Fanatics will enter the Middle East via a new office in Doha, Qatar, serving as a hub for operations across the Fanatics enterprise and host members from various departments.
This initiative builds on a partnership signed between Fanatics and the State of Qatar in February, which includes a premier sponsorship of Fanatics Fest, an event in New York City from June 20 to 22, to “establish a pathway for Qatar to strengthen its alignment with the global sports community,” said Fanatics in a media release. The invite-only event will host corporate partners, C-suite executives and select athletes and celebrities throughout the weekend.
Tucker Kain, chief strategy and growth officer at Fanatics, said, “As we expand our portfolio of businesses and brands, it is crucial that we identify emerging markets where there is a real opportunity to amplify the engagement and passion around sports and collecting. We’ve researched and analyzed the sports landscape across the Middle East for quite a while and are excited about what a local Fanatics operation can bring to the region.”
Sheikh Jassim bin Mansour bin Jabor Al Thani, director of the government communications office in Qatar, said, “The establishment of Fanatics’ regional hub in Qatar demonstrates the confidence global industry leaders have in Qatar’s business environment and our strategic location. As Fanatics establishes its regional operations in Qatar, we gain a world-class partner, create opportunities for local talent development and knowledge transfer, and position Qatar at the forefront of the digital sports development globally. This partnership will showcase Qatar’s dynamic sports landscape and foster deeper connections between our region and the global sports industry.”
Image courtesy Fanatics
