“We’re thrilled with this new partnership,” said Jeske. “Our clubs are growing rapidly, particularly in commercial areas, so the opportunity to connect our league with Soccerex provides a tremendous vehicle for club engagement within the international soccer arena.”

Originally founded in 1986, USL has become one of the most sophisticated soccer organizations in North America over the past decade, which led to the USL Championship being awarded full second tier status by the U.S. Soccer Federation in 2018. The organization’s growth, led by Chief Executive Officer Alec Papadakis, has been underpinned by a proactive commercial approach that recently saw it become of one of the first U.S. sporting bodies to allow betting and gaming sponsors on team jerseys following the removal of the federal ban on sports betting last year.

The organization’s growth was also reflected in the recently announced three-year renewal of its television partnership with broadcast leader ESPN. Under the expanded agreement, 19 USL Championship games will be featured in over-the-air broadcasts annually, with ESPN+ serving as the national streaming home for both the Championship and USL League One.