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    Photo: Knicks Reveal Jersey Logo Patch for 'Experience Abu Dhabi' for 2024 NBA Season

    Doric SamOctober 17, 2024

    DETROIT, MICHIGAN - MARCH 27: A detail is pictured of the New York Knicks uniform and New York Knicks logo during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on March 27, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
    Nic Antaya/Getty Images

    The New York Knicks will have a new sponsor represented on their jersey patch for the 2024-25 season.

    Per The Athletic's Mike Vorkunov, the logo of Experience Abu Dhabi, an organization that promotes tourism in the United Arab Emirates capital, will be included on Knicks jerseys, warmup jackets and shooting shirts.

    NEW YORK KNICKS @nyknicks

    Experience Abu Dhabi named the Official Patch Partner of the New York Knicks.<br><br> Full press release: <a href="https://t.co/1xvulISmXR">https://t.co/1xvulISmXR</a> <a href="https://t.co/Pc4e4AWePa">pic.twitter.com/Pc4e4AWePa</a>

    Vorkunov added that the deal to have the Experience Abu Dhabi logo as the jersey patch for the Knicks "will further the relationship between Madison Square Garden and the UAE, as well as between the NBA and UAE." As part of the deal, Experience Abu Dhabi will also have advertising before, during and after Knicks games on MSG Network.

    The deal follows an announcement from earlier this week that MSG will open a second version of the Sphere in Abu Dhabi. The Sphere, which is located in Las Vegas, and MSG are both controlled by Knicks owner James Dolan. The Sphere was the team's jersey patch last season.

    In addition to the Knicks' partnership with the UAE, the deal expands the NBA's business ties to the region. The league has played preseason games in the UAE for three straight years, and Team USA played exhibition games there in preparation for the Paris Olympics this past summer. The NBA Cup is sponsored by Emirates Airlines.

    Vokunov noted that the NBA has been criticized for these dealings because of the UAE's alleged history of human rights violations, leading some to accuse the league of being complicit in sportswashing. NBA commissioner Adam Silver addressed those criticisms earlier this month.

    Photo: Knicks Reveal Jersey Logo Patch for 'Experience Abu Dhabi' for 2024 NBA Season
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    "We're happy to deal directly with the issues. Nothing these days is completely clean," Silver said 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."