City Football Group has signed a multi-year partnership deal with Cisco.
The tech giant will become the official technology partner of the group’s teams Manchester City, New York City FC, Melbourne City, Yokohama F Marinos, Sichuan Jiuniu FC and women’s teams in Manchester and Melbourne.
It is Cisco’s first major partnership with a football organisation and will look to “drive innovation, enhance connectivity for clubs, players and fans and positively impact people and communities around the world through sport”.
“We are delighted to announce this new partnership with Cisco which will span four continents across the City Football Group network,” said Damian Willoughby, senior vice president of partnerships at City Football Group.
“CFG is an organisation built on people and we are excited to embrace Cisco’s technologies to better connect our clubs, players and fans across the world.
“This partnership will be driven by its shared values of innovation, pushing the boundaries of our industries and providing a positive impact to the communities in which we operate, and we are delighted to welcome such a prestigious brand into the CFG family.”
Brian Eaton, director of global sports marketing at Cisco, added: “In City Football Group we found a global organisation that is relentless in its pursuit of excellence and taps into people’s passions in a way that few other things can.
“While they already use Cisco technology to bring connectivity to fans, they see an opportunity to partner and use technology to positively shape the business of football.
“Cisco believes technology is a bridge to possible, a future that benefits people in a dynamic and positive way.
“That shared belief is the foundation of our partnership and from which we are excited to embark on a meaningful relationship.”