Virgin America will sponsor the San Francisco Giants for the next two years after reaching an agreement with the Major League Baseball (MLB) side.

The airline, which is partly owned by British entrepreneur Richard Branson's Virgin Group, is based in San Francisco, and will serve as the team's official airline until the end of 2011. It will receive branding, corporate hospitality and adverts throughout the team's stadium.

The Giants, based in New York until 1957, have won the most games of any US baseball team. They also have the most members in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

"As the only airline headquartered in San Francisco, we’re thrilled about this partnership with our hometown team as it will enable us to show our support and continue to grow our community footprint," said Porter Gale, vice president of marketing for Virgin America.