MasterCard International, Official Sponsor of Major League Soccer since the league’s inception in 1996, has agreed to renew its commitment to MLS as an Official Sponsor through the 2002 season. “We are delighted that MasterCard has agreed to continue its relationship with MLS,” said MLS Executive Vice President Randy Bernstein. “As one of our valuable and most active corporate partners, MasterCard has pledged its commitment to the league and the sport of soccer with a new four-year agreement that will assist MLS in reaching the next stage of our continued growth and development.” The new four-year agreement allows MasterCard to retain all of its previous rights and benefits, most notably, uniform sponsorship of MLS Cup ’96 and ’97 champions D.C. United. New for 1999, MasterCard will incorporate MLS into its “Priceless Moments” advertising campaign, which will highlight MLS’ and MasterCard’s long-term partnership. MasterCard will also retain title sponsorship of the annual “First Kick” retail program designed to kick-off the MLS season as well as sponsorship of the MLS All-Star Game MVP and the MLS Goal of the Year Awards. “We are pleased to announce the extension of our Major League Soccer sponsorship as it represents the best way to own soccer in the United States and is a natural extension to MasterCard’s global World Cup sponsorship,” said Nicholas A. Utton, senior vice president, U.S. Marketing, MasterCard International. “We look forward to leveraging our sponsorship by continuing to establish programs which deliver incentives to those cardholders who are passionate about soccer.”