Emirates Airlines has signed a partnership with the Beirut Basketball Club, becoming the official airline and jersey sponsor for the next three seasons. This deal reaffirms the airline's long-standing commitment to supporting basketball in Lebanon and across the region, where the sport enjoys significant popularity, by connecting with fan bases from various areas and sharing their passion for the game.
The partnership between Emirates Airlines and the Beirut Basketball Club was announced during a special media event at the basketball court branded with both entities' logos, where the club's teams train and play their seasonal matches. Tamader Qutali, Emirates Airlines' Regional Director for the Middle East, stated: "As the official airline and jersey sponsor of the Beirut Basketball Club, Emirates Airlines strengthens its relationship and commitment to Lebanon and the game's fans. We look forward to the team's matches as they head abroad to participate in several regional and international tournaments, in addition to the beginning of the season where the players proudly wear jerseys featuring the 'Emirates Fly Better' logo."
Ms. Qutali added, "Together, we aim to inspire youth in the club to achieve their full potential and support their journey. Emirates Airlines has a long history of sponsoring basketball, starting with the UAE and Lebanese federations and Lebanese basketball clubs, and we are ready to work alongside the team and its players to enhance the sport in the region and support popular activities to develop the prospects of young sports talents."
Nadim Hakim, President of the Beirut Basketball Club, expressed gratitude to Emirates Airlines, led by Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airlines and the Group. He also thanked everyone who contributed to this achievement. He said, "The sponsorship of Emirates Airlines for the Beirut Club is a great honor for a Lebanese club, and its moral goals mean a lot to us beyond any other objective. The inclusion of the Beirut Club in the list of major clubs is proof of our fundamental goals, which reflect giving back to the community and nurturing talents from all age groups."
Under the agreement, Emirates Airlines receives numerous sponsorship rights, including placing its "Emirates Fly Better" logo on players' jerseys, both digital and static branding in the court for all men's and women's matches, television coverage and digital broadcasting, social media activation rights on the club's platforms, player interviews, and providing tickets for each match.
The club participates in various local and regional leagues and tournaments, with the men's team playing in the Lebanese Basketball League, the Lebanese Cup, the Arab Championship, and the Dubai International Championship. Recently, the Beirut team won the Lebanese men's league and was crowned champion of the Lebanese Cup. The women's team also competes in the Lebanese Basketball League and was crowned champion of the 23rd Arab Women's Club Championship for the third consecutive time.
Emirates Airlines supports the under-18 teams and the academy to help the club nurture a new generation of players and enrich talent from various categories in Lebanon. The Beirut Basketball Club was established in 2016 with the aim of fostering integration among Lebanese sports lovers. Emirates Airlines and the club have a successful relationship, as the airline has sponsored the club during its participation in the Dubai International Basketball Championship. The club was among the first teams to sport the airline's new logo, "Emirates Fly Better," on players' jerseys in 2019.
Emirates Airlines has been a strong supporter of basketball since 1991 when it entered into a partnership with the UAE Basketball Federation as a sponsor and official carrier. It has also sponsored the Dubai International Basketball Championship for nearly 30 years and organized the FIBA Basketball World Cup in the UAE in 2014. The teams sponsored by Emirates Airlines have won the Dubai International Basketball Championship seven times. Emirates Airlines has also sponsored the Lebanese Basketball League and some first-division teams through jersey support and corporate sponsorship.
