Telemundo 48/NBC Bay Area Partnership
Shared Purpose, Greater Reach: Telemundo/NBC Bay Area and America SCORES
Part 2 in our Partnership Series
When Telemundo 48 and NBC Bay Area set out to create meaningful community programming around soccer and the FIFA World Cup 2026™, they knew they needed a partner whose mission aligned with their own vision for connecting deeply with their audience, especially youth, and deliberately within their audience’s own communities. They found an ideal partner in America SCORES Bay Area. With Telemundo’s and NBC Bay Area’s media reach and coverage, SCORES could share the power of soccer, poetry, and service learning in youth development far more broadly. And Telemundo/NBC Bay Area could engage directly with the people and communities they serve.
"We're here to amplify their incredible work and help America SCORES grow," says Jay dela Cruz, Director of Community Engagement at NBC Bay Area. "A rising tide lifts all boats, and we hope America SCORES leads the way."
That spirit of mutual support and shared mission—elevating youth soccer and youth development—while supporting kids, families, and communities—has been the foundation of this dynamic partnership. Telemundo’s support has included media coverage, event logistics, and direct collaboration, magnifying SCORES’ mission and reach.
What has emerged is an energetic and comprehensive media collaboration that further establishes SCORES as a widely recognized leader in youth development across the Bay Area and illuminates Telemundo/NBC Bay Area’s heart, values, and local engagement. And that collaboration has only heightened as the Bay Area steps up to host the 2026 World Cup. In addition to regularly sharing stories about SCORES poet-athletes and SCORES events, Telemundo has stepped up to be the official media partner of the SCORES Legacy Gala, held in May in San Jose, honoring the 1994 U.S. Men’s National Soccer team.
And now the partnership between Telemundo/NBC Bay Area has expanded nationally, engaging SCORES and Telemundo affiliates in multiple cities with news coverage and hosting a national Poet-Athlete competition and celebration, Atletas Poetas, that attracted more than 33,000 entries. More on that in the sections that follow, and a spoiler —an 11-year-old SCORES Poet-Athlete from Watsonville, Santiago Corona, was named one of two national winners.
The Copita Tournament Series
The heart of this partnership beats through the “Copita” soccer tournaments, vibrant community celebrations that blend soccer, poetry, culture, and family engagement. Starting in May 2025 with the West Contra Costa Copita, these events have become signature moments in the SCORES calendar and Telemundo’s schedule.
The Copitas bring together school districts, local schools, volunteers from nearby high schools and colleges, and community service programs to celebrate soccer, open up opportunities for kids, and strengthen a shared sense of community—a kind of mini World Cup
Throughout 2025, SCORES teamed up with NBC Bay Area, Telemundo 48, and NBC Sports to host three major Copitas—one in West Contra Costa County and two in San Rafael. Each gathering drew more than 1,000 children and family members and featured not only soccer matches, but also poetry performances, activities, music, and community resource fairs with other nonprofits and summer programs. In 2026, Copitas are planned for San Jose, West Contra Costa County, San Rafael between April and June.
Erika Diaz, Senior Director of Community and Marketing at Telemundo, is the creator and lead producer of Copitas. She’s been a key driver of the partnership between Telemundo and America SCORES. The Copitas, Erika explains, extend the World Cup's joy into deeper community and school connections. “They’re a way for us to get in touch with the school districts and to learn more about how kids are passionate about soccer, and about any sport. When we first created them, we wanted to know more about what the districts need and how we could help. Collaborating and working in partnership with the schools and with organizations like SCORES has made all that possible,” she says.
And the Copitas captivate kids. “We love to see the kids, the energy in the scene. The kids know someone is going to be there for them if they don’t have their shin guards or the equipment to continue their passion. And they’re so much fun!” she says. Additional events are planned for 2026 in West Contra Costa, San Jose, and San Rafael.
The "Athleta Y Letras" Series
Beyond the pitch, the Telemundo/SCORES partnership has spotlighted the imagination and verbal creativity of SCORES Poet‑Athletes. On the ongoing “Athleta Y Letras” (Athletes and Letters) segments, students step in front of the camera to share their own poetry on Telemundo. Gabriella Gil from Bayview Elementary in West Contra Costa and Crissler V., who appeared alongside her brother and mother, have taken part in interviews, offering viewers a vivid look at the transformative power of the SCORES model.
See Chrisler’s story here.
Telemundo x Women's Sports Foundation: Empowering the Next Generation of Girls
In November of 2025, Telemundo and the Women’s Sports Foundation hosted a Girls’ Soccer Clinic for 100 girls from SCORES partner schools and community groups. The clinic included soccer drills, panel discussions, giveaways, and media coverage.
The "Tu Momento. Tu Jugada" Tour
In December 2025, Santa Clara was selected as the national launch site for Telemundo's "Tu Momento. Tu Jugada" (Your Moment. Your Play.) tour. Tu Momento. Tu Jugada, a nationwide community engagement initiative leading up to the 2026 World Cup, highlights how sport shapes leaders, builds character, and brings people together. Through July 2026, the series focuses on soccer, using the game to tell stories of leadership, discipline, teamwork, unity, and inspiration.
