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We are thrilled to announce that we have officially kicked off the start of the 2020/21 season signifying our continued partnership with FC Barcelona. From coast to coast boys and girls ranging in array of age categories return back out on to the fields to continue their education in FC Barcelona values, style and techniques.
For some this will be their first season with us, having gone through summer tryouts at our different locations and finding that the philosophy of the Barca way being in line with helping them advance in their skills, field IQ and overall love for the beautiful game. In Charlotte, NC we were especially proud to announce that our Academy there has expanded regionally and around the city, as well as with 2 new locations across the border into South Carolina.
With all of the excitement of getting going again and watching our players grow, we are earnestly keeping in mind that we are still in the midst of a global pandemic. For the past 7 weeks we have been actively putting into practice safety procedures that are in line with CDC and government regulations at our camps from around the nation and truly believe that we will continue to refine these practices in order to keep all of our players safe. This is non-negotiable for us and will always be our number one priority in each city that we have an Academy.
Many protocols have been put into place to ensure utmost safety, including mandatory temperature checks and hand sanitization. Redesigning drills at a safe distance, as well as disinfecting all training materials. Players will only interact with their own ball for individual games. For cooperation games players will share a ball, through which they must achieve a common goal. For opposition in a non-shared space, players will cooperate with a shared ball to achieve a common goal, sharing only their space and without defensive contact.
These are just some of the procedures we are putting into practice and will continue to communicate with you through email and social media as these protocols are added and refined.
ISL prides itself in putting on unparalleled experiences for clients, brands and athletes, all the while exceeding expectations. The launch of MICFootball USA in 2019 was no exception, and we have been looking forward to the tournaments second installment.
“We are at the helm of a sport that vast numbers of people live and breathe that has been laid low by this invisible and fast-moving opponent. It is at times like these that the football community needs to show responsibility, unity, solidarity and altruism.” Aleksander Čeferin, UEFA President.
Considering the recommendations from WHO, UEFA and the local authorities, ISL and MIC Sports acknowledge the worldwide impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the risk it represents to global health.
Under these circumstances, ISL regrets to inform that the MICFootball USA tournament 2020 has been postponed to 2021.
“We are very disappointed that the tournament will not take place, but as an active player in the soccer scenario, and an important piece in developing and inspiring the new soccer generations, ISL’s priority is the health of our local communities, fans, players, volunteers, sponsors, employees, vendors, and everyone involved with the event”, says Marc Segarra, ISL co-founder.
MICFootball is one of the major youth soccer tournaments in the world, where legendary players like Messi and Neymar have made their competitive debuts. Thousands of talented participants were expected, but we will have to wait until 2021 to see the stars of the future shining again.
“We will not let down our young players and their dreams, we will do everything within our reach so that they can enjoy this experience in a safe environment”, Marc Segarra.
ISL apologizes for any inconveniences this decision may have caused, and intends to share updates on the tournament.
We will get through this together and we will be back on the fields soon enough and stronger than ever. See you at the IMG Facility in Bradenton, FL. in 2021.
Esports has quietly made its way into the forefront of the gaming world, taking its place in the sports landscape. Teams are popping up in major cities around the world and it has turned into a multibillion dollar a year industry with significant prize money and endorsements on the line.
It’s hard to deny the popularity of Esports. Viewership is increasing year over year, there’s constant experimentation with new revenue models and it’s redefining the way we engage with online content. It’s a fresh, digitally native take on watching competitive sports, and it’s here to stay.
ISL is proud to announce a new partnership with the Ultimate Gamer – the worlds first and only multi genre esports proving ground – to find the Best Gamer on Earth, offering a $1Million prize purse during an upcoming esports tournament. The partnership reflects ISL’s vision for a future where sports and esports play together.
The partnership consists of high profile ambassadors helping promote the tournament and take it to audiences that otherwise wouldn’t be reached. ISL connected Marcelo, Real Madrid defender, Sergio Busquets, FC Barcelona midfielder, and Darko Peric, actor in the hit television show Money Heist, with Ultimate Gamer. The three celebrities will be using their social media influence to promote the tournament.
