Major Arena Soccer League Launches Play With Heart Initiative to Promote CPR Training During American Heart Month

The Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) has launched Play with Heart, a monthlong, league-wide initiative encouraging fans to learn Hands-Only CPR and join the American Heart Association's Nation of Lifesavers™ movement, which intends to double survival rates by 2030. Launching during American Heart Month, Play with Heart supports the American Heart Association's CPR awareness outreach by using MASL's national platform and each team's regional reach to educate communities, inspire action and help save lives. Throughout February, MASL clubs will hold in-arena activations and share educational resources and public service messages encouraging fans to learn and practice compression-only CPR.

According to the American Heart Association, most people who suffer cardiac arrest outside a hospital don't survive often because they don't receive CPR. The Heart Association, a relentless force changing the future of health for everyone everywhere, is the worldwide leader in resuscitation science, education and training, and publishes the official scientific guidelines for CPR. According to Heart Association data, 9 out of every 10 people who experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital die, in part because they do not receive immediate CPR more than half of the time. CPR, especially if performed immediately, can double or triple a person's chance of survival.

"We are grateful for efforts that help more people feel confident recognizing a cardiac emergency and taking action," said Nancy Brown, chief executive officer of the American Heart Association. "Each year, hundreds of thousands of cardiac arrests occur outside of hospitals, and immediate CPR can double or even triple a person's chance of survival. That's why we are committed to growing the Nation of Lifesavers, so more people feel prepared and ready to act when it matters most." Hands-Only CPR can be equally effective as traditional CPR in the first few minutes of emergency response and is simple to learn: call 911 if you see a teen or adult suddenly collapse and then push hard and fast in the center of the chest.

As part of the initiative, each MASL team will designate one Play with Heart game during the month. Players will wear commemorative red armbands to highlight the campaign, and eight team-signed armbands will be auctioned by the league, with proceeds benefiting the American Heart Association. Additional player-worn armbands will be distributed locally, with details shared by individual teams. Scheduled Play with Heart games include matches throughout February featuring teams like Utica City FC, Empire Strykers, St. Louis Ambush, Baltimore Blast, San Diego Sockers, Kansas City Comets, Tacoma Stars, and Milwaukee Wave.

"Indoor soccer is fast, physical and driven by community support - just like the response needed in a cardiac emergency," said Keith Tozer, commissioner of the Major Arena Soccer League. "Play with Heart is about helping fans understand that quick action, including Hands-Only CPR, can save a life and is simple to do." During the campaign, MASL clubs will also spotlight heart health messaging during games, on broadcasts and across digital channels. The initiative reinforces a shared commitment to player safety, fan well-being and positive community impact - on and off the field.

The American Heart Association provides extensive resources for those interested in learning CPR techniques. Individuals can learn how to save a life in just 90 seconds by visiting heart.org/nation to join the Nation of Lifesavers. Additional Hands-Only CPR resources are available at www.heart.org/HandsOnlyCPR, where people can access educational materials about this life-saving technique. The initiative represents a significant partnership between professional sports and public health advocacy, leveraging the MASL's platform to address a critical public health issue where immediate bystander intervention can dramatically improve survival outcomes for cardiac emergencies occurring outside medical facilities.