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If 2022 could be described in one word for ISL, it would be – revolutionary. This year has brought us incredible launches, promising partnerships, and groundbreaking experiences.
Did you know that ISL had at least one major event take place for nine months of the year? That means that 75% of the months in the year had at least one major tentpole event for the agency! From the drop of Luka Modric’s first NFT collection in January to the collaboration between Barça and MLS in July, as well as the first ever LaLiga Select showcase in Madrid in March, ISL has had the opportunity to partake in some pretty incredible moments that made 2022 a year for the books.
Let’s hit rewind on 2022 and go through some of the most memorable moments for ISL!
January 2022
ISL goes digital | Luka Modric released his very own official and authenticated NFT collection. The collection was made available by Ethernity Chain and powered through ISL – Ethernity’s official and exclusive soccer partner.
February 2022
Travel management returned to the UK!
March 2022
LaLiga Select held its first ever showcase in the Spanish capital of Madrid! 118 players were selected from an impressive total of 12,000 youth soccer players across 14 different scouting events in North America.
Entering the esports arena, in 2022, we saw esports player João Oliveira join the powerful Portuguese team of Benfica through the support of ISL.
May 2022
Switching gears back to LaLiga Select, in May 2022, we had our first selection of players who passed onto the third and final phase of LaLiga Select. Three players were offered scholarships by LaLiga Select to continue their journey in Spain and spent the next two weeks training with LaLiga Academy teams such as Celta, Alavés, and Levante.
June 2022
ISL and Icerock powered an epic friendly between D.C. United vs Xelajú MC.
July 2022
ISL heads west in July 2022! In collaboration with ISL, FC Barcelona closed out its first two games against Inter Miami FC and the New York Bulls of MLS. This was a game that fans had not seen since 2008 and also an exciting face-off between FC Barcelona and Beckham’s Inter FC
We also broke records in 2022! Our FC Barcelona Academy Summer Camps launched in July 2022, and we saw a record-breaking count of over 5,000 players enlisted at our Seattle camp
ISL and USYF (United States Youth Futsal – a US Soccer member) continued to strengthen their relationship by expanding futsal in the United States through a series of events in Kansas City, Milwaukee, Indianapolis, and Charlotte during the summer.
October 2022
A little bit of self-care in 2022. We had the grand opening of our new Barcelona office, and let’s just say we ended up celebrating 3 hours more than expected!
ISL also held a corporate meeting to discuss all the exciting things we have planned for the future.
November 2022
We made partnerships happen! In November 2022, ISL and Pepsi x DJ Mariio provided gamers with a never-before-seen immersive experience combining everyone’s love for soccer and video games. The partnership was made possible through the support of ISL.
December 2022
December is the month of friendlies powered by ISL and Icerock! From AS Roma facing off with Cádiz CF to Crystal Palace hosting Real Valladolid at the Selhurst Park Stadium and, of course, Herta BSC going up against Millonarios FC in Osceola County Stadium – this month was a month full of friendlies!
Pepsi and ISL joined forces again! Together, Pepsi and ISL teamed up to launch Pepsi’s marketing campaign in Central America. Through the support of ISL, Joao Felix and Sergio Busquets were the two featured stars of Pepsi’s marketing campaign in Central America.
Phew! With all that said (emphasis on all), our year comes to a bittersweet end filled with incredible moments, industry-changing collaborations, and never-before-seen releases. We could not have made it to this point without the support and commitment of our ISL team and the support from everyone who helped make this possible. We want to thank each and every one of you for your perseverance and belief in us. We can’t wait to see you all in the new year and work together to make 2023 another revolutionary year.
This holiday season, the ISL foundation in collaboration with Barça Academy US Carolinas is making the holidays of child refugees truly special by gifting them soccer gear donations.
The campaign, also known as #SoccerLovesUkraine, is working closely with players from the different academies to gather all donated goods for child refugees from Ukraine that now reside in Poland. What started off as a small yet mighty donation effort by fellow Barça Academy Carolinas player, Alex Cordora, turned into a collective effort between the Barça Academy Carolinas and the ISL Foundation.
When asked what motivated him to start this initiative, Cordora said the following:
“I knew about the war and I learned about the effects that it had on the people in Ukraine and all around the world and I thought that they could use something to boost their spirits”
Full interview HERE
Through this campaign, kids are welcome to donate various types of lightly used soccer gear ranging from cleats to soccer balls and even shin guards. The donations will then be sent off to Poland where a vast majority of Ukrainian refugees have fled in an attempt to escape the war.
This campaign is one of the many different efforts managed by the ISL foundation and although each campaign has addressed various social topics or issues, this campaign in particular is one that will directly impact the lives of many children who have been forced to flee their home country with little to no time for packing any personal items.
“I would like to help out the Ukrainian refugees in need in Poland and give them a positive distraction and something to take their mind off the war” – Cordora when asked how he thinks this campaign can help children currently in shelters.
