Knicks’ new jersey patch to feature Experience Abu Dhabi logo, furthering tie between MSG and UAE - The Athletic

The New York Knicks will have a new jersey patch sponsor this season. Experience Abu Dhabi, an organization that promotes tourism in the United Arab Emirates capital, will have its logo on Knicks jerseys, as well as on its warmup jackets and shooting shirts.

The deal will further the relationship between Madison Square Garden and the UAE, as well as between the NBA and UAE. MSG said this week that it will open the second version of The Sphere in Abu Dhabi. The Sphere and MSG are both controlled by James Dolan.

Experience Abu Dhabi named the Official Patch Partner of the New York Knicks.

 Full press release: https://t.co/1xvulISmXR pic.twitter.com/Pc4e4AWePa

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) October 17, 2024

The Sphere in Las Vegas was a $2.3 billion project, and the venue has been used to host events such as the NHL Draft and UFC 306. The Sphere was the team’s jersey patch sponsor in 2023-24.

The NBA has expanded its business ties with the UAE in recent years. Emirates Airlines sponsors the NBA Cup. The league has played preseason games there for three straight years. Team USA has played exhibition games there.

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The league has drawn criticism for those business dealings. Activists have accused the UAE of human rights violations and the NBA has been alleged of being complicit in sportswashing.

“We’re happy to deal directly with the issues. Nothing these days is completely clean,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said earlier this month about criticisms from human rights groups. “We wouldn’t say that it’s not fair to be critical or have contrary points of view. We came to the decision collectively as a league that by expanding our game internationally, that it’s positive and it’s part of our mission to create health and wellness around the sport of basketball.”

The deal between MSG and Experience Abu Dhabi will also include advertising for the company before, during and after Knicks games on MSG Network.

(Photo via New York Knicks)

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Mike Vorkunov is the national basketball business reporter for The Athletic. He covers the intersection of money and basketball and covers the sport at every level. He previously spent three-plus seasons as the New York Knicks beat writer. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeVorkunov