Swiss Luxury Watch Signs First Team Sponsorship In The U.S.

Geneva-based swiss luxury watchmaker, Hublot, has upped the ante with the Miami Heat, adding a team partnership with the Heat to their existing endorsement deal with Dwayne Wade. The multi-year partnership marks Hublot’s first team sponsorship in the United States.

“The Hublot brand is synonymous with creativity and innovation, making it a great fit for the Miami Heat,” said Eric Wooworth, President of The Heat Group’s Business Operations. “We are delighted to be in business with such an internationally renowned organization that places a premium on expert craftsmanship and attention to detail in all of their products.”

"Becoming the Official Watch of Miami Heat is an immense privilege, of which I am particularly proud on behalf of Hublot. In signing this historic agreement in the basketball world, Hublot has once more boldly entered a professional sport through the front door. Hence this contract is a perfect complement to our commitments, especially in football (soccer) and Formula 1. In less than six months' discussions and negotiations, Hublot has managed to become indisputably the best established watchmaking brand in this sport, mega-hyped worldwide. Teaming up with the Miami Heat is an honor, and in particular our agreement with Dwyane Wade, forms a perfect extension," said Jean-Claude Biver, the CEO of Hublot.

The major component of its sponsorship of the Heat introduces Hublot as the presenting sponsor for the premium entrances at AmericanAirlines Arena including Gate 4 and both Flagship Lounges. In addition, the partnership designates Hublot as the official timekeeper of the Miami Heat including a game day countdown clock on Heat.com and an official countdown to tip off prior to each Heat game via the courtside LED signage system at AmericanAirlines Arena.

Discussions between Hublot and the Miami Heat began in December 2010. A main component of the deal centers on Hublot's committment to help the Heat raise a minimum of $750,000 over three years for various charitable activities.

"This collaboration with the Miami Heat and its foundation struck Hublot as completely logical. We had already established partnerships with Bode Miller and his Turtle Ridge Foundation, with the Instituto Ayrton Senna, Unicef and the Manchester United Foundation. Since, after all, sharing a passion for time also means making this time precious," added Biver.

Until now the watch company has focused its sports expenditures on celebrity endorsements, including Dwayne Wade of the Heat, Jet Li in martial arts and cinema, Diego Maradona and Manchester United in football (soccer), Maria Riesch, Bode Miller and Dario Cologna in skiing, Ayrton Senna’s family in Formula 1, and Facundo Pieres for polo.

“Dwyane Wade brings together all the talent, power and style to weave his magic on the court, where his physical form becomes an indistinct blur of speed and fluidity, never failing to impress big basketball lovers. His feats in the NBA are already legendary and he played a major role on the gold medal winning USA basketball team in the 2008 Beijing Olympics,” said Biver.

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