Wheels Up Partners with NFL Players Association to Launch Community Outreach Programs and Extend Private Aviation Benefits to Players

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Jul 13, 2021, 09:00 ET

NEW YORK, July 13, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Wheels Up, the leading brand in private aviation, announced today a new partnership with the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) providing cross-platform experiences and exclusive access for members of both organizations. The initiative also focuses on the NFLPA Community MVP program, which recognizes one player each week during the regular season who has demonstrated a commitment to making a positive impact in his hometown or team city. The weekly Community MVP winners become eligible for the NFLPA Alan Page Community (APC) Award, which is the highest honor that the NFLPA can bestow upon a player.

As part of the collaboration, for every Core membership sold in connection with this partnership, Wheels Up will donate $1,000 to the NFLPA Community MVP program, which distributes funds to the foundation or charity of choice of each weekly Community MVP winner. Wheels Up will also participate in the NFLPA's Externship Program to provide professional opportunities and mentorship in areas NFL players may want to pursue after their playing career.

Looking ahead, Wheels Up and NFL Players Inc., the NFLPA's marketing and licensing business arm, will also collaborate on existing NFLPA events and experiences such as the annual NFLPA Rookie Premiere and the NFLPA VIP Party, a private, star-studded event held during Super Bowl week. NFL players will also receive exclusive benefits on the Wheels Up platform.

"Wheels Up is proud to team up with the NFLPA and introduce the NFL players and their families to our total aviation solution for their personal and professional travel needs," said Stephanie Chung, Chief Growth Officer at Wheels Up. "We have always aligned with individual champions throughout the NFL, such as Russell Wilson, J.J. Watt, and Tom Brady to launch our Meals Up initiative with Feeding America, and are thrilled to further our philanthropic relationship with all players through ongoing initiatives that give back to our communities."

"NFL players around the league dedicate their lives to protecting their communities and finding ways to serve their hometowns and team cities – even during the season when time off the field is very limited," said Gina Scott, Vice President of Partner Services at NFL Players Inc. "Partnering with such a trusted private aviation company like Wheels Up that also puts an emphasis on philanthropic programs reinforces the power and impact players make in their communities and aligns with the shared values of our membership."

The SPAC merger between Wheels Up and Aspirational Consumer Lifestyle (NYSE: ASPL) is expected to close on July 13th. The Company recently announced record revenues of $261.7 million for Q1 of 2021, up 68% from the prior year and had a 56% increase from the prior year in active members.

About Wheels Up

Wheels Up, the leading brand in private aviation, is the only company in the industry to offer a total private aviation solution that includes world-class safety, service, and flexibility through on-demand private flights across all cabin classes, membership programs, corporate solutions, aircraft management, whole aircraft sales, and commercial travel benefits through a strategic partnership with Delta Air Lines. Wheels Up, which was founded and is led by renowned entrepreneur Kenny Dichter, is uniquely positioned to offer its Customers and Members access to over 1,500 safety-vetted and verified aircraft.

Through the Wheels Up App anyone can search, book, and fly. Wheels Up Connect, Core, and Business memberships provide enhancements such as flight sharing, empty-leg Hot Flights, Shuttle Flights, Shared Flights, signature Wheels Down events, and exclusive member benefits from preeminent lifestyle brands. The Company's ongoing Wheels Up Cares program aligns with philanthropic organizations and initiatives that affect and matter to the Company and its customers, members, stakeholders, families, and friends. The Wheels Up Cares fleet is comprised of five custom painted Beechcraft King Air 350i aircraft; each plane serves as a flying symbol for a specific cause.

All Wheels Up flights are operated by our DOT/FAA-authorized air carrier subsidiaries (Wheels Up Private Jets LLC, Gama Aviation LLC, Mountain Aviation LLC, Sterling Aviation LLC, and TWC Aviation LLC) or by an approved vendor air carrier that has undergone our safety assessment.

Wheels Up Media Contact:
JONESWORKS
[email protected]

About NFLPA

The National Football League Players Association is the union for professional football players in the National Football League. Established in 1956, the NFLPA has a long history of assuring proper recognition and representation of players' interests. The NFLPA has shown that it will do whatever is necessary to assure that the rights of players are protected—including ceasing to be a union, if necessary, as it did in 1989. In 1993, the NFLPA again was officially recognized as the union representing the players and negotiated a landmark Collective Bargaining Agreement with the NFL. The current CBA will govern the sport through the 2030 NFL season. Learn more at www.nflpa.com.

NFL Players Inc., the licensing and marketing arm of the NFLPA, connects businesses to the power of NFL players. NFL Players Inc. creates customized business solutions for partners, through licensing, marketing strategy and player activations. For more information, please visit nflpa.com/players.

SOURCE Wheels Up