DUDE Wipes lands prime Quakes inventory with clean-sheet play
The San Jose Earthquakes have sold their first back-of-jersey sponsorship to DUDE Wipes, expanding the club’s commercial inventory through a multiyear agreement covering kit branding, matchday activation and community programmes.
The San Jose Earthquakes have agreed a multiyear back-of-jersey partnership with DUDE Wipes, giving the personal care brand a prominent position on the Major League Soccer club’s first-team shirts.The agreement marks the first time the Earthquakes have sold the back-of-jersey asset. Financial terms and the length of the partnership were not disclosed.Earthquakes president Jared Shawlee said: “We are excited to announce our new partnership with DUDE Wipes. DUDE Wipes is a rapidly burgeoning national brand and we look forward to introducing a number of activations together to support our local community and enhance the fan experience at PayPal Park.”The DUDE Wipes logo made its debut during the Earthquakes’ August 1 away match against FC Cincinnati. The brand has also become the club’s official wipe and flushable wipe partner.The deal extends beyond kit inventory to include community programming, digital content, fan engagement and matchday activations across San Jose.DUDE Wipes will serve as presenting partner of PRIME TIME, the Earthquakes’ interstate rivalry fixture against Los Angeles FC at Levi’s Stadium on September 19.The partners will also launch a Clean Sheets activation, using defensive shutouts to trigger giveaways and other fan initiatives during MLS competition.DUDE Wipes co-founder and chief marketing officer Ryan Meegan said: “We’ve always believed the best partnerships happen when you don’t take yourself too seriously. Landing on the back of the Earthquakes jersey feels pretty fitting for a brand that always has your back.“From matchday activations to celebrating every clean sheet, we’re excited to bring some extra laughs and a whole lot of wipes to Quakes fans.”Community activity will include product distribution to families at events across the Bay Area, giving DUDE Wipes a local activation platform alongside the national exposure generated by the shirt asset.The agreement builds DUDE Wipes’ sports marketing presence around a consumer category suited to humour-led campaigns and social content. The company was founded in Chicago in 2012 and says its products are sold through more than 40,000 US retail locations.San Jose gain an additional sponsorship revenue stream while retaining room for partner-led activations across their stadium, digital channels and community work.The back-of-jersey branding is now active and will remain part of the Earthquakes’ first-team kit under the multiyear agreement.