The National Basketball Association (NBA) and
\nAl Mana Fashion Group (Al Mana) today announced an expanded multiyear collaboration to open<\/p>\n
the first brick-and-mortar NBA Store in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the league\u2019s first e-
\ncommerce site dedicated to fans in the Middle East.<\/p>\n
The new brick-and-mortar store, which will be operated by Al Mana and located at Yas Mall on Yas
\nIsland in Abu Dhabi, will open this fall in conjunction with The NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2022,
\nwhich will feature the Atlanta Hawks and the 2021 NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks playing two
\npreseason games at Etihad Arena on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi on Thursday, Oct. 6 and Saturday,
\nOct. 8 at 8 p.m. GST. The NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2022 will mark the league\u2019s first games in the
\nUAE and the Arabian Gulf.
\nThe 500+ square-meter interactive retail and community space will feature a wide range of authentic
\nNBA merchandise and memorabilia, including current and former player jerseys, fan apparel,
\nheadwear, footwear, basketballs, accessories and more from major brands such as Nike, Mitchell &
\nNess, New Era and Wilson. The store will also feature exclusive NBA Abu Dhabi-branded apparel
\nand novelties, as well as a customization area where fans can personalize NBA jerseys.
\nBeginning later this month, NBA fans in the UAE and across the Middle East will be able to shop
\nonline at NBAStoreME.com for the widest selection of authentic NBA products ever available in the
\nregion. The site will be available in both Arabic and English. Fans can register their interest in
\nreceiving updates about the site\u2019s launch by visiting NBAStoreME.com in the coming weeks.
\n\u201cWe are excited to bring the first NBA Store to the UAE and to Yas Mall,\u201d said Tom Foley, General
\nManager of Al Mana Fashion Group \u2013 Sports Division. \u201cWe hope the location evolves into
\nsomething more than a store and serves as a 365 celebration of culture and history of the NBA,
\nacting as go-to place for fans and players alike and a focal point for the game of basketball in Abu
\nDhabi.\u201d<\/p>\n
2
\n\u201cThe opening of the NBA Store in Abu Dhabi in conjunction with our first games there reflects the
\ngrowing popularity of basketball in the UAE and across the Middle East,\u201d said NBA Europe and
\nMiddle East Senior Director, Global Partnerships Steve Griffiths. \u201cThrough this new flagship store
\nand dedicated e-commerce site, we are excited to expand our collaboration with Al Mana Fashion
\nGroup to provide the widest range of authentic NBA products ever available to fans in the region.\u201d
\nFans visiting Yas Mall from Sept. 22 \u2013 Oct. 8 will also be able to enjoy various interactive basketball
\nactivities within an NBA-themed area located in the Mall\u2019s Town Square courtyard one floor below
\nthe NBA Store location, featuring the Larry O’Brien Trophy on display, NBA Jam, NBA 2K23
\nkiosks and pop-a-shots.
\nThere are more than 400 NBA-branded retail stores and attractions worldwide that serve as the
\nleague\u2019s official destinations for fans around the world.
\nThe NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2022 are part of a groundbreaking multiyear collaboration between the
\nNBA and the Department of Culture and Tourism \u2013 Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) that earlier this
\nyear saw the launch of the first Jr. NBA Abu Dhabi League, a youth basketball league for 450 boys
\nand girls ages 11-14 from local schools across Abu Dhabi. The collaboration also includes a variety
\nof interactive fan events featuring appearances by current and former NBA players, a series of NBA
\nFIT clinics promoting health and wellness, and an NBA 2K League exhibition event at Middle East
\nFilm & Comic Con. Additional events and activities around The NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2022 will
\nbe announced prior to the games.
\nFans can purchase tickets to The NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2022 by visiting
\nNBAEvents.com\/AbuDhabi and follow the NBA on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter
\n(@NBAArabic) for the latest updates, news and content in Arabic.
\nMore than 220 male and female prospects from the Middle East \u2013 including five players from the
\nUAE \u2013 have participated in Basketball Without Borders (BWB) or NBA Academy, the league\u2019s elite
\nbasketball development programs for top prospects from outside the U.S. Since 2019, more than 500
\nboys and girls have also participated in the NBA Basketball School Dubai (UAE), a year-round,
\ntuition-based basketball development program for boys and girls ages 6-18.<\/p>\n