The goal of this partnership is two fold, to help Ultimate Gamer break into the sports and entertainment market, while helping sports and entertainment personalities connect with Ultimate Gamer, building everyones brand in new markets.
We’re looking forward to the partnership with Ultimate Gamer, and continuing to disrupt the esports scene. The partnership is set to continue for further ventures in the space. Follow us on social media and sign up for our newsletters for future announcements on this partnership!
With over 500,000 competitors worldwide, the Ultimate Gamer brings people together through the power of gaming, and the best part is: you can join in for free and from the comfort of your home, anywhere in the world.
The tournament will feature 17 of the most popular video games in the world, including Fortnite, Fifa, LOL, Apex Legends, Dota 2, Overwatch, or Counterstrike. Registration ends and qualifiers begin September 1st.
From the offset of forming ISL as a company the main focus has always been about community and giving back. Each of us that make up the team come from different walks of life and have at some point needed a hand up to move forward, in one way or another. It is with that sentiment and the current global climate of COVID-19 that we collectively agreed that there has to be a way to get involved and be able to put our efforts into pouring hope into the lives of those who are desperately in need during this time.
Recently we rolled out a “Same Team. Same Goal.” campaign in tandem with the global call for people to stay at home in hopes of combating this pandemic and flattening the curve. We received an overwhelming and positive response to the mocked up “Home Shirt” jerseys in the graphics we laid out for social media and an article written to support the campaign. The only logical thing to do at this point was to move the concept forward into production and ultimately do good with it.
Now, there are many companies that are vying to get involved and help out in aiding those in need, but for the most part those donations are being funneled into a centralized disbursement organization and the turn around to get them to those people who are now reliant upon receiving those distributions are being lost in the shuffle or having to hold on a bit longer until they are able to receive aid.
For us, immediate disbursement of aid was non-negotiable. People are going without and the goal for us is get them help as soon as possible. ISL is going on 7 years strong now, but we have done well at remaining true to our roots. The early days began in Charlotte, NC and although we now call many parts of the world home, the Queen City will always hold close in our hearts.
Soccer is the world’s game and if you are a part of it you will come to quickly understand that it is a very small and close knit community with many arms. Soccer serves many purposes outside of being a game to watch. It unifies cities and countries. It’s colorblind. It doesn’t know or care what your socioeconomic status is. But, above all it serves. Soccer and the players that we have come to cheer on have always poured resources back into one outreach or charity that they are fortunate to be partnered with. To us, we have always had the utmost respect for our friends at Project 658.
Project 658 believe in transforming communities and pouring hope into restoring each life they are able to engage with, regardless of race, sex or religion. These are values that we believe in and only hope to try to replicate in our daily lives. 658 are a holistic ministry providing services for at-risk families in Charlotte and Nashville, moving them toward sustainability; with a key focus on the international and refugee communities. This is a non-brainer for us, as many of our team are from different parts of the globe.
The beauty of this project was two fold, in that we had the opportunity to help those in need, but additionally it gave the folks at 658 the chance to put a few of their staff back to work, even if it were for a short period of time, as they have an onsite screen printing and distribution department. Given the climate of things right now being able to uncover a company to do this project and turn it around in a timely fashion could present itself as a bit of a challenge, so we were excited to learn that this was a capability of theirs.
Beyond being an outreach ministry, 658 have diversified their facility to be host a variety of different things such as wedding receptions, to continued education classes, vocational training classes, an after school daycare and tutoring, to a fully operational restaurant style kitchen to which they have the ability to cater events on the premises, as well as feed those in need. They even have the ability to convert the banquet space into a fully capable futsal court for local youth to play on.
Without the delay the concept of #HomeFC was born. The purpose behind the jersey was a simple call to stay home, save lives in the attempt to get this pandemic behind us and to get back out on the playing field. Additionally, it gave us the opportunity to be able to reach out to our network to help those who are most in need.
With all hands on deck we ran a limited time offer jersey sale for 7 days utilizing our ISL social media channels and an email marketing campaign. Orders from around the U.S. started coming in almost immediately, which for us validated even more the type of community we have come to know and love. As quickly as it began it was over. All in all we sold over 200 jerseys and raised over $5000.00 for Project 658 and a couple other organizations affiliated with our foundation.
