WARWICK – Breeze Airways’ brand will now go beyond Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport to the soccer pitch starting this coming March.
Officials from the state, the commercial airliner and Rhode Island FC announced jointly Monday at the airport that Breeze Airways has signed a multiyear partnership with the expansion United Soccer League club to be Rhode Island FC’s front-of-jersey sponsor. Team officials, including Fortuitous Partners’ Brett Johnson and Rhode Island FC President Brett Luy, along with officials from the R.I. Airport Corp. and R.I. Commerce Corp., and Gov. Daniel J. McKee, unveiled the new jersey with the “Breeze” logo emblazoned across the chest.
While Rhode Island FC has also secured jersey logo sponsorships with Centreville Bank and Rhode Island Energy, the front-of-jersey logo is the most lucrative given its prominent visibility during soccer matches. Additionally, Rhode Island FC representatives told Providence Business News on Monday that a multiyear deal for a front-of-jersey sponsorship is atypical since most agreements for such a sponsorship are done on a year-to-year basis.
“I believe this Seriously Nice partnership proves how dedicated Breeze is to becoming the hometown carrier of the Rhode Island community,” Breeze Airways President Tom Doxey said in a statement. “We look forward to carrying soccer fans to and from the region and cheering on the team as they start their debut season this spring."
Rhode Island FC Chief Revenue Officer Vicky Lynch said in a statement that the synergy between Breeze and the soccer club “could not be more ideal.” However, Rhode Island FC and Breeze officials declined to say how much the soccer club will receive from the airliner as part of the sponsorship agreement.
Rhode Island FC is also just the second U.S. soccer club to obtain a front-of-jersey sponsor from an airline company. New York City FC, a Major League Soccer franchise, has a similar agreement with Etihad Airways.
The local expansion soccer club will also formally unveil its home and away jerseys Monday evening at a special event at The Guild in Pawtucket.
James Bessette is the PBN special projects editor, and also covers the nonprofit and education sectors. You may reach him at Bessette@PBN.com. You may also follow him on Twitter at @James_Bessette.
