Delta Adds Official Airline to Lakers Deal

Delta Air Lines and the Los Angeles Lakers have agreed to a new multi-year sponsorship agreement that will make Delta an exclusive and official airline partner of the back-to-back champions, while it continues to serve as the official charter carrier for the team. The new deal will the start at the beginning of the 2011-12 season.

"We're thrilled to extend our partnership with the Los Angeles Lakers, a world-class championship team that is a favorite for so many of our customers in a market that is a critical part of the Delta network," said Tim Mapes, Delta's Senior Vice President Marketing. "We continue to proudly serve the team as their exclusive charter airline, and we're honored to now join them as an official sponsor. The Los Angeles Lakers are an exceptional addition to our strong roster of marquee sports sponsorships, and this affiliation expands our sports investments from coast-to-coast."

"The deal is across all platforms and very customer-centric," said Tim Harris, Senior Vice President, Business Operations and Chief Marketing Officer for the Lakers. "The Lakers partnership with Delta gives our season ticket holders and our fans the opportunity to fly and enjoy top notch customer service with Delta just like the team."

The Lakers join the Atlanta Braves, Minnesota Twins, Memphis Grizzlies, New York Knicks, New York Mets, New York Yankees, New York Rangers and New York Liberty, among other team properties that the airline currently sponsors.