Deal Establishes Newark-Based Company As Exclusive Official Health Insurance Partner of the New York Red Bulls
Harrison, NJ (June 15, 2016) – The New York Red Bulls announced today that Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield New Jersey (“Horizon BCBSNJ”) has become an exclusive partner. Horizon BCBSNJ will hold the club’s exclusive designation as the Official Health Insurance Partner of the New York Red Bulls.
Over the past several years, the Red Bulls and Horizon BCBSNJ have collaborated on multiple community-oriented events. Red Bull Arena hosted the Horizon-sponsored the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of NJ Expo in April. Additionally, the Covenant House Sleep-Out at Red Bull Arena, sponsored by Horizon, generated nearly $90,000 for the Newark-based non-profit to address homeless issues.
“The New York Red Bulls are a community-minded organization that shares Horizon’s commitment to improving the health and wellness of New Jersey residents of all ages,” said Christopher M. Lepre, Senior Vice President, Market Business Units for Horizon BCBSNJ. “By working together, we can help educate and motivate more people to get active, make smart choices and lead healthier lives. Soccer is the fastest growing sport in America and millions of New Jerseyans watch or play, so aligning with the Red Bulls is the perfect way for us to connect better with the fans, young and old, who are so passionate about this great sport.”
"We are honored to partner with Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield New Jersey, a like-minded organization who puts community service in the forefront," said Marc de Grandpre, General Manager, New York Red Bulls. "Based in Newark, Horizon is a geographic neighbor to Red Bull Arena. Both partners plan on using our collective reach and assets to enable our neighbors throughout the entire Garden State to live healthy and productive lifestyles.”
The exclusive partnership launches today with 100 students from Jersey City, NJ and Newark, NJ scheduled to attend the Red Bulls Training Facility for a day of soccer skill drills, nutrition stations, vision screenings, photo booths and player meet & greets. Additional community-focused activities in the future include free community forums on such topics as breast cancer and diabetes prevention, more soccer clinics at the team’s training facility at no cost for disadvantaged youths and Red Bulls/Horizon BCBSNJ employee joint volunteer activities for local non-profit organizations.
Key activation elements of the partnership will include:
- Discounts for Horizon BCBSNJ members on tickets for all home games throughout the season.
- The Horizon Healthy Zone within the stadium concourse at Red Bull Arena will offer health screenings and information about Horizon BCBSNJ products and services.
- The Horizon Healthy Goal Concession stand will provide healthy food options at the arena such as salads, grilled chicken and sandwiches. Healthy Goal is modeled after Horizon’s innovative Healthy Plate concession at minor league baseball stadiums throughout New Jersey.
- The Upper 90 Challenge presented by Horizon BCBSNJ will be part of the arena’s BULLevard and give fans the chance to kick soccer balls into a large goal to win prizes.
- Horizon BCBSNJ members will have the opportunity to attend the Red Bulls festival events as well as two Youth Soccer Festivals throughout the season.
- Horizon BCBSNJ will be the exclusive game sponsor on October 16 and will use the game to raise awareness for breast cancer and provide educational information.
About Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield New Jersey
Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, the state’s oldest and largest health insurer is a tax-paying, not-for-profit health service corporation, providing a wide array of medical, dental, and prescription insurance products and services. Horizon BCBSNJ is leading the transformation of health care in New Jersey by working with doctors and hospitals to deliver innovative, patient-centered programs that reward the quality, not quantity, of care patients receive. Learn more at www.HorizonBlue.com. Horizon BCBSNJ is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association serving more than 3.8 million members.
About New York Red Bulls
The New York Red Bulls are one of 20 teams in Major League Soccer (MLS). They are one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league since it's founding in 1996. They currently play their home matches at Red Bull Arena (RBA) in Harrison, New Jersey. RBA, a state-of-the-art 25,000-seat stadium, is widely regarded as the top soccer-specific stadium in North America. The club is owned by the Austrian beverage company Red Bull GmbH for which the team is named.
