New York City Football Club takes flight with Etihad Airways partnership
as historic first home jersey is launched in New York
New York City FC, the new Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise, has announced a major partnership
with Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
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 in front of the Club’s fans as the historic 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 first 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.
Tim Pernetti said: “This is a milestone day for New York City Football Club. Our first home jersey is a
huge part of our identity and we are proud that our kit and our team will be so strongly associated
with a partner of the caliber of Etihad Airways.
“Today will be remembered as one of our most significant landmark moments as we build towards
our historic inaugural season, due to kick off this coming March.
“This is just the first day of what we firmly believe will be a lasting and fruitful relationship, both for
New York City Football Club and for Etihad Airways. We cannot wait to start working together to
provide a fantastic experience for New Yorkers.”
James Hogan 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.
“Etihad Airways has a strong tradition of leading community-based activities and initiatives with our
sports partners. We look forward to continuing this with New York City Football Club and its fans to
promote the sport and the values such as team-work, winning and the pursuit of excellence.”
The partnership agreement develops the hugely successful relationship between Etihad Airways and
New York City FC’s sister clubs in City Football Group. These include Barclays Premier League
Champions, Manchester City Football Club, and Australia’s A-League team, Melbourne City Football
Club.
The deal with New York City FC builds upon Etihad Airways’ position as official airline partner of MLS
which was announced in March this year. This has seen the Etihad Airways logo and its messages
beamed across LED pitch-side advertising and on MLS digital platforms throughout the 2014 season.
Etihad Airways currently operates non-stop flights between its home-based of Abu Dhabi and
Chicago, Los Angeles, New York JFK, Washington, D.C., and will launch flights to San Francisco next
Tuesday, November 18, and Dallas-Fort Worth on Wednesday, December 3.
The airline’s sponsorship portfolio includes Major League Soccer, the Nation’s Triathlon in
Washington, D.C., the Etihad Stadium in Melbourne, Melbourne City Football Club, Etihad Stadium in
Manchester, Manchester City Football Club, the GAA Hurling All Ireland Senior Championship, and
the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
- Ends -
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About New York City Football Club
On May 21, 2013 City Football Group, which also owns Manchester City Football Club, announced,
in partnership with the New York Yankees, the acquisition of Major League Soccer’s (MLS) 20th
football club. City Football Group is the majority owner of the new Club. NYCFC becomes the first
MLS Club whose home will be located within the five boroughs.
About Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways began operations in 2003, and in 2013 carried 11.5 million passengers. From its Abu
Dhabi base Etihad Airways flies to 111 existing or announced passenger and cargo destinations in
the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Americas. The airline has a fleet of 105
Airbus and Boeing aircraft, and more than 200 aircraft on firm order, including 71 Boeing 787s, 25
Boeing 777-X, 62 Airbus A350s and 10 Airbus A380s. Etihad Airways holds equity investments in
airberlin, Air Seychelles, Virgin Australia, Aer Lingus, Air Serbia and Jet Airways, and is in the process
of formalising equity investments in Alitalia and Swiss-based Etihad Regional*. For more
information, please visit: www.etihad.com *Operated by Darwin Airline