In December, nearly 400 students from Santa Clara Unified School District, Alum Rock Union School District, and SCORES participated in the kickoff event at Santa Clara Youth Soccer Park. SCORES Poet-Athletes Leonardo and Andrea Molina performed poetry during the opening ceremony alongside regional and national leaders, while live and taped segments aired on multiple Telemundo programs, including Acceso Total, La Mesa Caliente, Al Rojo Vivo, and several NBC Bay Area newscasts.
The event featured soccer clinics with the San Jose Earthquakes and Oakland Roots, as well as interactive experiences in the Telemundo Mobile Experience bus. After the World Cup, the series will continue as a year‑round platform, sharing local stories that show how sport drives real change in our communities.
Atletas Poetas: A National Stage for SCORES Voices
And in the spring of 2026, what began as a local partnership between SCORES and Telemundo and NBC Bay Area has now expanded to include SCORES affiliates across the country. In March 2026, SCORES and Telemundo launched Atletas Poetas (Poet-Athletes), a national poetry celebration bringing together soccer and spoken word ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ to spotlight student voices from communities across the country.
The competition was evaluated by a distinguished panel of judges, including award-winning author and poet Jennifer Maritza McCauley, writer and performer Melania Luisa Marte, and interdisciplinary artist and curator Kenya Bullock.
Two students—Heyzell Maldonado, from San Rafael, and Santiago Corona, from Watsonville— were named the Bay Area winners of Atletas Poetas. Telemundo showcased the two Poet-Athletes and their poems here.
Bay Area winner Santiago, along with New York SCORES Poet-Athlete Emiley, then went on to top 33,000 students nationwide to win the national Atletas Poetas competition. Telemundo and NBC Area captured his story here. The two national winners will be celebrated at the Soccer Legacy Gala on May 8, 2026, in San Jose. The event honors the legacy of the 1994 World Cup and the ongoing work of SCORES to create opportunities for young people through soccer, poetry, and service.
“As momentum builds toward the FIFA World Cup 2026™, Atletas Poetas highlights the voices of a new generation shaped by both sport and storytelling. We’re proud to showcase their work and to help elevate voices that reflect the powerful connection between culture, language, and sport.”
Throughout the poetry competition, Telemundo-owned stations amplified the voices and stories of participating students across television, streaming, and digital platforms, highlighting the power of storytelling and sport to bring communities together. Participating Telemundo-owned stations are: Telemundo 47 Nueva York / WNJU; Telemundo 52 Los Angeles / KVEA; Telemundo 51 Miami / WSCV; Telemundo 48 Área de la Bahía / KSTS; Telemundo Boston / WNEU; Telemundo Chicago / WSNS; and Telemundo 44 Washington, D.C. / WZDC. Dedicated segments featuring the national winners aired on Telemundo 47 Nueva York and Telemundo 48 Área de la Bahía.
“This next phase of Atletas Poetas highlights what SCORES strives to achieve every day, empowering youth to find their voice, build community, and grow as leaders through soccer, poetry, and service. Our partnership with Telemundo helps amplify that impact, giving these young people the opportunity to share their stories and connect with audiences nationwide.”
Santiago Corona
Measuring Bay Area Impact: Reach, Recognition, and Resources
4,500+ students and families impacted annually (across multiple events)
Indirectly affected (families, community, media reach): Several thousand more
National exposure through the Tu Momento tour and associated programming
Enriched partnerships with school districts, including West Contra Costa, San Rafael, and San Jose Unified.
Community resource connections linking families to summer camps, youth programs, and local services through Copita events and other initiatives.
Increased Visibility: Telemundo segments have highlighted local poet-athletes and field projects, bringing positive media attention to SCORES’ work in the Bay Area.
Expanded Access: The partnership has enabled more students, especially from underserved communities, to participate in soccer clinics, tournaments, and literacy events.
Strategic Collaborations: Telemundo’s involvement has attracted additional partners (e.g., NBCUniversal, Women’s Sports Foundation, Oakland Roots, San Jose Earthquakes), multiplying the impact of each event.
Empowerment & Representation: Events have focused on empowering girls and youth of color, providing role models and opportunities for public recognition.
A Partnership Built on Shared Values
Jay dela Cruz doesn't talk about this partnership in abstract terms. "As someone who grew up in a single-parent home, I see America SCORES doing what my Big Brothers and Big Sisters mentor did — helping shape and mold young people," he says. "We hope our coverage will motivate people to coach, provide sponsorship, volunteer, and support kids who need guidance."
That personal investment shows up in how the partnership actually operates. Telemundo and NBC Bay Area don't just cover SCORES — they show up for Copitas, amplify student voices on air, and draw on their community networks to bring SCORES' mission to more Bay Area families. Plans for 2026 include additional Copitas, continued "Atleta Y Letras" segments, and deeper collaboration as the World Cup draws closer.
"We're different companies, but we're one organization with three entities under one roof," dela Cruz says. "We want to share SCORES' story and spread their mission to everyone."
More proof of a central idea: When organizations share a real investment in the same communities, the work reaches further than any single one could alone.
This is the second in our Partnership Series highlighting the collaborations that fuel SCORES' impact across the Bay Area. Stay tuned for upcoming features on our partnerships with school districts, corporate sponsors, and community organizations.
Photos taken by SCORES Communications Manager, Jessi Grant.
To learn more about partnering with America SCORES Bay Area, contact Ange Bailey, SCORES Chief Engagement Officer at abailey@americascores.org