June 3 – Dubai’s Emirates Airline expects to be signing its next big football sponsorship with a club outside Europe, according to Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the airline’s chairman and chief executive.
Last week’s deal with Real Madrid follows high profile big money deals with Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan, Hamburg and Olympiacos FC. Sheikh Ahmed has now been quoted as saying: “Maybe you will see us in another continent soon, but I don’t think we will be announcing it yet. I think we are in the major top cities within Europe and we are really well represented in terms of brand sponsorship.”
According to Sheikh Ahmed said there are no immediate plans for stadium naming rights with another club. Whether the new deal will be in the USA is a matter of conjecture, but according to Sheikh Ahmed the decision will be in the interests of the Emirates and Dubai, not his personal interests:
“It’s what would be the best for the company. For example I love fishing, but I don’t think you will see us sponsoring a fishing tournament – although it would be much cheaper.”
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