Etihad Airways teams up with Washington sports franchises

Abu Dhabi airline Etihad Airways has become a legacy partner and the exclusive airline partner of NHL ice hockey team Washington Capitals and NBA and WNBA basketball teams Washington Wizards and Washington Mystics under an agreement with their operating group Monumental Sports & Entertainment.

Etihad will benefit from a variety of branding opportunities at the teams’ Verizon Center home and feature in a number of multimedia promotions, while collaborating with MSE on several community initiatives.

Terms for the partnership, which expands an involvement in American sport for Etihad that includes serving as the official airline partner of Major League Soccer, were not disclosed. The airline began flying to Washington D.C. in 2013.

“Etihad Airways is a prestigious international brand known for its hospitality, service and global reach,” MSE founder and chairman Ted Leonsis said. “As a legacy partner, Etihad Airways provides that official connection to our diverse and international community and the growing interest in sports worldwide. Our teams are international, our players are international, our city is international and our partnership with Etihad builds on those commonalities.”