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The Kentaro Group will continue its global expansion with the opening of an office in the United States of America and the appointment of football executive Jay Berhalter as President. The 38-year-old joins Kentaro from the U.S. Soccer Federation, where he served as Chief Operating Officer. “We are thrilled to open our office in Chicago and welcome one of the most knowledgeable U.S. football business executives to our organization,” said Kentaro joint-CEO Philipp Grothe. “We have great belief in the U.S. football market and have ambitious plans to further the growth of the sport in the States. With his unique experience and network of contacts, Jay will lead Kentaro’s expansion into North America.”

Berhalter boasts a wealth of experience in the world of football having worked for two World Cup Organizing Committees (1994 World Cup and 2003 Women’s World Cup), a Major League Soccer team, the U.S. Soccer Foundation and, since 2000, the U.S. Soccer Federation as the Chief Operating Officer, during which time the organization has grown rapidly, almost doubling its annual revenues. “The sport of football and U.S. Soccer have made incredible progress over the past decade,” Berhalter said. “The opportunity to continue to contribute to the growth of the sport in a new way will be a great challenge.”

As one of the world’s leading sports rights agencies, Kentaro markets the media rights of more than 20 international football federations, including England, Sweden and the USA, as well as over 30 top European soccer clubs, such as Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool. Kentaro also organises all friendly matches of the Brazil National Team and was responsible for taking the Seleçao to the U.S. in 2007 and 2008, staging matches in Boston, Chicago and Seattle. “Football is the world’s most popular game and the U.S. is just starting to warm up to the sport,” added Philippe Huber, Kentaro´s other joint-CEO. “We look forward to entering this market and helping the sport reach its full potential in the U.S.”