TOCA signs multiyear partnership with NWSL’s Thompson sisters

The GIST: Soccer tech company TOCA announced an extensive multiyear partnership with Angel City FC teammates (and sisters!) Alyssa and Gisele Thompson yesterday. While the Thompsons have secured groundbreaking deals in the past, this marks their first deal that includes an equity stake. Two can play that game.

The company: TOCA utilizes its uniquely calibrated soccer tech across its 40 indoor training facilities, the most for any North American company. In 2022, the company signed a 10-year deal to become the MLS’ official training partner, while also making the men’s soccer league an official shareholder.

The details: While investment details for the new partnership haven’t been disclosed, the Thompson sisters will represent the TOCA brand and encourage women and girls to participate in soccer at facilities that utilize the tech-informed training program.

The sisters: The teenage siblings are no strangers to historic firsts. Alyssa and Gisele were the first high school athletes to sign NIL deals with Nike in 2022, and Alyssa was the first high school player to go No. 1 overall in the 2023 NWSL draft.

• Beyond TOCA and Nike, the Thompsons also have a sponsorship deal with Stifel to promote the financial company’s focus on empowering teens and young adults through their fiscal decisions.

Zooming out: There’s a reason cutting-edge brands are gravitating toward the Thompson sisters. They’ve carved out names for themselves with their talent, but have also uniquely leveraged this into meaningful partnerships at a young age.

• Companies like TOCA and Stifel are playing the long game by involving two young phenoms before their stars rise even higher. It’s a safe bet to sign generational talent early — think Nike’s lucrative 27-year relationship with Tiger Woods that began when he was 20. Just do it.