Back Home PEPSICO INCREASES MLS STAKE, WITH AQUAFINA'S FOUR-YEAR DEAL PEPSICO INCREASES MLS STAKE, WITH AQUAFINA'S FOUR-YEAR DEAL Published December 7, 1999 PepsiCo's Aquafina has signed a multi-year deal to become an Official Sponsor and the Official Bottled Water of MLS through the 2003 season. Aquafina will receive sideline presence on team benches via coolers, towels and bottled water and will also explore retail opportunities in MLS markets. The brand will also get exposure via ABC, ESPN and ESPN2, as well as field boards, title nights, uniform sponsorship, ads in special event game programs, tickets and player appearances (MLS). BRANDWEEK's Terry Lefton reports that Pepsi is "expected to leverage" its Aquafina deal with a "promo offering kids in each [MLS] market the chance to be honorary water boys and girls" (BRANDWEEK, 12/6 issue). The SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL's Andy Bernstein notes that Aquafina replaces Naya as the league's water sponsor and that the four-year deal "does not include" a TV component. MLS is now "just two official sponsors away from equalling last year's total," and it is currently "in talks" with Gatorade about filling the isotonic category recently vacated by All Sport. Bernstein also reports that Reebok "will not return next season" as a licensee and uniform supplier of the Revolution (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 12/6 issue). Classified Advertisements Sponsorships Advertising Marketing Recent Issues Current IssueWednesday, March 25, 2015Tuesday, March 24, 2015Monday, March 23, 2015Friday, March 20, 2015Thursday, March 19, 2015Wednesday, March 18, 2015Tuesday, March 17, 2015Monday, March 16, 2015Friday, March 13, 2015