Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker, flanked by FC Barcelona President Sandro Rosell (left) and club Vice-President for Economy and Strategy Javier Faus in the Catalonian capital.
Barcelona: Qatar Airways will enter into a strategic partnership with football giants FC Barcelona that sees the airline’s brand name appear on team shirts from the beginning of the 2013-14 season. The three-year agreement with the former winners of the Champions League will be effective from July 1, 2013.
Qatar Airways will become the club’s Global Main Partner, signaling the first time the airline has engaged in a sponsorship with a major soccer club, the company said in a statement.
Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said it will be a unique partnership between the World’s Best Club and the Best Airline in the World, describing the alignment with Barca as a “fitting match for both organisations, which will elevate the brands to a new platform on the global stage and sharing the same values — passionate about being the best at what we do in our respective fields.” The Peninsula had reported on March 1 that the agreement was to be unveiled yesterday. The contract with the Foundation was for €30m to be paid in five seasons, until June 2016. In addition, the club was to pocket €15m through commercial rights, with the total amount reaching €170m (QR809m), the report said.
The Peninsula/QNA
