New York Liberty and Ant International’s Alipay+ Announce Multiyear Partnership Focused on Empowerment, Sustainability and Youth Development

Ant International’s Alipay+ Named an Official Sponsor and Innovation Partner for Sustainability of the Team

NEW YORK & SINGAPORE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The New York Liberty and Ant International’s Alipay+, a leading cross-border fintech services platform based in Singapore, today announced a multiyear partnership, making Alipay+ an Official Sponsor and Innovation Partner for Sustainability of the New York Liberty. Through this partnership, Alipay+ and the Liberty will jointly support community programs designed to advance community empowerment, environmental sustainability and youth development across New York City.

“Our partnership with Alipay+ goes beyond the game,” said Keia Clarke, Chief Executive Officer, New York Liberty. “Together, we are investing in the future of New York—its people, its environment, and its youth. Ant International’s commitment to community empowerment, sustainability and digital innovation makes them an ideal partner for our mission.”

"To us, the story of New York Liberty embodies the legendary New York spirit: one of incredible talent, passion, teamwork and perseverance,” said Douglas Feagin, President of Ant International. “These winning qualities echo strongly with the Alipay+ community, where young entrepreneurs and global institutions partner up to push the frontier of innovation for underserved communities and small businesses. We are honored to support the Liberty, and look forward to learning from all other Liberty partners in its sustainability and youth programs."

Alipay+ will become a key contributor to the team's community-driven initiatives on community empowerment, environmental conservation and youth development. These will include three main areas:

• Community Empowerment: Alipay+ will partner with the Liberty to provide resources and digital tools to empower local communities and foster greater confidence and resilience.

• Sustainability: Alipay+ will support the Liberty and its community in urban reforestation and other conservation initiatives, such as Threes for Trees, whereby trees are planted for every three-pointer made by the Liberty during the season; and a community project to mobilize recycling of used shoes and fund the refurbishing of public basketball courts.

• Youth Sports and Technology Skills Development: Alipay+ will support projects for youth sports and technology training, including a series of youth-focused workshops and clinics to be co-designed and introduced with local partners and tutors, centered on digital skills, technology access and financial literacy, helping to bridge the digital divide and inspire the next generation of leaders.

To launch the partnership, Alipay+ supported the Liberty’s Shoe Sorting Day on December 18, as part of the team’s Season of Giving initiatives. Volunteers sorted donated sneakers for distribution to students experiencing homelessness across New York City, along with handwritten notes of encouragement to uplift them during challenging times. Beyond meeting an immediate need, the initiative also removes quiet barriers that can affect confidence as ill-fitting shoes can keep students from engaging fully. By providing brand-new sneakers students can feel proud to call their own, the Liberty and Alipay+ aim to empower local youth with renewed confidence and belonging.

The partnership will officially tip off next season at Barclays Center with marketing activations including in-arena branding, social media campaigns, and community engagement, amplifying the impact of each initiative across Liberty fans and neighborhoods throughout the city.

About the New York Liberty

The New York Liberty was founded on October 30, 1996 and is one of three original franchises remaining in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). The Liberty have made six WNBA Finals appearances in its 28-year history, and most recently, won the 2024 WNBA Championship. Owned by Joe and Clara Tsai, owners of the Brooklyn Nets, the Liberty play its home games at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center. For more information, please visit www.nyliberty.com.

About Alipay+

Ant International's Alipay+ is a global cross-border payment and digitization gateway connecting global merchants to the Asia-Pacific digital wallet community. We offer fintechs and merchants innovative cross-border digital payment and travel services solutions, to enable seamless consumer experience while opening new growth opportunities for businesses, especially small businesses across the world.