Emirati Football Star Yahya Al Ghassani Becomes Official Sports Sponsor of Baze E-Sports Team

UAE national football star Yahya Al Ghassani signed a three-year deal to become the official sports sponsor of Buzz Esports, marking a significant bridge between traditional sports and gaming in the Emirates. The partnership reflects the UAE's growing focus on esports as part of its creative economy vision.

Al Ghassani, who plays for both the UAE national team and Shabab Al Ahli club, will have his logo featured alongside the Buzz Esports team branding on jerseys worn by Emirati players competing in local and international tournaments. The deal covers both men's and women's teams.

This partnership comes at a time when esports is gaining serious momentum in the UAE. Abu Dhabi and Dubai now host major tournaments and specialized gaming centers, backed by both government initiatives and private investment. The UAE's digital gaming market hit $1.16 billion in 2024, with expectations to double in the coming years.

The signing ceremony brought together Al Ghassani, Abdullah bin Baz (founder and CEO of Buzz Station Group), Mohammed Al Shamsi (Buzz Station Group member), and Jasim Al Shaheemi (General Manager of Buzz Esports).

"Joining Buzz Esports as a sports sponsor shows my complete faith in our youth's abilities in new fields," Al Ghassani said. "I want to be part of their journey toward excellence. This partnership also reflects my vision of investing in the creative sector and supporting Emirati youth to have a strong presence in esports locally and globally."

Abdullah bin Baz emphasized the value this brings: "Having Yahya Al Ghassani's logo alongside our team logo represents major added value. It embodies Buzz Station's vision of supporting esports and empowering national talents within the creative sector that Dubai and the UAE prioritize for the future."

The timing makes sense from a market perspective. Global esports viewership is expected to exceed 640 million people by the end of 2025. For the UAE, this represents an opportunity to establish itself as a regional hub for digital innovation and creative industries.

Jasim Al Shaheemi noted that linking the team's logo with Al Ghassani's brand gives them significant momentum and opens doors for stronger presence in regional and global championships. It shows mutual confidence between a national sports icon and a professional Emirati team building its presence internationally.

The three-year commitment provides strategic stability for Buzz Esports, positioning it as one of the region's prominent professional teams. More importantly, it demonstrates how traditional sports figures are recognizing esports as a legitimate investment opportunity and growth sector in the UAE's diversified economy.