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USL and Ruffneck Scarves Extend Partnership

By USLSoccer.com Staff, 09/15/16, 10:45AM EDT

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Seattle-based company to serve as USL’s Official Scarf Provider through 2017

TAMPA, Fla. – The scarf has long been a staple of the global soccer community and serves as a prized badge of pride and passion for supporters. Whether at matches, viewing parties or as part of the daily wardrobe, the scarf creates an identifier that tells a story – a story of success, support and unity. On Thursday, Ruffneck Scarves, the country’s leading soccer scarf supplier, is extending its partnership with the United Soccer League as the league’s Official Scarf Provider.

Partners with the USL since 2014, Ruffneck Scarves also serves as the Official Scarf Provider of U.S. Soccer, MLS and the NCAA. As part of the extension, Ruffneck will also serve as the Official Scarf Provider of the USL’s Professional Development League (PDL). The USL-Ruffneck Scarves partnership extends through the 2017 USL and PDL seasons.

As much as the scarf has become an identity piece for supporters, the scarf has become an important part of teams’ merchandising as well as their promotional and marketing campaigns. For a team, the jersey is the No. 1 consumer product in demand with scarves following close behind. 

“The USL is pleased to continue our partnership with Ruffneck Scarves in order to continue the scarf tradition within the USL and its clubs,” said Steven Short, Vice President of Business Development for the USL. “The league’s relationship with Ruffneck Scarves has showcased how the scarf is a functional piece of a club, its game day atmosphere and its identity. We look forward to working with Ruffneck Scarves and the clubs to develop more colorful and innovative ideas to integrate the scarves into the game day and community for the USL and its clubs.”

Ruffneck Scarves was founded in 2007 after the company’s co-founders – Jeff McIntyre and Erin O’Brien – shared a common goal for promoting the world’s greatest game by providing fans with high-quality soccer scarves. After attending many games over the years in different parts of the world, they realized that the one thing constant among soccer fans (other than the singing) was the passion and pride exhibited in raising a scarf.

“It is important for us to contribute to the growth of the game at all levels and the USL provides the opportunity to touch every level of the game from youth, to amateur to the professional ranks,” said McIntyre. “With the league’s footprint continuing to expand and supporters responding in record numbers, Ruffneck Scarves looks forward to bringing the scarf to life in USL markets across the United States and Canada.”

Ruffneck Scarves was founded in 2007 to provide high-quality custom soccer scarves for teams, events or purpose at every level of soccer from youth clubs, school teams, professional teams and leagues and supporter groups. Taking the North American soccer calendar and weather into consideration, Ruffneck offers both the traditional knit scarf as well as a summer weighted scarf options to teams and consumers.

Ruffneck Wear, Inc. is based in the Seattle suburb of Renton, Wash. For more information, visit www.ruffneckscarves.com.