Bridgestone and the South American Football Confederation announce five-year sponsorship of the Libertadores Cup
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Dec. 3, 2012) – Bridgestone Corporation, the Latin American Tire division of Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations (BATO LA), and the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL), today announced that the Bridgestone brand will be the Title Sponsor of the Libertadores Cup starting in 2013. The tournament will be known as the Bridgestone Libertadores Cup through 2017.
This agreement with the CONMEBOL will allow BATO LA to link the company’s passion for performance to Latin America’s passion for football (soccer) through development of various advertising campaigns, consumer marketing programs and promotions, and social media activities.
"We are very excited to have such a prestigious company as Bridgestone partner with CONMEBOL to create the Bridgestone Libertadores Cup,” said Nicolas Leoz, President of the South American Football Confederation. “It is a testament to the importance of South American football and the deep passion of its fans. I would like to express my appreciation to Bridgeston e for joining us on this journey. Welcome Bridgestone Libertadores Cup!”
"Just like fans of football (soccer) all across Latin America, at Bridgestone, our passion for performance knows no bounds. We are incredibly excited to initiate this sponsorship with CONMEBOL as we feel we share many common values, including trust and pride and a focus on teamwork in order to reach a common goal,“ said MatÃas Borges, Consumer Sales & Marketing Director for BATO LA. "We have greatly enjoyed the exposure we received from our participation in other football championships, such as the South American Football Cup and the U-20 Libertadores Cup, and we look forward to achieving even greater levels of awareness as the Title Sponsor for the Libertadores Championship - the most prestigious football cup at the club level in America.”
The 2013 Bridgestone Libertadores Cup will be the fifty-fourth year of the most important club tournament in South America. Participating teams include the champion of the 2012 Libertadores Cup, the champion of the 2012 South American Cup and teams selected through a draw from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela. The draw for the 2013 Bridgestone Libertadores Cup will take place on Dec. 21, 2012, at the South American Football Confederation Convention Center in Luque, Paraguay.
About Bridgestone Corporation:
Bridgestone Corporation, headquartered in Tokyo, is the world’s largest tire and rubber company. In addition to tires for use in a wide variety of applications, it also manufactures a broad range of diversified products, which include industrial rubber and chemical products and sporting goods. Its products are sold in over 150 nations and territories around the world.
Bridgestone Corporation, headquartered in Tokyo, is the world’s largest tire and rubber company. In addition to tires for use in a wide variety of applications, it also manufactures a broad range of diversified products, which include industrial rubber and chemical products and sporting goods. Its products are sold in over 150 nations and territories around the world.
About Latin American Tire division, Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations:
Bridgestone Americas maintains an established and strong presence in Latin America through the subsidiaries that make up the Latin American Tire division (BATO LA), which is part of Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations. BATO LA, through seven manufacturing and sales subsidiaries, operates six tire production plants — two in Brazil, and one each in Argentina, Costa Rica, Mexico and Venezuela — along with proving grounds in Acuña, Mexico, and São Pedro, Brazil. In addition, through Bandag do Brasil Ltda. and Bandag de Mexico, S.A. de C.V., the companies manufacture and market pre-cure retread for truck and bus tires.
Bridgestone Americas maintains an established and strong presence in Latin America through the subsidiaries that make up the Latin American Tire division (BATO LA), which is part of Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations. BATO LA, through seven manufacturing and sales subsidiaries, operates six tire production plants — two in Brazil, and one each in Argentina, Costa Rica, Mexico and Venezuela — along with proving grounds in Acuña, Mexico, and São Pedro, Brazil. In addition, through Bandag do Brasil Ltda. and Bandag de Mexico, S.A. de C.V., the companies manufacture and market pre-cure retread for truck and bus tires.
About South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL):
The South American Football Confederation is the continental governing body of association football in South America and it is one of FIFA's six continental confederations. The oldest continental confederation in the world, its headquarters are located in Luque, Paraguay, and its current president is Nicolás Leoz. CONMEBOL is responsible for the organization and governance of South American football's major international tournaments. CONMEBOL national teams have won nine FIFA World Cups (Brazil five, Argentina and Uruguay two trophies each), and CONMEBOL clubs have won 22 Intercontinental Cups and three FIFA Club World Cups. Argentina and Uruguay have also won two Olympic gold medals each. With 10 member football associations, it is the smallest confederation in FIFA.
The South American Football Confederation is the continental governing body of association football in South America and it is one of FIFA's six continental confederations. The oldest continental confederation in the world, its headquarters are located in Luque, Paraguay, and its current president is Nicolás Leoz. CONMEBOL is responsible for the organization and governance of South American football's major international tournaments. CONMEBOL national teams have won nine FIFA World Cups (Brazil five, Argentina and Uruguay two trophies each), and CONMEBOL clubs have won 22 Intercontinental Cups and three FIFA Club World Cups. Argentina and Uruguay have also won two Olympic gold medals each. With 10 member football associations, it is the smallest confederation in FIFA.