Manchester City has renamed its City of Manchester Stadium the Etihad Stadium in a 10-year sponsorship deal with the Abu Dhabi-based airline.
City announced the deal Friday without saying how much it was worth but British media widely reported that the Premier League club would earn more than 100 million pounds ($159 million).
The agreement could help City meet UEFA's financial fair-play regulations, which demand that clubs do not spend beyond their means. City announced a 121 million pound ($193 million) loss in its most recent annual report following lavish spending on player transfer fees and salaries.
Failure to comply with the rules could lead to a ban from UEFA's European competitions such as the Champions League, in which City is scheduled to play next season after finishing third in the Premier League.
''In addition to delivering significant revenue at a key stage in the club's evolution, the agreement creates exciting opportunities,'' City chief executive Garry Cook said.
City's will become the sixth branded stadium in the English Premier League, with the area around the ground called the Etihad Campus.
Arsenal's 15-year agreement with Emirates was valued at about 100 million pounds ($159 million) in 2004, and included an eight-year shirt sponsorship. Etihad already has its name on City's shirts.
Arsenal, Bolton, Stoke, Wigan and Premier League newcomer Swansea are the other topflight English clubs to have sold naming rights to their grounds, although Tottenham and Liverpool are among those considering the maneuver as they contemplate building new stadiums.