#SoccerLovesUkraine is an opportunity for us to collectively come together as a community not only through our love for soccer but through our core values of teamwork and empathy. ISL is a global community with the power to drive positive impact across this world, we take pride in helping others and hope #SoccerLovesUkraine will give Ukrainian children a memorable holiday season.
Please bring donations to Barça Academy Carolinas practice location in the USA between November 28th-December 4th, 2022. Donations can include new and gently used soccer equipment (cleats, shin guards, balls, pumps, gloves, etc.) and/or money to cover costs for shipping.
La Liga Select landed in Spain in March to train 118 young players from the USA and Canada. The players, were selected by LaLiga Grassroots scouts from a total of 12,000 participants across 14 events and tournaments in locations such as Texas, New York and Las Vegas (Nevada) since the start of the program in January 2021.
Created by the best league in the world, LaLiga Select is the first official recruitment platform of LaLiga to scout youth talent in North America.
The platform provides young American soccer players, aged 13 to 18, the opportunity to showcase their talent and create a framework of opportunities for growth, visibility and improved competition level for the players.
A total of 12,000 participants across 14 events and tournaments in locations such as Texas, New York and Las Vegas (Nevada) since the start of the program in January 2021 were selected by LaLiga scouts.
The players, divided into 7 teams, have spent 10 days in Madrid preparing intensively with LaLiga coaches for a series of matches with youth teams from Atlético de Madrid, Rayo Vallecano, Getafe CF, CF Fuenlabrada and CD Leganés. They have also played against two other famous clubs, Rayo Majadahonda and Unión Adarve, and have trained with Real Madrid and Atlético de Madrid in their training centers.
“After many months of work in North America (United States and Canada), we are very proud to see how LaLiga Select is moving towards its final goal. The selected players have shown an excellent level during their stay in Spain, demonstrating the potential of the American talent. We hope to soon see some of these players excel at the highest level and consolidate the program on a global scale,” says Alex Isern, CEO of ISL Agency.
During their stay in Madrid, the coaches and officials from LaLiga Grassroots have monitored the 118 players in order to select the best in each age category. These players will receive a scholarship to train for a period of time with a LaLiga club’s youth academy.
In a special agreement for FC Lorient’s 100th anniversary year, we have secured, in collaboration with The Members Agency, Joma Sport as the club’s official technical partner. The deal brings together a leading global sportswear brand and a Ligue 1 side entering a historic chapter in its journey.
Under the partnership, Joma will supply kits for every FC Lorient squad, from the professional men’s and women’s teams to the academy, delivering high-performance apparel that unites the entire club under one look.
Joma, internationally recognized for the quality of its official kits and its commitment to the clubs it partners with (including Villarreal, Anderlecht, and Brentford), made a strong impact at the Paris Olympic Games, outfitting around 15% of participating athletes and providing equipment to about ten national Olympic committees, including Spain and Portugal, as well as more than twenty national federations.
This agreement marks the beginning of a collaboration between two entities driven by the same ambitions: performance, innovation, and a deep connection to their community.
The new Joma x FC Lorient kits were unveiled this month, blending advanced performance technology with design details that celebrate the club’s heritage. The first kit made its debut on July 19 in a friendly match arranged by ISL against CA Osasuna.
We are proud to announce the renewal of our partnership with Club Esportiu Europa, continuing as the club’s Official Sponsor for the 2025/26 season through the ISL Foundation.
The agreement was officially signed at the Nou Sardenya stadium, where Hèctor Ibar, the club’s president, and Àlex Isern, ISL co-founder and CEO.
CE Europa is a historic neighborhood club in Barcelona, widely respected for its excellence in developing local talent and its unwavering commitment to diversity and community.
Beyond that, it holds deep personal meaning for us at ISL because it’s where our founders, Àlex Isern and Marc Segarra, met as children playing in the youth academy, building a friendship rooted in the game that would eventually give rise to ISL. Between 2007 and 2010, Isern proudly wore the Europa shirt in 102 official matches, earning a spot in the club’s First Team.
For ISL, it’s an honor to support an institution that truly understands the value of grassroots soccer and the power of sport to connect people.
We’re proud to be part of the Europa family once again.
As part of our ongoing collaboration with FC Barcelona, we’re proud to announce the launch of a new Barça Academy in Hoover, Alabama. This new location reinforces the club’s growing presence in the United States and reflects our joint commitment to bringing Barça’s world-class methodology and values to more young athletes across the country.
We continue to support FC Barcelona’s international expansion with the launch of a new Barça Academy in the United States, this time in Hoover, Alabama. The academy is set to open in the 2025/26 season and will be operated by our team as part of our ongoing collaboration with the club.
This marks another milestone in Barça’s long-term global expansion strategy, reflecting our shared commitment to bringing the club’s values and methodology to new communities around the world.