This number may not seem like much, but for the lives of those in need during this time it truly made an impact, even if it were for a short period. To everyone that helped support this campaign, thank you. You may never meet the folks who you help support, but we can assure you that they are equally grateful to you too.
To learn more about our foundation and organizations that we work with follow this link.
We work in a world that can be characterized into two simple words, “Sports Marketing.” This however can bring a lot of questions as to what goes into sports marketing, and could make someone unprepared when one is offered the chance to rattle off a dreaded 30 second elevator pitch. It’s in that vein and of the utmost importance to give clarity to these questions, but more importantly to separate yourself from other companies who claim to be in the same field.
By definition Sports Marketing is a subdivision of marketing, focusing both on the promotional aspects of sporting events and the teams that compete in those events, as well as the promotion of products and services associated with those sporting events and sports teams. It is a service in which the element promoted can be a physical product or a brand name.
Like most vibrant companies we are diverse and multifaceted, meaning that we are not just siloed into a specific space. Although our focus is that of the sports industry, we have many arms that make up our brand, all the while we continue to branch out into other new and exciting areas. ISL prides itself on being cutting edge, as well as hiring some of the most talented folks in the industry to help make dreams become reality, not just as a company, but for our clients and guests.
We have a variety of services to offer. To date there are 8 different ways in our portfolio to be able to engage with current clients and new potential customers. This includes everything from experiential design, brand development, marketing and sponsorship, event production, tours and friendlies, product research and development, travel management, and all the way to our player management arm. Each services works with one another to seamlessly achieve our clients goals.
As a company we like to meet challenges methodically and head on. So, as our brand continues to thrive and grow into new areas. We are proud to be a Sports Management and Marketing agency, providing sports business services and solutions for clients and partners, as well as ISL owned and operated brands.
To learn more about ISL, the different services we have to offer and how we are able to work together contact us. See you on the field.
We’re living in unusual times that require actions that are going to make a difference, and ISL recognize that we can aid in the efforts. In partnership with Innjoo, ISL will be working to distribute Innjoo’s healthcare products to the sports industry and other businesses within the United States of America.
ISL will use it’s network within different American institutions to help prepare leagues, federations, sports commissions, and governments with Innjoo’s healthcare equipment, ensuring people have access to safe, reliable and certified products when sports and life return to normal.
With the current climate of COVID-19, we have all come to truly value the power of sports and the way it brings people together. We all miss cheering on our favorite teams and players with thousands of other spectators and staff. Someday soon players, fans and staff will be able to return to sporting events, enjoying the pastimes that have built relationships and connected communities to one another. When we are able to return, things may look a bit different than before with social distancing protocols becoming a fabric of our society for some time. The protocols will require products that keep us all safe while enjoying our favorite sporting events and quotidian moments. Face masks, protective gloves, thermometers and hand sanitizer will become a part of our “new normal”.
ISL hope we can all work together in order to prepare ourselves for when life goes back to normal. If you believe you can aid in ISL’s efforts to supply healthcare products and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to Sporting, Healthcare or any other organization in need, please contact us below.
Innjoo are a global technology and healthcare products provider who have been invested in the sports industry for some time, exemplified in their jersey sponsorship of RCD Espanyol. They are also the official healthcare provider of the Spanish government, and have been on the front lines combating the COVID-19 crisis and keeping healthcare workers safe. The variety of product Innjoo offers varies from different facial masks (Surgical, KN95, 3M), gloves, Rapid COVID-19 test and other Personal Protective Equipment. All of Innjoo’s products are FDA Approved, and meet all of the legal requirements for use in the American Market. Innjoo can supply large product quantities in less than a week as they are manufacturers of these products and have their own fleet of cargo planes.
Innjoo and ISL are looking forward to providing solutions to our communities that will help us all return to a life we all miss.
Learn more about Innjoo here www.innjoo.com
It’s been a little over four weeks now since what seemed like just another news story playing in the background from a different part of the world, has now made its way to every corner on earth. Global events of this magnitude seem like something we’ve read about in history books or even seen in blockbuster science-fiction movies, but to actually live it out in real life is nothing short of surreal. It truly gives us a better perspective that we are all a part of something bigger now than just our own myopic worldview we typically live in.
