Partnership Unites Two San Antonio Brands Championing Inclusivity and Teamwork
SAN ANTONIO (Feb. 22, 2024) – San Antonio FC today announced a new jersey patch partnership with local non-profit health plan, Community First Health Plans, Inc. (Community First). This jersey patch designation will celebrate Community First as the official health insurance partner of SAFC as the two local brands come together to create unique and joyful experiences for fans of all backgrounds, ages and abilities.
This is the first professional sports partnership for Community First, the only locally owned and managed non-profit health plan in San Antonio and surrounding areas. Founded in 1995, Community First offers high-quality health care coverage and access to services and supports that individuals and families need to achieve more successful health outcomes. As the club’s jersey partner, Community First’s logo will appear across the center of the first team jersey and practice gear for all matches, home and away.
“Our organization strives to provide access, healing and belonging to all of our fans and the community we serve,” said Dr. Kara Allen, Chief People, Impact & Belonging Officer at Spurs Sports & Entertainment. “Community First puts those priorities into practice on a daily basis and we are proud to be amplifying and aligning that work through this partnership.”
“As two San Antonio-born brands powered by our people and purpose, we celebrate this opportunity to foster inclusive, fan-centered experiences in our shared community as our two organizations grow and excel alongside each other,” added Katrina Palanca, Vice President of Global Partnerships at Spurs Sports & Entertainment.
“Soccer has the power to bring people together, regardless of their age, race, culture, or gender,” said Theresa Rodriguez Scepanski, President and CEO, Community First Health Plans. “It’s a sport that is beloved worldwide and a great unifier that has the power to break barriers and build a healthier community. We are proud to partner with SAFC, an organization that already does so much to strengthen and serve our community, and we look forward to seeing what we can accomplish together.”
Spaces for All
In keeping with Community First and SAFC’s shared mission to foster positive and memorable experiences for fans of all needs and abilities, Community First will sponsor the ADA seating areas at Toyota Field, which includes select seats across Sections 123, 127, 103 and 107. They will also sponsor the club’s first-ever sensory area pod, which would serve as a soothing space for those with sensory sensitivities, and a breastfeeding pod, allowing mothers a safe and private area to feed or pump. These new pods are designed to create a more inclusive and welcoming match experience for all. The intended placement of these pods is on the concourse, with more details to come further into the 2024 season.
Community First will also have a significant presence within the club’s youth sports efforts as the presenting partner of five youth soccer clinics as well as the SAFC Micro League, a recreational and instructional soccer league that introduces San Antonio’s youth to leadership, teamwork and positive decision-making while learning the game. In celebration of their partnership, Community First will also design a wall mural on display at Toyota Field stretching from Sections 103 through 107, which will be completed early in the 2024 season. Toyota remains the naming rights partner for the field, having extended their partnership this offseason.
San Antonio FC opens the 2024 USL Championship regular season against Loudoun United FC on Saturday, March 9 at Toyota Field. The 2024 SAFC season is presented by Toyota.
About Community First Health Plans
Community First Health Plans, Inc. (Community First) was established in 1995 by University Health, specifically to begin providing health care coverage to the citizens of Bexar and the surrounding seven counties. As the only locally owned and managed, non-profit health plan in the area, our commitment to our members is to provide great health care benefits backed by outstanding service, delivered by people who live right here in South Texas. Our goal is to make San Antonio have more successful health outcomes by putting the community first. Learn more at CommunityFirstHealthPlans.com.
About Spurs Sports & Entertainment
Spurs Sports & Entertainment (SS&E) is a value-based and community-centric sports and entertainment company that provides premier live and global digital experiences for fans across a portfolio of three teams and two venues – all supported by a staff of more than 1,000 full and part-time employees. SS&E owns and operates the San Antonio Spurs (NBA), Austin Spurs (NBA G League), and San Antonio FC (USL), as well as manages the day-to-day operations of the Frost Bank Center, Toyota Field and STAR Complex. In November 2021, SS&E broke ground on The Rock at La Cantera, a multiphase $500 million legacy project that extends across 45 acres and is home to the new Victory Capital Performance Center, a state-of-the-art training facility for the San Antonio Spurs, a 22-acre park, and Frost Plaza, a community-centered outdoor space. Future phases will feature a human performance research center and space for medical, hospitality and office use. The SS&E investor group is led by Managing Partner Peter J. Holt.
