Etihad Airways has announced that it has once again teamed up with Mumbai Indians for the ongoing 10th edition of the Vivo Indian Premier League (IPL) T20 cricket tournament. The Abu Dhabi-based airline is lending its support for the fourth year running to one of the most successful franchise teams in the IPL and one of India’s biggest sports brands since the tournament was launched in 2008, the carrier has said in a press statement.
The IPL is the richest sporting franchise in India, with Mumbai Indians featuring a mix of both international experience and young talent. Mumbai Indians were crowned champions of the 2013 and 2015 editions of the Indian Premier League. The squad is once again captained by Indian batsman Rohit Sharma and coached for the first time by Sri Lanka’s former captain Mahela Jayawardena.
Patrick Pierce, Etihad Airways vice-president – marketing partnerships, said: “We are delighted to once again partner with Mumbai Indians for what promises to be an exciting and thrilling tournament over the next six weeks.
“Etihad Airways enjoys a strong sporting tradition. Cricket captures the hearts and minds of people all over India, and in indeed in many parts of the world, so we are pleased to be associated with the IPL watched by millions of cricket lovers globally on TV.”
A spokesman for Mumbai Indians added, “Mumbai Indians are delighted to have support from Etihad Airways and we are really excited on the season ahead, looking forward to enthralling fans with some great cricket.”
Etihad Airways’ logo will appear exclusively on the back of shirts worn by the Mumbai Indians in all home and away matches. Under the sponsorship agreement, Etihad Airways will also enjoy extensive branding and messaging beamed across LED pitch-side advertising and on giant screens in Mumbai Indians’ home matches.
Etihad Airways operates three flights daily between its Abu Dhabi hub and Mumbai.
