Four Points Kicks Off Sponsorship of Major League Soccer
Becoming Official Hotel of 2010 MLS Cup Playoffs
WHITE PLAINS, NY - November 10, 2010 - There's a new player in the world of Major League Soccer: Four Points by Sheraton.
The fast-growing hotel brand from Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) announced today it will become an official sponsor of Major League Soccer's postseason, which includes the 2010 MLS Cup playoffs and MLS Cup 2010, the league's championship game.
Four Points delights guests with everything they need to travel the way they like: timeless and stylish design, comfortable beds, free high-speed Internet access, free bottled water, and a delicious breakfast with great coffee. It's all combined with great "can-do" service, making Four Points hotels a massive hit with business and leisure travelers worldwide.
As part of the wide-ranging partnership, Four Points will become the Official Hotel partner of the 2010 MLS Cup Playoffs and MLS Cup 2010. North American soccer fans will gain access to special offers via MLSsoccer.com, Major League Soccer's official web site, and select club web sites.
The sponsorship will deliver exclusive Four Points promotions to fans via video board announcements at MLS Cup, which takes place November 21 at Toronto's BMO Field - home of Toronto FC, which has sold out every match since entering the league in 2007. In Toronto, the 152-room Four Points Toronto Lakeshore will become Major League Soccer central for fans. Guests can book rooms starting as low as $135 (USD) per night via a special offer available at www.fourpoints.com/MLSCupfanhotel. And, through Thursday, November 11, one pair of VIP tickets plus pre-game field passes (including airfare and accommodations) can be won by going to www.bit.ly/FourPointsFB and entering to win.
"As the Four Points brand continues to aggressively expand around the world, we wanted to capitalize on soccer's tremendous appeal and align ourselves with a sport that resonates with travelers globally," said Brian McGuinness, Starwood's Senior Vice President of Specialty Select Brands for Starwood. "The excitement of Major League Soccer playoff games is an ideal fit for Four Points' business and leisure guests worldwide."
Four Points' soccer kickoff comes as the sizzling brand continues a fast-paced global expansion. Four Points will open 10 new hotels - in six countries on three continents - before the end of the year. With the openings, Four Points will command a presence in 28 countries, up from 24 just this year.
About Major League Soccer
Headquartered in New York City, Major League Soccer is the top-flight professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. MLS features many stars from the U.S., Canada, and around the world. MLS kicked off its 15th season on March 25, 2010. MLS features 16 clubs each playing 30 regular season matches in 2010. Those teams include Chicago Fire; Colorado Rapids; Chivas USA; Columbus Crew; D.C. United; FC Dallas; Houston Dynamo; Kansas City Wizards; Los Angeles Galaxy; New York Red Bulls; New England Revolution; 2009 MLS Cup Champion Real Salt Lake; San Jose Earthquakes; Seattle Sounders FC; Toronto FC; and, in their inaugural season, Philadelphia Union. Expansion teams in Vancouver and Portland will debut in 2011. For more information about MLS, log on to the League's official Web site at www.MLSsoccer.com.
About Four Points by Sheraton
Four Points by Sheraton, with over 150 great hotels in 24 countries, offers the self-sufficient traveler a new kind of style and comfort combined with a "can-do" service - all at an honest value. Four Points by Sheraton hotels are everywhere the traveler needs to be - located in convenient, easy-to-reach locations close to major airports, suburban centers, urban hot spots and resort and vacation destinations.
Guests at Four Points by Sheraton can earn free nights at any Starwood Hotels & Resorts property - the world's most sought-after collection of hotels - through the Preferred Guest program. To learn more, visit www.spg.com.
About Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with 1000 properties in nearly 100 countries and territories with 145,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis(R), The Luxury Collection(R), W(R), Westin(R), Le Meridien(R), Sheraton(R), Four Points(R) by Sheraton, and the recently launched Aloft(R), and Element SM. Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
