AutoNation to sponsor ‘DRV PNK’ stadium; Barcelona’s Asensi hired
Inter Miami is expected to announce a stadium naming rights deal with AutoNation on Friday, and pink signage that read: “DRV PNK STADIUM” was already going up on Wednesday night.
The team sent out an advisory Wednesday afternoon saying a “special announcement” is scheduled for Friday morning at the stadium involving team co-owner Jorge Mas and AutoNation executive vice president Marc Cannon. Speculation was that a stadium naming deal — and possibly a jersey sponsorship deal — were going to be made public.
SBI Soccer posted a photo of the DRV PNK STADIUM signage on social media Wednesday night. A club spokesman would not comment on the deal.
The partnership makes sense as AutoNation is based in Fort Lauderdale, home of the Inter Miami training facility and current stadium, and the auto retailer has a Drive Pink (“DRV PNK”) cancer charity initiative, which fits with Inter Miami’s team colors of black and pink. Customers who choose to donate get a pink license plate frame on the back of their vehicle. AutoNation has raised more than $25 million for cancer research and charities since the program’s inception in 2015.
AutoNation sponsored Indy Car drivers Jack Harvey, Alexander Rossi and Marco Andretti, who had the DRV PINK logo on their cars, fire suits
and helmets. The company has also been involved in NFL and college football sponsorships. AutoNation owns and operates more than 325 locations.
NEW HEAD OF BUSINESS HIRED
Inter Miami continued its front office overhaul with the hiring of FC Barcelona’s former chief commercial officer Xavier Asensi, who will take on a similar role with the MLS club.
Asensi, 39, has been working as a consultant with Miami for a few months, and was named chief business officer Thursday. He joins Inter Miami after 10 years with FC Barcelona, where he most recently served as chief commercial officer and was a member of the FC Barcelona executive
board.
Asensi, who is pending receipt of authorization to work in the United States, will lead the club’s business operations and commercial strategies and report directly to managing owner Jorge Mas.
“Xavi brings a proven record of success at one of the world’s greatest clubs,” Mas said. “His vision will further drive the growth of our club and support our local and commercial partnerships.”
Asensi spent many years living in China and Hong Kong as the head of the FC Barcelona’s Asian commercial office.
He built a reputation on generating global business for FC Barcelona and increasing the number of fans in Asia. He speaks English, Spanish and Mandarin. Inter Miami
co-owner David Beckham has a huge following in Asia, so Asensi’s knowledge of that market would be beneficial as the club tries to expand its reach.
“I am grateful for the trust and support Jorge Mas and David Beckham have given me, and I am very motivated and excited to begin this new journey in South Florida. I am a huge fan of the United States, and I believe that there is no better time to be part of the soccer industry in this country alongside a young organization with a world of opportunities ahead,” Asensi said. “I’ve been very impressed with what I’ve seen so far and look forward to working with the team to establish a clear direction and strategy to achieve our goals.”