DPS hopes to score touchdown with Chicago Bears

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — The Dr Pepper Snapple Group has inked a multiyear deal with a National Football League franchise.

DPS said it joins the Chicago Bears as a Hall of Fame partner and will be the exclusively provide of carbonated soft drinks and other beverages at Chicago's Soldier Field, where fans will enjoy Dr Pepper, RC Cola and more of the company's leading flavor brands for the next seven years. In addition, DPS also will be the title partner of Bears training camp and have in-stadium and game day branding elements in the south courtyard at Soldier Field, as well as work with the team on local community outreach, advertising and retail promotions.

DPS's relationship with the Chicago Bears is the company's first category-exclusive vending and pouring rights deal with an NFL franchise and one of the company's biggest professional sports team sponsorships.

"We are thrilled with the opportunity to partner with the Bears, and we are looking forward to being part of a one-of-a-kind game day experience at Soldier Field, one of the most venerable and hallowed sports venues in the U.S.," said Joe Rowland, SVP and general manager for DPS's central business unit based in Northlake, Ill. "This deal enables us to promote trial and awareness of our leading brands with some of the best fans in the world while further strengthening the remarkable ties our company and our brands have to the Chicago area."