Adidas to Sponsor Major League Soccer for 4 Years, $200 Million

The deal is seen as another sign of MLS’s viability. Since the original deal with Adidas was signed, the league has added seven franchises, built seven stadiums designed for soccer, and increased annual attendance by 24% to more than 3.6 million spectators in the U.S. and Canada.

Moreover, Sports Business Journal reported that since 2005, MLS merchandise sales increased more than 600% annually, to $300 million, helped by the signings to MLS teams in Los Angeles and New Jersey of David Beckham of England and Thierry Henry of France.