New York City Football Club (NYCFC) has announced Modell’s Sporting Goods as their Official Sporting Goods Retail Partner as they gear up for their inaugural Major League Soccer Season.

Modell’s Sporting Goods, America’s oldest, family-owned and operated retailer of sporting goods, will give NYCFC fans exclusive opportunities to buy a diverse assortment of Club gear while hosting special NYCFC events in-store. Events will include marquee player meet & greets and fan Q&A sessions. Additionally, Modell’s will engage soccer fans by providing special promotions and contests allowing fans a chance to win game day experiences to remember for years to come.

As Modell’s Sporting Goods celebrates its 125th Anniversary, it’s amplifying its commitment to soccer by establishing 15 of its locations as NYCFC Headquarters, including flagship stores at Times Square and Penn Plaza. These 15 locations, as well as modells.com, will feature exclusive NYCFC product in addition to a unique shopping experience through an elevated presentation and outstanding customer service. Modell’s will be the ultimate destination to meet every NYCFC fan’s gear needs including jerseys, t-shirts, hats, scarves, and more.

Tim Pernetti, Chief Business Officer, New York City Football Club, said:

“The New York City FC brand continues to grow in New York City and we are proud to partner with Modell’s to further the growth as we near our inaugural season on the pitch. Modell’s is an institution in New York sports and the perfect partner to kit out our fans. Together we will provide our fans with a broad array of products, great hospitality and a top-notch experience.”

Mitchell Modell, Chief Executive Officer, Modell’s Sporting Goods, said:

“It’s an amazing opportunity for Modell’s Sporting Goods, as the “First Family of Sport” to be a partner of NYCFC, the First MLS Club in New York City. We’re proud to have a 72 hour window as the exclusive New York City retailer for all key NYCFC product launches. It’s very exciting for us to kick off the partnership by pre-selling home NYCFC jerseys. Fans can now pre-order the jerseys on modells.com until we exclusively sell the jerseys in our stores in early December. We look forward to a long term relationship to provide similar opportunities to NYCFC fans in the future!”

About New York City Football Club

On May 21, 2013 City Football Group, which also owns Manchester City Football Club, announced, in partnership with the New York Yankees, the acquisition of Major League Soccer’s (MLS) 20th football club. City Football Group is the majority owner of the new Club. NYCFC becomes the first MLS Club whose home will be located within the five boroughs.

About Modell’s Sporting Goods

Founded in 1889, Modell’s Sporting Goods is the local family sporting goods destination that provides a convenient and compelling shopping experience for the athlete and fan in all of us. Modell’s offers customers an assortment of top brands in sporting goods equipment, footwear, team apparel and active apparel for every level of play yea-round. The retailer operates 155+ stores located in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. In addition, www.modells.com is a diverse website which services customers all over the country, filling all of their needs regardless of their residence.