SECAUCUS, N.Y. -- Red Bull Co. Ltd., the maker of Red Bull Energy Drink, is expanding its interest in soccer. The MetroStars will take the field in the upcoming 2006 Major League Soccer season as Red Bull New York.
The purchase of the MetroStars comes after recent investments by Salzburg, Austria-based Red Bull into NASCAR and Formula One auto racing, according to a Seattle Post-Intelligencer report. Red Bull also owns stake in Red Bull Salzburg, a soccer club in Austria's first division.
Red Bull CEO Dietrich Mateschitz said, 18 [image-nocss] million Americans actively play soccer in the [United States]. Up to 60 million attend games each weekend. We were so fascinated by these figures that we made the decision to join and support this development by taking over the responsibility for the MetroStars. Our goal is to further strengthen the team and position the New York Red Bulls as the soccer metropolis of the East Coast, as well as to join the investment for a new tailor-made soccer stadiumthe Red Bull Arenawhich will serve as the new home for the New York Red Bulls.
Close collaboration between Red Bull Salzburg and the Red Bull New York is planned. Synergies in athletic areas as well as in management and marketing will be tapped. Projected plans include talent scouting, mutual training camps and friendly matches as well as joint marketing, merchandising and public relations activities.
The New York Red Bulls will kick off the season on the road against D.C. United on Saturday, April 2, and return to Giants Stadium for their first home game on Saturday, April 8, against the New England Revolution.
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