CARY, NC (March 9, 2022) - The North Carolina Football Club announced today a multi-year strategic partnership with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC), a not-for-profit North Carolina company focused on making health care better, simpler and more affordable for the communities in which they serve. Blue Cross NC is now the official health insurance partner of the North Carolina Football Club. 

“North Carolina FC and NCFC Youth have a long history of working with Blue Cross NC, and we’re excited to announce our new partnership, which will build on the history of supporting the Youth to Pro program in the region,” said Francie Gottsegen, President of the North Carolina Football Club. “The partnership will also showcase powerful female leaders in the community, alongside NC Courage and NCFC Youth players, discussing their journeys and what has shaped their views on leadership. We look forward to working with Blue Cross NC and NCFC Youth on this exciting new initiative.”

As part of the multi-year deal, the club will spearhead a program entitled ‘Courage in Leadership,’ which includes video series highlighting North Carolina FC Youth players, North Carolina Courage players, and leading female executives from the Triangle, with the objective of celebrating women in leadership positions, in the community, and around the state. The series will also aim to embrace and grow gender diversity in both business leadership and in athletics. 

“Blue Cross NC is committed to gender equity in sports and in leadership, and the Courage in Leadership initiative is a great opportunity to celebrate the women in our communities,” said Reagan Greene, Vice President of Marketing and Community Engagement at Blue Cross NC. “Inclusive, equitable environments help lead to healthy communities and we are proud to partner with the North Carolina Football Club to empower more women into future leadership, helping our communities to thrive.”  

The North Carolina Courage will open their season with a match against NJ/NY Gotham FC on Saturday, March 19 at 7 pm ET at WakeMed Soccer Park as part of the third annual NWSL Challenge Cup. Tickets and additional information about the tournament can be found here. 

About NCFC:

The North Carolina Football Club is the largest youth-to-pro club in the nation and is the parent organization of North Carolina FC and North Carolina Courage (NWSL) and North Carolina FC Youth. The organization is owned by local entrepreneur, Steve Malik, and managed by North Carolina native and longtime soccer executive Curt Johnson. North Carolina Football Club was established in 2016 to bring the highest levels of men’s and women’s professional soccer to the state. For more information on the club, please visit www.NorthCarolinaFC.com.

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina:

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) is committed to making health care better, simpler and more affordable. We have been driving better health in North Carolina since 1933, working to tackle our communities’ greatest health challenges. Blue Cross NC serves its customers and communities of more than 4.2 million members, including approximately 1.1 million on behalf of other Blue Plans. Blue Cross NC is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Visit Blue Cross NC online at www.bluecrossnc.com. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.