Abu Dhabi airline Etihad Airways is to be announced as the
latest sponsor of the US’s Major League Soccer (MLS), in a sign of growing ties
between the emirate and US sport, the Wall Street Journal said.
The deal, in which financial terms have not been disclosed,
comes less than a year after Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, a majority
owner of England’s Manchester City, unveiled plans to launch New York City FC.
That team is set to begin playing next year.
MLS is aiming to become one of the world’s top soccer
leagues by 2022 and has in the past attracted talent such as England’s David
Beckham, as well as commercial sponsors including Red Bull and Pepsi.
Etihad Airways is currently the primary sponsor of
Manchester City.
A spokesperson for Etihad Airways did not immediately
respond to Arabian Business’s request for comment.
Follow us on
