Bell extends partnership with Vancouver Whitecaps FC; TSN to broadcast all Whitecaps FC MLS games beginning in 2014

VANCOUVER, Dec. 18, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - Bell today announced a multi-year extension of its Premier Founding Partnership with Vancouver Whitecaps FC that includes Bell branding of all Whitecaps FC official men's and women's jerseys and kits and support for Whitecaps FC community youth initiatives. And for the first time, all Whitecaps FC Major League Soccer (MLS) matches will be broadcast live on one network nationwide with TSN becoming the official Whitecaps FC broadcaster beginning in 2014.

"Bell is proud to extend its successful partnership with the Vancouver Whitecaps FC organization, one of Canada's most respected soccer clubs," said Wade Oosterman, President of Bell Mobility and Residential Services, and Chief Brand Officer at Bell. "Passion for MLS and soccer is growing rapidly across Canada and we're excited to give fans more national coverage across multiple platforms than ever before."

"This is a great day for Whitecaps FC fans across the country," said Rachel Lewis, Whitecaps FC chief operating officer. "As our Premier Founding Partner, Bell has been by our side since our inaugural MLS season. Our shared vision for the sport and collective commitment to community has been at the foundation of our partnership; we are delighted to see this grow with Bell's renewed commitment to the club and the addition of TSN to our family. We are proud to call TSN, Canada's premier sports network, home and are excited to provide our fans with unprecedented access to Whitecaps FC coverage nationwide."

In addition to live game coverage on TSN and TSN2, TSN's acclaimed team of soccer experts, Luke Wileman, Jason deVos, and Kristian Jack, will be part of the network's coverage of Whitecaps FC throughout the year, including regular news reports, analysis and Twitter updates. Select Whitecaps FC games will also be available in French on RDS and RDS2.

TSN and RDS are the official Canadian broadcasters of MLS in Canada. Throughout the season, comprehensive coverage of MLS is featured across all of Bell Media's key sport programs and platforms, including SPORTSCENTRE, TSN, RDS and on TSN Radio and TEAM Radio sports stations across the country. MLS fans can also watch live games and highlights on their smartphones and tablets with Bell Mobile TV.

CTV, TSN and RDS are also home to UEFA EURO 2016^TM and the FIFA World Cup^TM, from 2015 through to 2022, including exclusive Canadian broadcast rights to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™, 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar™ and the highly anticipated FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015^TM. TSN and RDS also have extensive coverage of the Barclays Premier League.

About Bell
Bell is the country's largest communications company, providing consumers and business customers with wireless, TV, Internet, home phone and business communications services. Bell Media is Canada's premier multimedia company with leading assets in television, radio and digital media, including CTV, Canada's #1 television network, and the country's most-watched specialty channels. To learn more, please visit Bell.ca.

The Bell Let's Talk mental health Initiative is a national charitable and awareness program promoting mental health across Canada with the Bell Let's Talk Day anti-stigma campaign and significant Bell funding of community care and access, research, and workplace initiatives. To learn more, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk

SOURCE: Bell Canada

Jason Laszlo
Bell Media Relations
1-855-614-6602
[email protected]
@Bell_News

Carly Jokic Director, Communications
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
604-753-8915
[email protected]