next Release »
HERNDON, Va., Apr 01, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- RCN Corporation (NASDAQ: RCNI), a leading provider of video, data, and voice services to residential, business and commercial/carrier customers announced today that it will be a 2008 Official Sponsor and Corporate Partner of Washington's Major League Soccer team, D.C. United.
"We're pleased that RCN once again will be an official sponsor and corporate partner," said Stephen Zack, D.C. United Executive Vice President. "RCN proved to be a valuable partner last year and we look forward to working with them again this season."
As an official sponsor and corporate partner, RCN will also have the right to incorporate the D.C. United team name and logo into all advertising, promotions, broadcast, and print materials. In addition, an upcoming match will feature RCN Night.
"Our company launched in 1996, the same year as D.C. United's and Major League Soccer's inaugural season," said RCN Washington's Vice President and General Manager Don Channell. "Thus, we like to think we share a special bond with D.C. United. As the first local triple play competitor of phone, cable and internet services, our goal is to champion competition at all levels so we are very proud and supportive of what the Black-and-Red have accomplished on the pitch, as well as in the community."
RCN will be the Presenting Sponsor of the Fair Play Program. Before each D.C. United home match, five local youth soccer teams will be recognized as the RCN Fair Play Teams of the Game. The teams will be on the field for the National Anthem and pre-game introductions.
Channell added that one of the most appealing features of the D.C. United sponsorship package is the opportunity to sponsor youth programs and local soccer clinics and tournaments.
RCN is also a presenting sponsor of the team's Community Soccer Series, which consists of five youth soccer clinics led by D.C. United players in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. Each clinic is open to the public free of charge and can accommodate up to 200 participants.
The company will also be a sponsor of D.C. United's Premier Youth Soccer Tournament Series. The 2008 Premier Youth Soccer Tournament Series features the Al Dougherty Memorial Tournament, hosted by the Braddock Road Youth Club, in June, the Independence Cup, hosted by the VISTA Soccer Club, in July, and the Dulles National Soccer Tournament, hosted by Herndon Youth Soccer, in August.
In addition, RCN will sponsor the prestigious SUPER COPA DE D.C. UNITED tournament, an 11v11, single elimination outdoor soccer tourney consisting of 16 elite DC-area Hispanic men's soccer teams. The tournament would be held on Saturdays at the RFK Stadium Auxiliary Field.
"The Hispanic community is very important to RCN. We are the first company to offer a Hispanic themed a la carte tier for cable TV programming, called 'MiVision,' and we continue to look at adding additional international programs. We also offer a "MiTelefono" telecom rate plan for discounted calls to Latin America," said RCN Strategic, External Affairs & Programming Senior Vice President Richard Ramlall. "This sponsorship and partnership continues to bring added benefits to our customers as well as to the communities where we work and live."
About RCN Corporation
RCN (www.rcn.com) is a broadband, facilities-based competitive telecommunications provider delivering video, high-speed data, and voice services primarily to residential and small-medium business customers under the brand names of RCN and RCN Business Services, respectively. In addition, RCN also delivers on-net fiber-based high-capacity data transport and voice services to large commercial customers, primarily enterprises and carriers. This commercial business unit operates under the name RCN Metro Optical Networks and targets metropolitan central business districts. RCN constructs, operates, and manages its own networks primarily in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states and the Chicago area. The main metro and suburban areas where it operates include: Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley, New York City, Boston, and Chicago. (RCNI-G)
About D.C. United
Headquartered in Washington, DC and playing home matches at RFK Stadium, D.C. United is the most successful professional soccer organization in the history of the United States. United is four-time MLS Cup Champions (1996, 1997, 1999 and 2004) and winners of the 1996 U.S. Open Cup, the 1998 CONCACAF Champions Cup, the 1998 Interamerican Cup and the 1997, 1999, 2006 and 2007 MLS Supporters Shield. United is one of 14 teams comprising Major League Soccer, joining CD Chivas USA, the Chicago Fire, the Colorado Rapids, the Columbus Crew, FC Dallas, the Houston Dynamo, the Kansas City Wizards, the Los Angeles Galaxy, the New England Revolution, Red Bull New York, Real Salt Lake, the San Jose Earthquakes and Toronto FC. For the latest headlines and official information on the Black-and-Red, log onto www.dcunited.com.
SOURCE: RCN Corporation
RCN Corporation Richard Ramlall, 703-434-8430 SVP of Strategic and External Affairs or Communicreate Michael Houghton, 703-799-7383
Copyright Business Wire 2008
News Provided by COMTEX