Euroleague, Efes Pilsener renew partnership

Efes' global brand Efes Pilsener announced that it extended its Euroleague sponsorship for another three years. Euroleague is a tournament that brings the continent's most distinguished teams together. Euroleague CEO and President Jordi Bertomeu and Anadolu Efes, Beer Group President Alejandro Jimenez attended the press conference on May 9th at İstanbul Çırağan Palace Kempinsky. 

Mentioning that Efes has been by their side for the past three years, Euroleague CEO and President Jordi Bertomeu said: 
"Efes has been a kind, generous and creative partner for us for the past three years. I'm very happy that Efes' support will continue for another three years. With the support it provides, Efes proves its commitment to basketball and to the fans of the sport. As Euroleague, we seek to have long term partners. We believe that our relationship with Efes will be long standing. We will continue to work to add value to our partners in the Euroleague family." 

Stating that they always supported the development of basketball in Turkey, Anadolu Efes, Beer Group President Alejandro Jimenez said: 
"Three years ago we started supporting basketball on an international level and we're determined to continue our support in the upcoming years. The protocol we signed today is a strong proof of this. We're happy to be supporting a distinguished event such as Euroleague. This tournament where Europe's best teams compete increases interest in basketball. I hope to see one or two Turkish teams in the Final Four at the next tournament. When I take into account the fact that the quality of Turkish basketball has increased in the last few years, I see that my wish is not a dream." 

Efes Pilsener is Euroleague Basketball’s global sponsor 

Supporting sports for years, starting with basketball, Efes' global brand Efes Pilsener became Euroleague's official sponsor within the scope of the sponsorship agreement signed with Euroleague Basketball on May 9. A constant supporter of sports, Efes signed the agreement which comprises the regular season, the Top 16, playoffs and Euroleague Basketball Final Four. 

Final Four excitement in Istanbul 

The Euroleague Final Four, which will determine the 2012 Euroleague champion, will take place between May 11 and 13 at İstanbul Sinan Erdem Dome. Panathinaikos, CSKA Moscow, FC Barcelona Regal and Olympiacos will battle for the title. Among them, CSKA and Panathinaikos have been Euroleague champions six times each; Regal Barcelona won the title twice and Olympiacos has done so on one occasion. 

“We are here to announce an extension for the next three years of Efes Beer Group as a Euroleague global sponsor,” Anadolu Efes Beer Group President Alejandro Jimenez said Wednesday at Ciragan Palace. “We are proud to be sponsor. Euroleague Basketball met the expectations we had three years ago and has surpassed them since. Basketball has become a more and more popular game. Efes’s relationship with basketball goes back to 1976 as a team. Each year since Efes has consistently supported basketball. We consider it our social responsibility. It is good for families, women and children. We have worked with Euroleague Basketball since 2000 and under Jordi Bertomeu basketball has been taken to new heights. We are proud to extend this partnership and to be able to announce it in Istanbul, our home. Over the next couple of days, you will be able to see some of the best basketball in the world. It’s a shame that no Turkish team will be playing, but it’s still going to be amazing.” 

“We are very happy to be here for this announcement,” Euroleague CEO and President Jordi Bertomeu said at the media conference. “We want to express our deepest gratitude to Efes for their longstanding commitment to the sport. It goes beyond these three years. Now it’s our turn to not disappoint Efes’s expectations. They have done their homework, now it’s our turn. Loyalty is important for us. We share a commitment to working together. We know that we can work together, grow and be better. Activities such as the gala dinner, the cheerleader contest and the Devotion Fan Zone are just examples of how that cooperation has flourished. We wish to express our gratitude for this. Over the next three years, we will be deepening relations and we hope in three years’ time we can announce yet another extension.”