New Office to Build on Tournament’s Success, Elevate Global Brand of Gold Cup
Committee Members Represent Diverse Range of CONCACAF Member Countries
NEW YORK (Friday, September 21, 2012) – CONCACAF (The Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football) announced today the creation of the first ever Gold Cup Organizing Committee, which will work to elevate the tournament and amplify its reach further. The Committee will be chaired by the President of the United States Soccer Federation Sunil Gulati, and Vice Chaired by CONCACAF Executive Committee member Ariel Alvarado of Panama.
“As part of the new CONCACAF’s commitment to inclusiveness and involving a diverse group in planning from start to finish, the Gold Cup Organizing Committee will ensure that this world-class tournament continues to delight fans and increase the competitive nature of our member countries,” said CONCACAF President Jeffrey Webb.
“We expect to improve on the previous Gold Cup’s 80% sold out rate and record viewership. Fresh off a historic gold medal at the 2012 Olympics, Mexico will prove a tough defending champion in next year’s Gold Cup tournament,” continued Webb. “These games will be some of the year’s best and the U.S. is thrilled to host the 2013 Gold Cup.”
“I look forward to the first meeting of this new Gold Cup Organizing Committee,” said United States Soccer President Sunil Gulati. “Given the importance of the event to CONCACAF and the greater recognition of the Gold Cup throughout the region, it’s critical that we continue to improve and build off the success of previous years in every possible way.”
More than 617,000 fans attended the USA’s top national soccer event, 2011’s Gold Cup, in sold out arenas throughout the country, with games averaging 47,464 attendance.
In addition, the Gold Cup is quickly developing as “must see TV” for fans. The 2011 Gold Cup final was the most watched primetime sports broadcast in Univision history with 10.8 million viewers and the rest of the tournament averaged numbers of 2,251,000 viewers.
As part of the new CONCACAF’s commitment to expanding the game, the inaugural Gold Cup Organizing Committee comes on the heels of a four year deal with Fox Soccer, a five year deal with Fox International Channels Latin America, and a three year extension with Futbol de Primera to broadcast the 2013 Cup.
The Gold Cup Organizing Committee members are Chairman Sunil Gulati, Vice Chairman Ariel Alvarado and members Alfredo Hawit (Honduras), Horace Burrell (Jamaica), Justino Compean (Mexico), Gordon Derrick (Antigua and Barbuda), Victor Montagliani (Canada), Canover Watson (Cayman Islands), Richard Groden (Trinidad and Tobago), Eduardo Li (Costa Rica), Luis Hernandez (Cuba), Jean Francisca (Curaçao), Cheney Joseph (Grenada), Maurice Victorie (Martinique), Pedro Chaluja (Panama). The members will serve through the 2013 Gold Cup.
About CONCACAF
CONCACAF “The Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football” is one of six continental confederations of FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) and serves as the governing body of football in this part of the world. It is composed of 40 national associations, from Canada in the north to Guyana, Surinam and French Guyana in the south.
