Turkish Airlines to Sponsor US Football Side

“We truly believe sports has the ability to unite cultures and nations, therefore we are glad to be a part of this partnership,” he added. “The business of soccer continues to grow rapidly in the United States, and Indy Eleven is proud to be in cooperation with Turkish Airlines as the airline further establishes itself in America,” said Ersal Ozdemir, owner of Indy Eleven.

“This partnership will expand the reach of Indy Eleven’s growing brand across the United States and the world,” he added. Tuesday’s deal adds to Turkish Airlines' growing portfolio of sports sponsorship. Europe’s top-flight club-basketball competition -- the Turkish Airlines' Euroleague -- will retain the company’s name as title sponsor until 2020.

Domestically the airline is the official transport partner of Turkey’s national football team and Turkish clubs Galatasaray, Besiktas, Trabzonspor, Basaksehir, Bursaspor and Konyaspor. Between 2015 and 2016 the company was the kit sponsor of Bosnian football side, FK Sarajevo. Meanwhile, the flag carrier also has a three-year deal as main sponsor of the European Rugby Champions Cup and the European Rugby Challenge Cup. The airline was also an official partner of the UEFA Euro 2016 competition held in France, a first in the tournament’s 56-year history. (By Tuba Sahin, AA, ANKARA)