Multiple NBA Teams Talking To Emirates Airline About Sponsorships, Jersey Patches

Multiple NBA teams are in discussions with Emirates airline for sponsorships deals that would include jersey patch advertising, according to sources. While no deals are imminent, sources said that talks with Dubai-based Emirates began after the league in April allowed teams to sell corporate advertising on team jerseys beginning with the '17-18 season. How many and which specific markets that would be part of an Emirates jersey patch deal have not been determined, but Emirates flies into 10 NBA markets. The specific value of each team deal is also unknown, but the NBA’s biggest markets are valuing their jersey patch inventory to be at least $10M, a source said. The NBA would not comment. Emirates has a broad international sports sponsorship portfolio, including jersey deals with La Liga club Real Madrid and EPL club Arsenal. The airline’s deal with Arsenal also includes naming rights to the team’s stadium. Emirates sponsors 22 international golf events and is an F1 global partner. The teams’ discussions with Emirates come after the 76ers in May signed the NBA’s first jersey sponsorship with StubHub for a reported $5M per year over three years. Any jersey deals with Emirates would last three years as part of the NBA’s jersey advertising guidelines that limit deals to three years and prohibit casino and liquor advertising on the jerseys. Under the agreement, NBA teams keep 50% of the revenue for their jersey patch deal, with the league collecting the other 50%. That money will be pooled and distributed evenly among all 30 NBA teams.