The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) have announced a deal with their first-ever official banking partner, Ally.

The partnership will involve all ten of the league’s teams sporting the Ally logo on their shirt sleeves.

On top of this, players will directly receive a portion of the sponsorship’s fees, set up through the ‘Player Impact Focus Programme’.

Ally is also expected to work with the league’s officials on initiatives relating to diversity, inclusion, and equality.

Details on the length and financial terms of the deal are yet to be made public.

NWSL commissioner, Lisa Baird, said it is a unique and exciting opportunity.

“Ally is the perfect fit for our league and I’m thrilled to welcome them to the NWSL family,” Baird said.

“The NWSL and Ally are game changers in our respective industries and the opportunity to showcase our shared values and commitment to leveling the playing field is an extraordinarily unique proposition in the world of sports sponsorship,” she said.

Portland Thorns owner and chief executive officer, Merritt Paulson, said the partnership displays the importance of the league.

“Ally’s commitment to growing the women’s game alongside the NWSL is another indication of the support this league and the players deserve,” Paulson said.

“Having been with the league since its inception, I am both encouraged by how far the NWSL has come and excited to see this partnership push our sport forward in the coming years,” he said.

This deal follows the recent announcement of insurance company Nationwide joining the league in a partnership, along with existing sponsors Secret, Nike, Budweiser, and Verizon.

The 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup kicks off on April 9, 2021, with a rematch of the 2020 final between Houston and Chicago.