Dubai: Football legend Pele has welcomed Emirates airline’s sponsorship deal with the reformed New York Cosmos, which was sealed this week.
The Cosmos announced that Emirates would become the jersey-front sponsor of the club as well as a Founding Partner of the team in their North American reboot season. The announcement was made by Cosmos’ Honorary President Pele, club Chairman Seamus O’Brien and Nabeel Sultan, Emirates Divisional Senior Vice-President of Revenue Optimization and Distribution, at a news conference at the Four Seasons Hotel in New York.
“This is a big day for the future of the New York Cosmos,” Pele said. “It’s wonderful to be part of such a renowned soccer family.”
The Fly Emirates logo will adorn the legendary Cosmos green and white shirts, beginning with the 2013 North American Soccer League (NASL) season. The jerseys will make their debut on August 3 in the team’s opening match against the Fort Lauderdale Strikers.
O’Brien said: “We are delighted that we could create this partnership and bring such a world-renowned organisation to United States soccer for the first time. There’s no bigger corporate supporter of sports, and soccer in particular, than Emirates. We’re proud and honoured that the Cosmos are part of their plans for America and New York in particular.”
Sultan added: “New York has a rich tradition of sport and Emirates proudly supports some of the world’s top soccer teams, including AC Milan, Hamburger SV, Arsenal FC, Olympiacos FC, and Paris Saint-Germain, plus the recently announced shirt sponsorship of Real Madrid just last week. Therefore, choosing to support the relaunch of the Cosmos back to this amazing city was an obvious choice.
“As with our sponsorship of the US Open tennis tournament, Emirates views our partnership with the Cosmos as a way to thank the people of New York for making Emirates one of the world’s fastest-growing airlines. Along with their fans across the region, we look forward to watching the Cosmos reclaim their title as New York’s legendary soccer team.”
Emirates will benefit from significant branding at Cosmos matches in and around Hofstra University’s Shuart Stadium, as well as online through the Cosmos’ social and digital media channels. Additionally, Emirates becomes the presenting sponsor of the Cosmos Copa, a tournament played in New York City between local, community-based “national teams”.