Following the successful management of Barça Academies in Austin, Carolinas, and Chicago, the Hoover Academy is the latest in a series of initiatives led by us to expand the Barça brand in key international markets. The new academy will operate year-round, offering a comprehensive training program rooted in the club’s world-renowned methodology and designed to develop young talent both on and off the field.
For FC Barcelona, this expansion presents a significant opportunity to strengthen its connection with the rapidly growing U.S. soccer ecosystem. By building stronger ties with American families, players, and communities, the club is not only exporting its football philosophy but also nurturing long-term brand loyalty and cultural presence.
For more updates, follow @barcaacademyus and @barcaacademyhoover.
This season, through the ISL Foundation, we joined forces with the global financial advisory firm Clairfield International SA to provide an opportunity for two young players to compete in the prestigious MIC Football 2025 tournament as part of our Team ISL G16 squad.
Thanks to Clairfield’s generous donation, the full participation costs for goalkeeper Ona Valencia and midfielder Zoe Segura were covered. Their team delivered an outstanding performance, reaching the semifinals, where they faced Paris Saint-Germain in a thrilling match that was ultimately decided by a penalty shootout.
Team ISL, our international youth team, has been competing at MICFootball since 2017. Each year, our owned brand Futbol First brings together top players from across the United States to form the squad, offering them a unique international soccer experience and the chance to compete at the highest level.
In addition to Clairfield’s support, ISL and Futbol First made an additional contribution to fully cover the players’ participation, reaffirming our long-standing commitment to youth development and the continued growth of the women’s game.
At Futbol First, our mission is to humanize the soccer experience by building a community centered on youth, purpose, and personal growth, while fostering lifelong connections and a genuine love for the game.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Clairfield International SA for believing in this mission and helping create life-changing opportunities for the next generation of athletes.
The sports marketing agency, with offices in Barcelona and Miami, brought together industry leaders for an event that addressed the progress, challenges, and opportunities in women’s sports and the role of women in the industry.
ISL Agency hosted on April 10th, 2025 the Heritage event this week at its Barcelona headquarters, a space for conversation and reflection that brought together key voices from the sports ecosystem to analyze the current state of women’s sports in Spain and what still needs to be done to continue advancing the role of women from all angles.
Lina Carlos de Vergara, Vice President of Communications at DAZN Spain, shared the platform’s strategic vision when it acquired the global broadcasting rights to the UEFA Women’s Champions League in 2021 for four seasons. During the first two, all matches were made available for free through an exclusive women’s football channel on YouTube, which now has over one million subscribers. In the following two seasons, broadcasts moved to the DAZN app. Currently, all women’s leagues, including the UWCL, are available on DAZN without a paywall for most matches, according to the agreements established with each competition.
“At DAZN, we didn’t want there to be a single barrier to accessing women’s sports. If the interest was there — and the data proved it — then the issue was visibility. That’s why we opened the doors and did it in a way that left no room for excuses.”
This interest is reflected in projects like the Queens League. Anna Tormo, Head of Digital Strategy for the Queens and Kings League, explained how creating the competition from the beginning under conditions similar to its male counterpart was a decisive factor in its success.
“The great differentiator of the Queens League is that it was born almost at the same time and under the same parameters as the Kings League. It wasn’t a case of adaptation, but of building something equal from day one. That allowed us to create a strong and appealing product right from the start — something that hasn’t historically happened in women’s football.”
Maria Teixidor, lawyer, entrepreneur, and former General Secretary of FC Barcelona’s Board of Directors, was clear in pointing out that the real breakthrough is still ahead:
“We can’t keep trying to make women’s sports fit into molds that weren’t designed for it. We have to build a distinct and differentiated product, and stop looking at men’s sports as the only model for success. The potential is there, but we still don’t dare to tap into it as it deserves.”
But the challenge goes beyond the game itself: it also lies in solidifying the role of women at every level of the industry — from decision-making to content creation and strategic development. As the sector evolves, it is essential that women are not only present on the field but also in the spaces where the rules are written.
Andrea Ginés, sports journalist, spoke about the cultural shift needed for women to take on leading roles throughout the industry:
“In many ways, Spain is still lagging behind [other European countries]. We need to break old habits and change the way we value the role of women in sports — both on and off the field. We need visible role models, but more importantly, we need female talent at the center of decision-making.”
Looking ahead, the speakers agreed that the real challenge is no longer proving that there is interest in women’s sports, but rather building the structures needed to ensure its sustainable growth. They noted that many commercial opportunities in women’s sports are still being missed, and brands are slow to react.
This event is part of a new line of action by ISL Agency, launched with a clear purpose: to be an active agent of change and to create these spaces for dialogue as a real way of moving the industry forward.
With this initiative, ISL Agency reaffirms its commitment to a more inclusive, diverse, and ambitious sports industry.
About ISL Agency
Based in Barcelona and Miami, ISL Agency is a sports management and marketing agency focused on bringing international growth opportunities to major sports properties.
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