Jet & Etihad Airlines jointly sponser Mumbai Indians

Defending champions in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Mumbai Indians will reportedly be sponsored jointly by the Indian airlines Jet Airways and the national airline of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Etihad Airways.

The two airlines have jointly agreed to be the principal sponsors and official airlines of the team in the upcoming season of the IPL.

According to the officials, the IPL deal is the Abu Dhabi-based airline's first high-profile sports sponsorship in the region, which underscores its expanding commitment to the Indian market. The two airlines had previously jointly hosted the Manchester City FC football coaching clinics in Mumbai and Delhi in December 2013.

The highlights of the sponsorship agreement is the display of extensive Etihad Airways and Jet Airways branding and messaging beamed across LED pitch-side advertising and on giant screens in the stadium, along with their logos being displayed on the team's shirts and merchandise.

This will be seen during all the home matches of the Mumbai Indians, including the tournament's first game which is scheduled to be played at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on April 16 against Kolkata Knight Riders.