"Simply put, we have found the perfect partner," said Nick Sakiewicz, CEO & Operating Partner of KSE and Philadelphia Union. "This is a very important moment in our club's and stadium's history. To have a venerable, well-respected Pennsylvania company team up with a brand new world class facility is a profound statement. We are so energized over this partnership and can't wait to start working together to make our mark in the community and the region."
PPL EnergyPlus also will become Philadelphia Union's exclusive energy provider. Philadelphia Union will utilize energy at PPL Park supplied by PPL EnergyPlus, which will purchase and retire renewable energy credits equal to 100 percent of the park's electricity use from renewable energy projects in Pennsylvania owned or contracted by PPL EnergyPlus.
"With our partners at PPL EnergyPlus providing us cost effective and environmentally friendly energy, they are enabling us to create a stadium that is efficient and supports 'green and clean' power sources," added Sakiewicz. "That's a good formula for us and other businesses that want to work with PPL EnergyPlus to save money and be good to the environment at the same time."
The partnership will brand the stadium PPL Park in Philadelphia Union's inaugural 2010 season in MLS and continue through the 2020 season. Additionally, this comprehensive sponsorship will extend to other relationships such as youth soccer associations in the tri-state area and other soon-to-be announced community initiatives.
With electricity rate caps expiring in the Greater Philadelphia Region on December 31, 2010 businesses now have the opportunity to choose their electricity and natural gas suppliers. For the first time in 10 years, PPL EnergyPlus is able to aggressively compete for business in Southeastern Pennsylvania. PPL EnergyPlus also can bring to these same customers renewable energy options, energy efficiency improvements and demand response programs.
"PPL EnergyPlus is thrilled to support Philadelphia Union in bringing Major League Soccer to this market," said Gene Alessandrini, Senior Vice President of Marketing for PPL EnergyPlus. "Our two organizations have so much in common. PPL EnergyPlus and Philadelphia Union are both bringing new opportunities to the area. We're both driven to be winners and both intend on building a strong and loyal fan base.
"PPL EnergyPlus is building on successes in the competitive retail electricity market in northeastern and central Pennsylvania and expanding into new areas, including the Philadelphia market. Our association with Philadelphia Union will help us familiarize thousands of potential customers with the PPL EnergyPlus name as we bring our knowledge, experience and competitive prices for energy supply and energy services to southeastern Pennsylvania."
To learn more about how your business can benefit from the PPL EnergyPlus partnership with Philadelphia Union, please visit www.philadelphiaunion.com and click on the PPL 'referral program' button on the homepage.
Philadelphia Union's first-ever First Kick will take place March 25, 2010 vs. Seattle Sounders FC at Seattle's Qwest Field. The club's home opener will be April 10, 2010 vs. D.C. United at Lincoln Financial Field.
