Major League Soccer newcomer New York City FC has agreed a five-year deal to make Abu Dhabi-based airline Etihad Airways its principal partner.
Etihad’s branding will appear on the front of the team’s playing jerseys and it also becomes a founding partner of New York City FC.
The airline will also benefit from a substantial presence at New York City home matches at Yankee Stadium and across the club’s digital platforms.
Additionally, Etihad will be granted player appearances and access to training sessions as part of promotional activities.
New York City FC is part of the City Football Group, meaning it is an affiliate club of English Premier League champion Manchester City and similarly newly launched Australian A-
League team Melbourne City. Manchester City and Melbourne City both have shirt sponsorship agreements with Etihad, which also holds the naming rights to the former’s Etihad Stadium.
In March, Etihad agreed a deal to become the official airline partner of the MLS. James Hogan, president and chief executive of Etihad Airways, said: “Etihad Airways has a strong affinity with New York as it was the airline’s first US destination to be launched in 2006. We are delighted to be able to further strengthen our ties with the city through this partnership with New York City Football Club.”