Temporarily we are all on hold. Activities have been suspended and scheduled events have been pushed back to dates that are still to be determined. For the most part everyone is complying with the universal stay at home orders, in helping the greater good. Neighbors are once again being neighborly and doing their part to combat the spread of COVID-19. That said, the earth is still rotating on its axis, and life continues on.
None of us know when we will be able to return back to “business as usual,” but it is certain that we will not be starting over from scratch, but rather adapting to new topography. This is a seemingly daunting thought to wrap your mind around no matter the industry you find yourself in, but just like our ancestors, we adjust and fight on.
ISL’s primary focus is sports, which when cancelled around the globe made the whole coronavirus pandemic very real, not just for us, but for every walk of life as we are all vested in it one way or another. Be it cooler talk at the office amongst peers or simply a way to bond with loved ones, sports and sporting events are unifying.
“No one in our lifetime has ever experienced extraordinary events like this. We are all learning how to move forward by trial and error in each of our respective businesses.” – Alex Isern (CEO of ISL) “Start where you are and with people you have on your team. Be bold enough to take risks, even now, but more importantly if those efforts fall short, get up, dust yourself off and try again.”
So, what does this mean specifically for sports marketing? Two of the most affected continents in this global crisis are Europe and America, where ISL holds 100% of its operations. The postponement of most soccer leagues and federations worldwide, coupled with our vast Travel, Talent and Tour and Friendlies Management arm, has put our families, clients, and partners on the bench.
For all, this disruption means rethinking how to manage upcoming scheduled activities, messaging for marketing campaigns and the events associated with them, and of course, how this will affect everyone financially. Some companies are in reactive mode, while others are in survival mode, but either way you look at it we are all in an adaptive mode, trying to get a better grasp of when things will resume back to normal. It’s during this time however that companies, like ISL, dig in and pivot.
This means recognizing what is going on currently, adjusting strategies and looking down the road. We are not naive to the gravity of this crisis. We know that this current situation is monumental, but the ISL team remains steadfast and positive. Our outlook is laser focused on continuing to change the global soccer landscape and more than ever we are committed to our players, our clients and our partners in delivering unparalleled experiences and solutions. We take pride in what we do and in servicing our customers, because at the core of everything we are is ultimately you.
“We are one in this! From our early beginnings, ISL have always been there for its team, families and clients. In these uncertain times, we need you more than ever to sustain all that we have built together.” – Marc Segarra (Co-Founder of ISL) adding, “These are unprecedented times, so please stay home and be patient. Take this time to spend with family and loved ones. Sooner than later we will get the (soccer) ball rolling again, together.”
So for now, home field advantage is global and the rules are universal. Although we may be rooted separately, our paths will ascend together. We are one team. Will you wear the home shirt?
Same team. Same goal.
In the past little had been known about this fast growing sport, or as some have referenced it as the little brother of soccer, but futsal is the only form of indoor soccer endorsed by FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association). It earned the status of FIFA’s official form of indoor soccer in the 1980s as it was recognized as a scaled down version of outdoor soccer played indoors. It is a 5 v 5 small-sided game played on a hard surfaced, basketball sized court with a smaller, heavier low bounce ball. Great soccer superstars such as Pele, Zico, Ronaldo, Messi, Kaka and Katia grew up playing the game and credit futsal with developing their skills.
The mission of our indoor program is simple, develop top tier players and people through the uniqueness of this sport, all the while providing a comfortable platform for all to learn and advance on and away from the court. The philosophy is unconventional in that the overall approach is holistic and centers on the encouragement of individual creativity and player intelligence. In itself, futsal is a very distinctive game, and often takes players out of their comfort zones in order to stretch their skills to reach their next level. The goal in these circumstances is to help ensure players are constantly striving for loftier goals and succeeding.
Since forming, Futsala has experienced a string of rapid successes for both players and coaches. It has even gained national and international attention for top level play on the court. Recently our ‘03 Team were crowned the National Champions In addition, there has been recognition at National ID’s, with six of our players getting invited to participate with the US National Youth Team.
