This groundbreaking partnership promises to elevate the presence of Carrick Rangers in North America at a time where the popularity of football is skyrocketing, making it the perfect moment to introduce the Northern Ireland Football League to American sports enthusiasts.
Fan Owned Club will play a pivotal role in providing a wide array of marketing, merchandising and commercial services on an international scale for Carrick Rangers. This collaboration seeks to establish the Club as a globally recognized brand and usher in the Irish League's entry into the lucrative US market.
Michael Smith, Majority Owner of Carrick Rangers, emphasised the untapped potential of the Northern Ireland Football League in the American market.
"The Irish League might be the most under-valued product in all of sport. It is an exciting brand of football with a high standard of play in an ultra-competitive league. We are excited for Carrick Rangers to be the pioneers in bringing this to an American market that is hungry for more sports-centred content."
Carrick Rangers chairman Peter Clarke expressed the Club’s enthusiasm for this historic partnership, stating,
"This alliance with Fan Owned Club is a game-changer for us. We are excited to introduce the vibrant and competitive Irish League to the American audience, and we believe that this partnership will open up new horizons for both organisations."
Fan Owned Club Founder Steve Paris added,
"We are honoured to join forces with Carrick Rangers and are committed to leveraging our expertise to promote it in the US. This partnership marks a significant step in the globalisation of Irish League football and sets the stage for a thrilling journey ahead.”
Key facts supporting this collaboration:
Over 36 million American residents, more than 10% of the population, claim Irish ancestry.
Forbes reports that the US is home to over 4,000 Irish pubs, which serve as cultural hubs and potential points of interest for Irish football fans.
Football is ranked as the fourth most popular sport, with over 8% of the adult population claiming it as their favourite sport.
The United States will host the Copa América in 2024, Club World Cup in 2025 and the FIFA World Cup in 2026.
These monumental events and evolving fanbase are expected to drive a significant surge in football interest, creating an ideal environment for Carrick Rangers to expand its presence and promising platform for the Northern Ireland Football League.
Find out more about our partnership with Fan Owned Club at fanownedclub.com.
