MLS: first pro league (USA/CAN) to allow jersey sponsorship for sports betting and spirits companies

Major League Soccer has become the "first major pro sports league in US and Canadian team sports to permit companies in the sports betting and spirits (liqours and 'hard' alcohol) categories (beer and wine already permitted) to include their brands on MLS jerseys," announced the North American League on 26/06/2019.

As part of the updates, "jersey sponsorship opportunities will include jersey fronts and new sleeve-patch space, with the latter being available for MLS clubs to sell beginning in 2020. The new guidelines also ensure that youth-sized replica jerseys will not feature these category sponsors and no MLS players under the age of 21 can be included in ads for spirits," continued MLS.

"Sports betting and spirits companies can now partner with clubs in other ways, including stadium naming-rights, stadium signage, field-board advertising, ad spots and custom programming. Sports betting companies can also set up in private lounges at MLS stadiums or on property adjacent to the stadium," added MLS.

• The US Supreme Court abolished the sports betting ban in 46 of the country's 50…