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Major League Baseball (MLB) could allow for sponsorship patches on its teams’ uniforms within three years, the league confirmed to Sports Business Journal (SBJ).
The success of the National Basketball Association’s (NBA) decision to allow for jersey branding, which brings in an average of US$7 million a year per team, has reportedly created ‘considerable interest’ for MLB franchises to follow suit.
Van Wagner Sports & Entertainment confirmed to the SBJ that it had been approached by MLB franchises for evaluations of the potential new inventory. The Excel sports agency, which worked on a couple of NBA patch deals, also told the sports business outlet that it had received inquiries from “curious” teams regarding the marketplace.
“We’re examining the patch, but clearly we have things to work through first,” Noah Garden, MLB executive vice president of business and sales, told SBJ.
“I’d say it’s inevitable down the road, but certainly not immediate. This is something that requires a fairly long runway. There are lots of things to take into consideration, but I think we will get there.”
Van Wagner also told SBJ that deals could be worth between US$6 million and US$8 million, with certain high-profile franchises able to secure more.
The new patch sponsorships would require the approval of the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) as part of the next collective bargaining agreement (CBA), but, according to the report, MLB’s uniform deal with Nike includes provision for uniform patches.
Major League Baseball (MLB) could allow for sponsorship patches on its teams’ uniforms within three years, the league confirmed to Sports Business Journal (SBJ).
The success of the National Basketball Association’s (NBA) decision to allow for jersey branding, which brings in an average of US$7 million a year per team, has reportedly created ‘considerable interest’ for MLB franchises to follow suit.
Van Wagner Sports & Entertainment confirmed to the SBJ that it had been approached by MLB franchises for evaluations of the potential new inventory. The Excel sports agency, which worked on a couple of NBA patch deals, also told the sports business outlet that it had received inquiries from “curious” teams regarding the marketplace.
“We’re examining the patch, but clearly we have things to work through first,” Noah Garden, MLB executive vice president of business and sales, told SBJ.
“I’d say it’s inevitable down the road, but certainly not immediate. This is something that requires a fairly long runway. There are lots of things to take into consideration, but I think we will get there.”
Van Wagner also told SBJ that deals could be worth between US$6 million and US$8 million, with certain high-profile franchises able to secure more.
The new patch sponsorships would require the approval of the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) as part of the next collective bargaining agreement (CBA), but, according to the report, MLB’s uniform deal with Nike includes provision for uniform patches.
