SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Spurs on Friday announced a new official team sponsorship with Viva Aerobus, Mexico’s ultra-low-cost airline. The partnership is a first for Viva Aerobus with a U.S. professional sports team. The airline plans to unveil a Spurs-branded Airbus A320 this spring.

Viva Aerobus plans to advertise Spanish-language radio promotions and TV-visible signage throughout the AT&T Center during Spurs home games. The Spurs and Viva Aerobus will collaborate to promote their partnership across social channels. The airline will also surprise one superfan in Mexico with an “unforgettable experience,” including a trip to San Antonio to watch a Spurs game in person.

“Our unwavering fans in Mexico have always been a big part of the Spurs Family and they are deeply woven into the fabric of our ‘Por Vida’ culture,” said Katrina Palanca, Vice President of Global Partnerships for Spurs Sports & Entertainment. “Viva Aerobus embraces the vibrant Mexican culture and values the tremendous growth taking shape in San Antonio. We’re excited to see how this joint venture will help both our organizations create deeper connections with fans in the United States and Mexico alike.”

Exploring opportunities that help bring fans to San Antonio is timely, with five million Spurs fans residing in Mexico, according to the research data group YouGov. Nearly half of those fans live in Monterrey and Mexico City – destinations that Viva Aerobus connects with San Antonio.

“Basketball is a global sport that unites communities and nations around the world, and we are proud to partner with a successful team, winner of five NBA Championships and one with shared core values, such as discipline, passion, determination and perseverance,” said Juan Carlos Zuazua, CEO of Viva Aerobus. “We are excited about this effort to support and connect fans with the Spurs in Mexico and the United States.”

Viva operates three routes from Mexico to San Antonio – flying from Mexico City, Monterrey and León, and is the largest international airline at the San Antonio International Airport. In addition, Spurs fans rank fourth among all NBA fans who say Mexico is their first choice to visit for international travel, according to YouGov.

“This is truly an exciting partnership with our hometown team and our largest international airline. It represents a commitment to our community, something we at the San Antonio International Airport are extremely proud of. It is also a reflection of the trust in our market and significant growth that Viva Aerobus has experienced recently in San Antonio with nearly 40 roundtrip flights per week,” said Jesus Saenz, Director of Airports, San Antonio Airports System.

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