Stater Bros. Markets Partners with LAFC and Homegrown Talent Christian Torres of Fontana

Stater Bros. Markets is excited and proud to announce its partnership with the Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) and rising LAFC star Christian Torres. Through this partnership, Stater Bros. Markets will bring the excitement of soccer to Stater Bros. stores and communities in Southern California, beginning with the 2022 Major League Soccer (MLS) season.

“It was important to us that we teamed up with a partner who echoed our values and community-first way of thinking. In Christian, we’ve found someone that works hard every day, is humble and embodies the kind of team spirit that we embrace here at Stater Bros.,” said Dennis McIntyre, Executive Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer.

Major League Soccer, the league that the Los Angeles Football Club belongs to is one of the fastest growing sports leagues in the United States. Being easy to stream soccer appears to have helped grow the sport. MLS saw the biggest increase in popularity among sports viewers, going from the 13th most popular league in 2019 to 7th in 2021, according to a survey done for Moffett Nathanson.

The popularity of soccer with Hispanics is very high, higher than many other sports including football, ice hockey, baseball and other major sports.  So this marketing using soccer and a Hispanic soccer star will strike Hispanics well, a goal of most of the retail establishments in Inland Southern California because the area has pitched to majority minority in recent years.

“LAFC has challenged the status quo in MLS by competing at the highest level and has proven to be a valuable contributor to our Southern California community,” McIntyre continued. In 2022, the partnership will give rise to many exciting things. Via stadium signage, Stater Bros. Markets is featured throughout LAFC’s home, Banc of California Stadium.

A commercial featuring LAFC’s homegrown player and Fontana, CA native Christian Torres will air during LAFC local broadcasts on KCOP 13. During these broadcasts, Stater Bros. will award three prizes, live and on-screen! Additionally, through two 4-week in-store promotions, Stater Bros. will award customers hundreds of amazing brand name prizes, LAFC swag, and Stater Bros. gift cards. LAFC and Torres will be prominently featured on in-store materials and other collateral supporting the promotions.