By Emily Goddard
September 19 – Queens Park Rangers has announced a multi-million pound shirt sponsorship deal with Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia – whose owner, Tony Fernandes, also completed a takeover of the English Premier League newcomers last month, that now sees him working alongside the Mittal family, who have retained their 33 per cent stake.
Malaysia Airlines will sponsor QPR’s home shirt for the next two seasons, while AirAsia will take pride of place on the R’s away and third jerseys for the same period.
Chief executive of the West London club Philip Beard expressed his delight at the new deal, commenting: “This is a unique and exciting venture for the football club.
“Attracting two major Asian companies to come on board shows the global appeal QPR has as a brand.
“We are extremely positive about building a thriving relationship with both businesses in a bid to broaden our exposure in Southeast Asia and further afield.
“This is a remarkable deal for the Club and brings further positive news following a highly successful few weeks since the takeover was finalised.”
The new home shirt, adorned with the Malaysia Airlines logo, was worn for the first time at last Monday’s (September 12) draw with Newcastle United at Loftus Road.
Malaysia Airlines’ executive director, Mohammed Rashdan Yusof, said: “Malaysia Airlines, or more commonly known by our acronym MAS, is elated to be associated with QPR’s ascendancy to the Premier League.
“Our sponsorship of the home jersey of QPR, together with AirAsia’s sponsorship of the away jersey, is a first for the Premier League.”
AirAsia’s regional head of commercial, Kathleen Tan, added: “We are absolutely thrilled with this partnership with QPR.
“This is a timely and significant relationship between two brands which are keen in taking on any challenges for the taste of success.
“Our logo on QPR’s away shirt does not only symbolise our energetic partnership, but also a joint-representation of the hard work and challenges that we went through – for AirAsia to be the world’s best low cost airline for three consecutive years and QPR to make a comeback into top-flight football for the first time in 15 years.
“This is a very meaningful moment for all of us, and we are very excited to jointly associate ourselves with a Club like QPR, as they have a remarkable history in English football and their unrelenting spirit reflects our own Asian endeavour for success.
“Collaboratively, AirAsia and Malaysia Airlines can certainly build a very strong following for the QPR brand in a very passionate football audience in Asia.”
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