The new partnership confirms the two organizations shared passion for soccer and strengthens BMO’s ongoing support for the sport and its fans at both the amateur and professional levels.
“We are delighted to be joining the Montreal Impact as the exclusive presenting partner when the team makes its entry into MLS in 2012,” said L. Jacques Ménard, President, BMO Financial Group, Quebec. “This important partnership is proof of our mutual commitment to developing soccer in Quebec. BMO is proud to associate its brand with the world’s most popular sport and with a team that will pull in crowds and thrill Montrealers and Quebecers,” added Mr. Ménard.
“Today we have reached another historic milestone,” said Joey Saputo, president of the Montreal Impact. “It is with great pride that we announce a great partnership for a great soccer city. BMO Financial Group is a financial institution that is constantly increasing its involvement with the soccer community. I applaud their initiatives to support soccer across the country. Through BMO, the Impact is giving its firm commitment to remain accessible even after it enters MLS. It's also the biggest sponsorship deal in the Montreal Impact history.
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As official sponsor, BMO will have its logo displayed on the Montreal Impact jersey, in a section of Saputo Stadium, on the players’ bench, at the stadium’s main entrance and on tickets.
BMO’s partnership with the Impact fits perfectly with the institution’s grassroots support of more than 900 girls’ and boys’ teams across Canada. To make this commitment to young people even more tangible, BMO will introduce the BMO Team Up with the Impact program that will enable young players from local clubs to attend the Impact’s home matches in a dedicated BMO seating area. With this program, young players will be able to raise funds for their team and take part in various pre-game activities, acting as flag bearers and ball retrievers.
BMO customers will be able to take advantage of BMO’s Power of Blue program at all Montreal Impact MLS home matches. The program gives BMO customers access to:
• A 10 per cent discount on Impact selected games and merchandise
• An exclusive entrance when attending matches at the stadium
• VIP treatment: at each match a BMO customer and his/her guest will be upgraded to better seats
• Unique experiences through other BMO Power of Blue perks and privileges.
2012 season tickets
All season ticket holders in 2011 have been given automatic priority for renewal in 2012 and are now able to confirm their seats by contacting the Impact’s sales and services department at 514-328-3668.
Fans that are not season ticket holders in 2011 will also be given a chance to have a spot in the new stadium by providing a $50 deposit which will place them on a priority list. The deposit can then be used as part of the payment for the tickets, but is non-refundable. Fans on this list will have priority over the general public, which will begin in less than two months, on August 1.
About BMO and soccer
BMO supports soccer across Canada from youth players in local neighbourhoods and communities to the professional level. Our deep commitment to "The Beautiful Game" is evident from the beginning of the curve with our grassroots sponsorship of more than 900 youth teams nationally. The relationship continues with our support of elite youth players at the National Championships through to our professional teams support (Toronto FC & Vancouver Whitecaps FC) combined with soccer venue title sponsorship (BMO Field in Toronto). Most recently, BMO launched BMO Team of the Week, a contest to reward youth teams across the country with a grand prize that includes $125,000 to refurbish their local soccer field.
About BMO Financial Group
Since its foundation in 1817 under the name Bank of Montreal, BMO Financial Group has believed in community investment and corporate responsibility toward the communities in which it does business. BMO Bank of Montreal has more than 140 branches in Quebec, while BMO Nesbitt Burns and BMO Harris Private Banking operate 22 and three respectively. BMO has approximately 5,000 employees in Quebec.
About the Montreal Impact
The Montreal Impact is Montreal’s professional soccer club. The team made its debut in 1993. It has won three division championships (1994, 2004 and 2009), five regular season championships (1995, 1996, 1997, 2005 and 2006) and a Nutrilite Canadian Championship (2008). It also took part in the CONCACAF Champions League quarter-final on February 25, 2009, before 55,571 spectators at the Olympic Stadium. Playing in the North American Soccer League (NASL) in 2011, the Impact will join Major League Soccer (MLS), North America’s most prestigious league, in 2012. Saputo Stadium, the Impact’s home since 2008, will be expanded to 20,341 seats for the club’s inaugural season in the MLS.
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