It’s a great time to be a basketball fan as the The National Basketball Association (NBA) and Al Mana Fashion Group have announced that an expanded multiyear collaboration to open the first brick-and-mortar NBA Store in the UAE and the league’s first e-commerce site in the Middle East.
The physical store will be located in Abu Dhabi at Yas Mall and launch in October alongside The NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2022 which sees the 2021 NBA champions the Milwaukee Bucks take on the Atlanta Hawks in two preseason games at the Etihad Arena on October 6 and 8.
Both games will commence at 8pm GST and mark the first ever NBA games being held in the UAE and the Arabian Gulf.
We are excited to bring the first NBA Store to the UAE and to Yas Mall,” said Tom Foley, General Manager of Al Mana Fashion Group Sports Division.
“The opening of the NBA Store in Abu Dhabi in conjunction with our first games there reflects the growing popularity of basketball in the UAE and across the Middle East,” said NBA Europe and Middle East Senior Director, Global Partnerships Steve Griffiths.
What’s inside?
Inside the 500+ square metre NBA store, customers will find a wide range of authentic NBA merchandise and memorabilia, including current and former player jerseys, fan apparel, headwear, footwear, basketballs, accessories and more from major brands such as Nike, Mitchell & Ness, New Era and Wilson.
The store will also feature exclusive NBA Abu Dhabi-branded apparel and novelties, as well as a customization area where fans can personalize NBA jerseys.
“We hope the location evolves into something more than a store and serves as a 365 celebration of culture and history of the NBA, acting as go-to place for fans and players alike and a focal point for the game of basketball in Abu Dhabi.” said Foley.
NBA online store launches this month
While fans will have to wait until next month to check out the physical location, the NBA Middle East online store opens later this month and is said to offer the widest selection of authentic NBA products in the region.
The site will be available in both Arabic and English. Fans can register their interest in receiving updates about the site’s launch by visiting NBAStoreME.com in the coming weeks.
“Through this new flagship store and dedicated e-commerce site, we are excited to expand our collaboration with Al Mana Fashion Group to provide the widest range of authentic NBA products ever available to fans in the region.” said Griffiths.
Can I still get tickets to the Abu Dhabi Games?
Yes, there’s still some seats left if you’re interested in going to watch the NBA preseason games this year, so be sure to click here to grab some.
NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal will also be there as he’s been named the event’s official ambassador, so you’ll get the chance to see Shaq Daddy while being one of the first people to witness the NBA in the UAE.
The NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2022 are part of a groundbreaking multiyear collaboration between the NBA and the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi).
The collaboration also includes a variety of interactive fan events featuring appearances by current and former NBA players, a series of NBA FIT clinics promoting health and wellness, and an NBA 2K League exhibition event at Middle East Film & Comic Con.
Additional events and activities around The NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2022 will be announced prior to the games.