Jeff McIntyre holds up a Tacoma Tide FC Ruffneck scarf in a 2008 photo. Jeff worked with local clubs on his way to securing the deal announced today with Major League Soccer. (David Falk)
Seattle's own Ruffneck Scarves has entered into a multi-year agreement, to design and produce officially licensed soccer scarves for Major League Soccer.
Seattle, WA, November 2, 2009 -- Major League Soccer fans will be able to display their team pride with a variety of new scarf designs by Ruffneck Scarves.
"Our goal all along has been to create unique scarves that REAL supporters can wear and raise with pride," said Jeff McIntyre, founder of Ruffneck Scarves. "The partnership with Major League Soccer (MLS) will increase our ability to reach the supporters of North America's top flight league, and gives MLS an opportunity to elevate their brand even further. "
In an effort to bring a fresh perspective to the scarf culture in MLS, Ruffneck will initially be launching a minimum of five designs per club, and will be focused on creating new designs throughout the season specific to special events, individual players and club supporters groups.
Since the early 1900's, when the demonstration began in English football, the soccer scarf has been the most significant and traditional garment seen on fans all over the world. The scarves come in a variety of colors and sizes, customized with everything from slogans to team logos, and raised by supporters in stadiums around the globe, no matter the climate.
"We got a real taste of what kind of impact we could make on MLS, when we created 23,000 scarves for Seattle Sounders FC season ticket holders earlier this year," stated Erin O'Brien, co-founder of Ruffneck Scarves. "Every fan in the stadium had their scarf raised, and the Sounders ownership group really emphasized the importance of the scarf in traditional soccer culture."
Ruffneck Scarves has begun to serve the league's fans with high-quality scarves for every club. The new designs will also be available in stadiums, pro shops and MLS-authorized retailers throughout North America.
Ruffneck Scarves was founded in 2007 in Seattle, Washington and specializes in custom soccer scarves for organizations of all levels. Ruffneck's scarves can be found around the necks of supporters groups, youth clubs, high schools, colleges and REAL soccer fans around the world.
Major League Soccer, is the top-flight professional soccer league in the United States and was founded in 1996, after the country hosted the 1994 FIFA World Cup. MLS kicked off its 14th campaign on March 19, 2009 with the League's 15th and newest team Seattle Sounders FC making their debut. The new club in Seattle has been a resounding success, averaging nearly 31,000 fans per match. MLS continues to grow as the Philadelphia Union will begin play in 2010 and teams in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and Portland, Oregon will become the 17th and 18th clubs in 2011.
Comments
Love these guys! Way to go Jeff!
Pretty bland and boring designs.
URS, show us a company that makes better MLS scarves
URS - let's see your designs..
I am pretty sure some of the MLS designs are yet to come...
those scarves on the website are atrocious. i bet even drew caray himself wouldn't be caught wiping powder from doughnuts off his fat face. (full disclosure: i am obese)
Not only did Seattle invent away support but also scarf culture.
the KC one should have "We take four damage points to your goal. Casts magic spell of invincibility"
i can't wait until seattle invents a scarf specifically demonstrating their hatred for another team.
wow, i sure hope i don't get presented with one of these terrible scarves when i am selected at the superdraft!
From Jeff at Ruffneck:
We have no plans to make any scarves using the supporters groups' names for general retail consumption, unless the SG wants to. We are focused on bringing a variety of new designs to the market to give fans a broader choice when it comes to scarves.There should be no crossover.
We will however continue to make scarves directly for supporters groups that order from us. They would then turn around and sell those scarves, not us.
Cheers,
Jeff
It's a shame these guys don't understand supporters culture. They have positioned themselves to compete against Non-Profit Organizations and undercut their fund raising efforts.
Scarfer, read my last post. They actually are in the business of helping supporters by making exclusive scarves for them that they can resell.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!