New York City FC, the new Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise, has announced a major partnership with Etihad Airways. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
The Abu Dhabi-based airline becomes the club’s principal partner, which will see its branding on all of the team’s playing jerseys.
In conjunction with the uniform sponsorship, Etihad Airways also becomes one of the club’s founding partners.
The announcement was made as the first home jersey, which is now available for pre-sale, was unveiled for the first time in New York City.
Tim Pernetti, Chief Business Officer of New York City FC and James Hogan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways, joined the club’s marquee player, David Villa, at New York’s Terminal 5 venue for the announcement.
The five-year deal is New York City FC’s most significant partnership to date and will see a substantial presence for Etihad Airways’ brand across the team’s playing kits, on game days at the club’s first home, Yankee Stadium, and across its digital platforms.
The wide-ranging partnership will also provide Etihad Airways with unique benefits such as player appearances and access to the team’s training sessions.
The partnership is the third between Etihad and New York City FC’s sister clubs in City Football Group – Manchester City FC, and Australia’s A-League team, Melbourne City FC.
Etihad Airways is also the official airline partner of MLS, which was sees the airline’s logo and its messages beamed across LED pitch-side advertising and on MLS digital platforms throughout the 2014 season.
Etihad operates non-stop flights between Abu Dhabi and Chicago, Los Angeles, New York JFK, Washington, DC, and will launch flights to San Francisco next Tuesday, November 18, and Dallas-Fort Worth on Wednesday, December 3.
