Audi continues to contribute to Goals Drive Progress program in 2024
Multi-platform, season-long content series on The Players’ Tribune returns to highlight MLS players’ positive impact in their communities
NEW YORK (March 28, 2024) – Audi of America, Major League Soccer (MLS) and The Players’ Tribune today announced that the Celebrating Impact content series will return during the 2024 MLS season. Celebrating Impact spotlights MLS players demonstrating excellence in their communities and will debut across The Players’ Tribune channels today, March 28 at 10 a.m. ET.
Honoring the effort of MLS players driving progress off the field, the Audi Goals Drive Progress Impact Award will continue with contributions from Audi doubling in 2024. For each player spotlighted in the Celebrating Impact content series, Audi will make a $40,000 contribution to the 501c3 organization of the player’s choosing through the Audi Goals Drive Progress fund.
“We’re incredibly proud of the continued efforts by Audi to inspire and celebrate positive change,” said Jen Cramer, MLS EVP of Partnership Marketing. “When two groups have a shared vision and level of commitment, incredible things can happen, and that is what we have with Audi. We can’t wait to continue honoring the great work done by MLS players off the pitch in their communities.”
Audi’s immense commitment to community projects will continue to be highlighted as part of the end-of-year player recognitions through the return of the Audi Goals Drive Progress Impact Award. A selection committee – comprised of current players, technical staff, front office staff and media members – will consider current MLS players who are dedicated to enriching lives and improving communities across the U.S. and Canada. A $150,000 contribution will be made to the player’s charity of choice and presented to the winner during MLS Cup presented by Audi.
“Audi is proud to evolve the Audi Goals Drive Progress initiative to make a positive impact in more communities across the country,” said Adam Perez, Brand Partnerships & Experience Senior Specialist, Audi of America. “Through our partnership with MLS and collaboration with The Players’ Tribune, Audi looks forward to building upon the great success of our inaugural campaign and embracing more leaders across the league who are fostering sustainability, equity, and inclusion.”
A longstanding partner of MLS, Audi has made an immeasurable impact on the lives and playing careers of young soccer players as the force behind the Audi Goals Drive Progress initiative. Launched in 2019, the initiative provides funding to further enhance the experience of young players on and off the field at MLS academies, which play an essential role in developing talented players across the league. The Audi Goals Drive Progress initiative has evolved to not only support player development on the pitch but also bring an impact off the pitch by financially supporting and spotlighting the community initiatives of players. Since the program’s inception, Audi has funded a combined total of $5 million to support MLS academies and player selected charity organizations.
“We are looking forward to working once again with Audi and MLS to spotlight this worthy program through The Players’ Tribune,” said Minute Media Chief Marketing Officer, Andres Cardenas. “Our priority has always been and remains putting athletes and the stories that matter to them, first. We are honored to offer fans a behind-the-scenes view of these athletes and the communities they serve.”
Working directly with each athlete to spotlight causes that are important to them, The Players’ Tribune will create impactful article and video experiences that will launch across its channels, amplifying the power of each athletes’ voice and raising awareness for the causes close to their heart. The content will also be shared to MLS’ channels. The program first debuted in 2023 and was one of The Players’ Tribune’s most successful content undertakings of the year, amassing more than 11 million video views and over 135 million earned media impressions in service of celebrating the incredible work championed by these athletes.
To engage with Celebrating Impact content, visit theplayerstribune.com and MLSsoccer.com. Join the conversation and excitement surrounding each episode by following @Audi, @MLS, and @ThePlayersTribune on social media.
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ABOUT MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER
Headquartered in New York City, Major League Soccer -- celebrating its 29th season in 2024 -- features 30 clubs throughout the United States and Canada, including a new expansion team in San Diego that will debut in 2025. All MLS, Leagues Cup, and select MLS NEXT Pro and MLS NEXT matches can be watched through MLS Season Pass, available on the Apple TV app on Apple devices, smart TVs, streaming devices, set-top boxes, and game consoles, and the web at tv.apple.com. MLS Season Pass features the most expansive and accessible lineup of programming ever for MLS fans. For more information about MLS, visit mlssoccer.com. For more information about the Apple TV app, visit apple.com/apple-tv-app.
ABOUT AUDI OF AMERICAAt Audi of America, we believe the future is electric. By 2025, our U.S. model lineup will be at least 30 percent electrified, including fully electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. Globally, we are committed to net CO2 neutrality by 2050. In 2023, Audi sold a record-breaking 228,550 vehicles in the U.S. Among those deliveries, Audi sold more fully electric models than ever before, achieved record Audi Sport sales, and had a record-breaking year in after sales. Learn more about who we are and how we’re working to create a more sustainable, innovative, and inclusive future at audiusa.com or media.audiusa.com.
ABOUT THE PLAYERS’ TRIBUNE
The Players' Tribune is the leading sports content platform that developed the blueprint for athlete-driven storytelling. Created by athletes for athletes, The Players' Tribune provides athletes with premium tools and resources to produce truly personal content and tell their stories. Founded by Derek Jeter in 2014 and acquired by Minute Media in 2019, The Players' Tribune has reimagined the world of sports and culture globally, through the player's point of view. For more information visit www.theplayerstribune.com, or interact with the team on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
Media Contacts:
For Major League Soccer
Peter O’Brien
For Audi
Amanda Koons
For The Players’ Tribune
Paige Graham
