NBA

Knicks swap ‘Sphere’ patch for ‘Abu Dhabi’ jersey sponsorship

By
Stefan Bondy
Published Oct. 17, 2024, 10:05 p.m. ET

The Knicks uniforms will have a Middle East vibe.

“Ex༺perience Abu Dhabi” was announced Thursday as the new sponsorship patch on a “multi-year deal,” with its logo imprinted on the left shoulder of Knicks jerseys, warm-up jacke🌳ts and jersey shirts.

“Experience Abu Dhabi” is about promoting tourism in the United Arab Emirates and operated b♎y government official Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, who is also the UAE’s chairman of he Department of Culture and Tourism.

Knicks players will be wearing a patch on their jerseys from "Experience Abu Dhabi" this season.
Knicks players will be wearing a patch on their jerseys from “Experience Abu Dhabi” this season. @nyknicks / X

The NBA has already planted its flag in Abu💞 Dhabi as it𒆙s Middle East hub, moving preseason games to the oil-rich nation in the past three years.

The Knicks haven’t played in ☂those games, but the new sponsorship 🐷may turn them into a participant.

Abu Dhabi and MSG Entertainmen𓆉t also have a separate marketing agreement.

“These are significant, multi-faceted marketing partnerships for both the MSG Family of C𓃲ompanies and DCT♐ Abu Dhabi,” said Jamaal Lesane, Chief Operating Officer, MSG Sports, in a statement.

“Experience Abu Dhabi” replaces “The Sphere” patch from last season, wꦓhen MSG couldn’t find a sponsor to pay its desired price for the advertising space so it promoted James Dolan’s fledgling entertainment venue in Vegas.

Accord𝄹ing to a Sports Business Journal report from 2023, MSG was targeting a $30 million per year deal for the 2 ½-inch by 2 ½-inch uniform space.

Financial terms for the new sponsorship were not released but the Knicks, a marquee NBA brand, are likely to command top dollar. The Warriors had the m⛎ost lucrative sponsorshi✤p deal, taking in $45 million annually from Rakuten.

Landry Shamet posted an upbeat but vague message on social media about recovering from his nasty shoulder injury.

“Appreciate all of the prayers and well wishes,” Shamet wrote. “This is just the next obstacle and to be afraid of an obstacle would go against everythi𒊎ng that I am — I welcome them. I’m attacking 🌠this rehab. Back soon.”

Shamet’s right shoulder appeared to rip from its socket as he swatted at a layup attempt during Tuesday’s preseasꩵon victory over the Hornets.

Shamet, who was tracking toward a rotation spot, darted to th🍎e lockeಞr room and never returned. He was spotted at the practice facility Wednesday in a sling, but the Knicks haven’t provided an update.

The veteran guard is on a non-guaranteed deal ꩵand risks losing his contract wort⛄h over $2 million if the injury keeps him out long term.