IE Business Daily Business news for the Inland Empire.
Longtime resident of the Inland Empire, entrepreneur, and philanthropist who tirelessly devotes his time to improving others’ quality of life, Jeff Burum has already achieved a large part of his American success story. However, to Mr. Burum, the story is incomplete until he has achieved all of his hopes and aspirations for the Inland Empire, which includes delivering a professional sports championship to the region’s residents.
According to Jay Prag, chief economist with the Southern California Business Coalition, high-profile sports franchises, especially ones with a track record of success, can be powerful drivers of economic growth in their respective regions.
“The visibility a championship-winning team creates is expensive and nearly impossible to try and buy,” said Prag. ”When I mention Green Bay, Wisconsin, can you associate anything else with it besides the Packers of the NFL? That’s an example of priceless branding. This region could surely benefit from that by attracting more businesses and economic activity.”
As managing partner of the Empire Strykers, a flagship member of the Major Arena Soccer League (MASL), Mr. Burum is working to build a team capable of bringing home a championship to the Empire region. In a bold move which significantly increases the Strykers’ chances of winning the league’s ultimate honor, the Strykers have signed the reigning MASL MVP, Luis Genaro Castillo Martinez.
Castillo is a household name in Mexico and easily recognizable thanks to his signature tuft of pink hair. On the arena turf, he is known for his speed and quick striking ability.
“Once he gets around the goal, he is a poacher,” said Jimmy Nordberg, the Strykers’ executive vice president. “He is opportunistic and fearless, which is what it takes to score at a high rate in indoor soccer with its smaller field and much more physical style of play. Genaro is a generational talent and one of the most clinical players I have ever seen in this game.”
Castillo has not only been a star of the MASL as a member of the Monterrey Flash but he has also excelled on the outdoor pitch while competing at the highest level in Mexico with Tigres UANL of Liga MX.
“We are thrilled that Genaro has agreed to join the Empire Strykers,” said Jeff Burum. “His presence, along with the other great members of the team we have assembled and our great coach, Paul Wright, puts us much closer to the ultimate goal of winning the championship.”
As originally envisioned by Mr. Burum, the Empire Strykers is not simply a professional indoor soccer club, but rather an integral part of the community through partnerships with local businesses and outreach programs with youth soccer clubs throughout the Inland Empire region. Given the MASL’s exceptional level of play and its geographic makeup, with 13 member organizations spread all-across North America, including Mexico, it is a major sports league in the United States. It’s ability to have internationally recognized talent such as Castillo compete on nonimmigrant work visas is crucial to raising the economic profile of the Inland Empire and its other member communities.
The Empire Strykers will be hosting the fifth edition of the arena soccer rivalry between the United States and Mexico on Sunday, September 29 in which Castillo will join fellow Strykers teammates Marco Fabián, Miguel Ponce, and Brandon Gomez to play for Mexico.
For the second time, the high-profile event will feature a clash of the two countries’ women’s sides as well as their men’s sides. Tickets to the prestigious doubleheader at Ontario’s Toyota Arena start at $20 and may be purchased online.
