Emirates Supports NBA Cares Community Project in San Antonio

Emirates and NBA Cares Upgrade Community Centre for Local Youth

Emirates has partnered with NBA Cares to unveil a renovated gymnasium and multi-purpose room at The Denver Heights Community Centre (DHCC) in San Antonio as part of the NBA Cares Finals Legacy Projects programme.

The initiative is part of Emirates’ partnership with the NBA and its ongoing community engagement efforts in the United States, focusing on supporting youth by expanding access to recreational and educational spaces.

The renovated facility was officially opened during a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by representatives from the airline, the NBA and the San Antonio Spurs. Local youth from The Denver Heights Community Centre also participated in the event and were among the first to experience the upgraded facilities.

Those present at the opening included Gina Ortiz Jones, Mayor of San Antonio; R.C. Buford, CEO of Spurs Sports & Entertainment; Patricia Mejia, Chief Impact & Inclusion Officer; San Antonio Spurs players Harrison Barnes and David Jones Garcia; NBA Commissioner Adam Silver; and Matthew Jones, Emirates Vice President for the USA.

The Denver Heights Community Centre serves local families and young people by providing recreational programmes, educational opportunities and access to community resources. The refurbishment project was designed to enhance these facilities and create an updated environment for community activities.

Upgrades to the gymnasium and multi-purpose room include new fitness equipment, scoreboards, backboards, flooring, graphics, paintwork and tiling. The multi-purpose room has also been equipped with updated technology and gaming devices to support youth engagement and learning activities.

As part of the initiative, the airline presented participating children with backpacks from its ‘Aircrafted by Emirates’ collection. The bags are produced using repurposed Economy Class seat fabric sourced from the airline’s ongoing aircraft retrofit programme and contain co-branded Emirates and NBA merchandise.

Following the ceremony, a commemorative plaque recognising Emirates’ and the NBA’s contributions to the refurbishment project was installed at the facility. The celebrations concluded with a Jr. NBA and Jr. WNBA youth basketball clinic, giving local children the opportunity to participate in coaching and basketball activities.

Emirates is the Official Global Airline Partner of the NBA, the Title Partner of the Emirates NBA Cup and the presenting partner of the NBA Cares Finals Legacy Projects. Through its partnership with the league, the airline supports a range of community and youth-focused initiatives linked to basketball and education.

The airline currently serves 12 destinations across the United States, including Boston, Los Angeles, Houston, Chicago, Washington D.C., Seattle, Newark, Dallas, San Francisco, Miami, Orlando and New York JFK.

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