MLS to launch mobile site in Japan

Major League Soccer and MLJ Inc. have reached an agreement
to produce the first-ever MLS mobile content site in Japan,
MLS’ first-ever in Asia. Meeting the demands
of a rapidly developing cellular infrastructure, the agreement will provide
MLJ, a Tokyo-based technology company, the exclusive rights to use and
distribute exclusive MLS digital content through mobile phones and the
internet.

As part of the far-reaching agreement, the MLS mobile site
will feature match results, event information, player biographies, highlight
videos, and much more. Through an extensive subscription base in
Japan, MLJ will
distribute the latest information relating to Major League Soccer. The two
entities will work together to coordinate the promotion of the site, which will
help drive the top-flight league’s incursion in
Japan. The MLS mobile site will launch
via three phone carriers in
Japan
– this Monday, January 21 for the NTT Docomo network, on January 24 for KDDI,
and Feb. 1 for Softbank.

“As part of the league’s global new media plans, this
incursion into Asia is an important milestone
for MLS in the world of mobile content,” said MLS President Mark Abbott.
“This also highlights the league’s focus on the Asian market and expanding
our footprint among fans.”