Member Article

FedEx Names Ruud Gullit as Ambassador of UEFA Europa League Sponsorship

FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp (NYSE: FDX) and the world’s largest express transportation company, announces Dutch footballing legend, Ruud Gullit, will act as ambassador during its third season as Main Sponsor of the UEFA Europa League (UEL).

Gullit, widely considered one of the greatest players of his generation, has played professionally for a number of clubs in Italy, England and the Netherlands, as well as captain of the Dutch National Team. He went on to successfully manage several clubs before building a career as a football commentator.

“FedEx wanted an ambassador that UEFA Europa League fans would recognise, one who is highly regarded for his knowledge and expertise, and reflects not only the values of the FedEx brand but our ambitions in sponsoring such a prestigious tournament. Gullit stood out as a natural fit,” said David Binks, president of FedEx Express in Europe and CEO of TNT.

The UEFA Europa League is the largest club competition in the world, bringing together 190 teams from across Europe. This will be the first time Gullit has acted as ambassador for a sponsor in a major European tournament, and the first time FedEx, as Main Sponsor, has engaged an individual as its ambassador.

“It’s an honour to be an ambassador for a sponsor so committed to engaging fans with the passion and excitement of European football. The FedEx social responsibility program is doing great things connecting communities to the sport at a grass roots level. This shared belief that football offers an arena that brings people, even countries, together, is something I’ve seen in my own career and something that, as an ambassador for FedEx, I’m excited to be part of,” said Gullit.

Since becoming Main Sponsor of the UEL competition, FedEx has worked in collaboration with the UEFA Foundation for Children on ‘Field in a Box’™. The program is focused on the delivery of community football fields in order to maximise the possibilities for young people in underserved areas to benefit from the football for good movement. ‘Field in a Box’™ is delivered as part of the FedEx Cares initiative, where FedEx will invest $200 million USD in more than 200 communities by the year 2020, to create opportunities and deliver positive change around the world.

Gullit is also known for his work with the charities Laureus, UNICEF and The Dutch Post Code Lottery. He is one of eight Academy Members of ‘Laureus Sport for Good’ worldwide.

Fans of the UEL competition and followers of the FedEx Performance Zone on uefa.com can look forward to the insight of an ex-professional player and manager to interpret statistical data. Gullit’s unique perspective will provide fans with analysis and opinion as he reviews and previews matches throughout the knock-out stage of the tournament, identifying game changing moments in past games and anticipating those that will matter in forthcoming fixtures.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by FedEx .