Programs vary, depending on interest and individual development within the game, but can be specialized to fit specific needs of the player. There are 2 core categories that are open to players, with a week long summer camp option for all skill levels looking to continue to refine their techniques or simply check out the sport for the first time.
Trips that were once just a short drive from home to the courts are now around the country and abroad to compete against the best the nation and world have to offer. It is a far departure from its humble beginnings, but a journey that is just beginning and with a big, bright future ahead.
As a sports marketing agency, our portfolio is diverse and consists of an array of projects, clients and partnerships here in America and around the globe. A lot of our work revolves around youth soccer and futsal for both boys and girls, but in addition, we recently launched a brand new offering with professional clubs throughout Europe looking to break into the U.S. market, spearheaded by Bruno Diaz, Director of Sponsorships.
Bruno joined the ISL family midway through the fourth quarter of 2019. His background and reputation for being an executive liaison between corporations and professional soccer teams is well known in Spain, France, Portugal and the U.K. His ability to marry corporate sponsorships with the right clubs is well documented and continues to reach new heights.
As we continue to expand opportunities for athletes to compete in high levels of competition domestically and abroad, we have found that there are ways to for corporations to be a part of these future stars journeys and helping each fulfill their dreams of taking it to the next level.
Here are just some of the reasons why businesses should be involved in athletic sponsorship:
The reasons are countless to sponsor a team, an academy, a tournament or a pro team, but in the end it comes down to philosophical alignment and vision of how these partnerships can be mutually beneficial for all parties involved.
To learn more about how you can be a corporate sponsor and what tiered packages are available across ISL programming, please contact Bruno Diaz at ISL Agency.
During our 6 year history as a company, we’ve continually built strong relationships throughout the soccer community, including with professional players.
Tandhem is the culmination of years of hard work navigating the sports business landscape, and valuing the relationships we’ve built. Tandhem is a global player management agency which offers a 360 degree management service to help athletes reach the levels in their career they deserve. Tandhem is built on 4 primary services; representation, intermediation, marketing, and legal/financial support.
We have been working with professional players for years in developing bespoke events relevant to player brands and aided in driving their marketability. But now we are lucky enough to take it to the next level with a full offering of professional services for players.
Tandhem’s roster of players will feature a mix of current professional players and young talented players with a big future in the game. The professional roster includes players plying their trade in the MLS, Serie A, Liga MX and several other top leagues which features Mexican International and LA Galaxy star, Jonathan Dos Santos. The young talented players are currently learning their craft at top Academies like FC Barcelona, RCD Espanyol, UE Cornella and Girona FC.
Key to building a player management agency is providing the transparency to our clients and partners which can often be neglected in the industry. This is of vital importance, and in order to do this we will be applying the same values which ISL pride itself upon to the management of Tandhem. We want our clients and their families to feel they can approach us with anything and know our team will take on every day with the intention of providing a complete, professional and transparent service which gives the priority of our interests to the athlete.
Perhaps the most interesting attribute to Tandhem is its link between European soccer and the the Americas. Over the years ISL have built a proven track record of linking European soccer cultures, most notably Spanish, to the American market. That union of cultures is a positioning that sets Tandhem apart from others in the market, and will be a unique selling proposition through the years.
Alex Isern, ISL CEO, said of Tandhem, “With Tandhem we make a big step as a global sports management company. After launching a few months ago with our new tours & Friendlies division, we now get into the representation industry. We understand the challenge and that’s why we put a team of experts, from inside and outside the company, leading this project. Or goal is to leverage our positioning in the United States and bring great players to a market that is continuously growing, especially with the new MLS franchises and the 2026 World Cup.”
Tandhem’s home base will be stationed in Barcelona, Spain, but will have representation in 3 other strategic cities. Los Angeles, Miami, and Madrid will be the key placeholders for Tandhems global business.
We are extremely excited to the opportunities Tandhem have already and will continue to create. Tandhem will only be as successful as its team and partners, like Borja Garcia, who is an expert in the space and has partnered with Tandhem. With 7 years experience in the global player management business, he has been managing the career of top players like Enzo Perez, Gustavo Cabral, Elieas Pereira as well as recently sealing the deal of Christian Espinoza for San Jose Earthquakes.
